This was posted by a "my space friend"
I thought it was appropriate to post here as I listen to the debate on the Senate floor.
I listen to the rhetoric of those playing politics with our troops.
Or as Webb said - politicians who put their words in the troops mouths.
Take a step back, and enjoy Joshua's post.
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You stay up for 16 hours
He stays up for days on end
img src=
![](http://www.allhatnocattle.net/soldier%20cat.jpg)
You take a warm shower to help you wake up.
He goes days or weeks without running water.
![](http://www.rjgeib.com/thoughts/bosnia/us-army3.jpg)
>You complain of a "headache", and call in sick
He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward
![](http://www.talkingproud.us/ImagesPhotoGallery/Caring/Medic4Iraqi.jpg)
You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends
He still fights for your right to wear that shirt.<
![](http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/casket.jpg)
"
You make sure you're cell phone is in your pocket.
He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.<br /><br /><iMG SRC="
![](http://patrickmead.net/wp-content/uploads/blogger/blogger/3787/738/1600/soldier%20praying.jpg)
"
You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you.
He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
<iMG SRC=
![](http://zioneocon.blogspot.com/bloodstained%20road.jpg)
>
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls.
He patrols the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
/><iMG SRC="
![](http://www.texansforpeace.org/endthewar/Graphicsendthewar/Photosofsoldiers%20and%20fighting/SoldiersinMosul011505.jpg)
"
You complain about how hot it is.
He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow
><iMG SRC="
![](http://www.myfilestash.com/userfiles/gdavis8901/military%20in%20prayer.jpg)
"
You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong.
>He doesn't get to eat today.<
><iMG SRC=
![](http://media.youthoutlook.org/images/articles/iraq-photos/lone-soldier.jpg)
><
>Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes.
He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
><iMG SRC="
![](http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40535000/jpg/_40535109_iraqmosulafp220.jpg)
"
You go to the mall and get your hair redone.
He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
><iMG SRC="
![](http://www.smdc.army.mil/SMDCPhoto_Gallery/Eagle/Jun05/077-SFC%20P%20Qatari%20Run%20lr.jpg)
>You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over.
He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
SRC=
![](http://zioneocon.blogspot.com/idf%20soldier%20mourns.jpg)
>
You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight.
He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
><iMG SRC="
![](http://www.jasonfetterolf.com/gallery/albums/Afghanistan/213th_Soldiers_waiting_on_plane_home_Manas_lo_res_04_18_04.jpg)
"
>You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday.<br /><br />He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.<br /><br /><iMG SRC="
![](http://angelingo.usc.edu/vol04issue01/img/articleImages/SoldierBlogs/Exhausted-soldier.jpg)
" /><br /><br />You roll your eyes as a baby cries.<br /><br />He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet.<br /><br /><iMG SRC="
![](http://farm1.static.flickr.com/52/113379291_256e13e57b.jpg)
" /><br /><br />You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting
/><iMG SRC=
![](http://www.touchofhomeformilitary.com/think_about/img/kissforehead.jpg)
><br /><br />You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him.<br /><br />He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.<br /><br /><iMG SRC=
![](http://www.25idl.army.mil/Deployment/OEF%20Afghanistan/Deployment/Small/oef%20mar03_2005%2068th%20med.%20co.%20honored%20rescue%20of%20the%20year01.jpg)
><br /><br />You see only what the media wants you to see.<br /><br />He sees the broken bodies lying around him.<br /><br /><img src=
![](http://www.talkingproud.us/ImagesPhotoGallery/Caring/SoldierDeadChild.jpg)
><br /><br />You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't.<br /><br />He does exactly what he is told even if it puts his life in danger.<br /><br /><img src="
![](http://news.xinhuanet.com/ent/2002-01/24/xinsrc_89f45d87ffb14951b9da0251978d1194.jpg)
" /><br /><br />You stay at home and watch TV.<br /><br />He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.<br /><br /><img src="
![](http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41953000/jpg/_41953998_afp416shadow.jpg)
" /><br /><br />You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable.<br /><br />He tries to sleep but gets woken by mortars and helicopters all night long.<br /><br /><img src=
![](http://www.onlineathens.com/images/041703/war_iraq_death.jpg)
><