Jake Tapper Is Getting Attacked For Asking A Question That America Desperately Needs To Answer

Paul Szoldra,

snip:But here's what's really senseless: Attacking Jake Tapper for asking a question that I ask myself every time I receive an email notification from the Department of Defense that another service member has died in Afghanistan.

Namely: Why are Americans still fighting (and dying) there?

"The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom," the emails all begin, followed by the name, rank, age, hometown, and terse statement of how they died.

My first thoughts when I get these are of sadness for the family. My second thought is always, What are we still doing there?

I was a U.S. Marine on the ground in Afghanistan from 2004 to 2005, so I know firsthand what it's like. I know Americans who have been killed. So, do I get a pass in asking these questions? Is it alright for me to ask this question, because I was there and Jake Tapper wasn't?

"You don't have to be a veteran to judge whether or not the war is or was worth it," tweets former Army officer Andrew Exum.

It's time we have an adult non-screaming-at-each-other conversation about what we want to accomplish in Afghanistan, as well as an objective assessment of whether we are succeeding. If you look at Iraq right now — Fallujah specifically — there are plenty of veterans wondering if their losses there were all for nothing.

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