I wonder why it is that by being anti-war, you are assumed to be anti-American and anti-troops.

Two of the most important people in my life are troops. My brother’s best friend and my first love are in the military. At this moment someone I grew up with is standing too near death for my comfort.

That’s right - two people that I love, that I share memories with, that I planned on knowing when I am old, that I intended to introduce to my future husband and children, are in the military.

I support them.

I do not, however, support the war.

Perhaps because my love for them is so dear and so deep that I do not want them to die. Perhaps I feel that our government is being too rash and has abandoned peace and diplomacy too soon and too alone. I cannot at this point with my whole heart and soul support this war.

For the record, however, I am not someone who is usually anti-war. Being a history major, I have studied various wars and their causes from the French Revolution to the Korean War.

I understand that sometimes war is neccessary. I do not feel that war is neccessary right now. I do not have confidence in my government right now and am not afraid to question and say I don’t believe in what is going on.

Just because the president says this is the correct course of action, does not mean he is right. I do not at this point support this war in which the United States is standing mostly alone as a police force in a far off place.

At the same time I am questioning the government’s actions, I am also supporting the troops. How? I do not want them to die. How can I be more supportive than wanting them to live? I love them, even the ones I do not know, enough to question if this is the best thing for them, for myself and everyone else at home, and for the children I hope to someday raise.

I feel that by questioning my government and not blindly following, I am being what is truly American.

When my questions are answered and I am fully satisfied, I may support this war and I may not.

Until then, I am praying for those who retain my right to breathe by praying they still have breath tomorrow and that they didn’t fight and die for politics but a real and just cause.

Stephanie Flowers is a junior English and History major from Humboldt.