The following was passed on to me recently after it appeared ina New Orleans newspaper. While the uncertainty and tension of thewar in Iraq has subsided with the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime,much work remains not only in Iraq but also here in thiscountry.

During the height of the conflict, some chose to voice theirdisapproval of the Bush administration’s efforts, resulting inothers voicing their disapproval of those who disapprove. Thecountry music group, The Dixie Chicks, found their popularitytumble after an anti-war remark made by their lead singer.

Here at The DAILY LEADER, we chose to pull a syndicatededitorial columnist after his continued attacks on the war effortand continuous diatribes on the Mid-East situation seemed, in ouropinion, to cross the line of productive debate.

Charley Reese may return to our editorial page in the future.But for now, we think he should, as they say, “chill.”

The freedom for Americans to say what we think and at the sametime be allowed to voice our disagreement is a powerful freedom fewin the world enjoy. However, with that freedom comes conflict, asone’s right to voice their opinion conflicts with another’s rightto disagree.

The poem published below is a collaboration of efforts byseveral Marines serving in Iraq. Frustrated over the anti-warprotests in the early stages of the war, they penned thefollowing:

The poem is entitled, “Wish You Were Here.”

“For all the free people that still protest – You’rewelcome. We protect you and you are protected by the best.

“Your voice is strong and loud, but who will fight for you?No one standing in your crowd.

“We are your fathers, brothers, and sons, wearing the bootsand carrying guns. We are the ones that leave all we own, to makesure your future is carved in stone.

“We are the ones who fight and die. We might not be able tosave the world. Well at least we try.

“We walked the paths to where we are at and want no choiceother than that.

“So when you rally your group to complain, take a look inthe back of your brain.

“In order for that flag you love to fly, wars must be foughtand young men must die.

“We came here to fight for the ones we hold dear. If that’snot respected, we would rather stay here.

“So please stop yelling, put down your signs, and pray forthose behind enemy lines.

“When the conflict is over and all is well, be thankful thatwe chose to go through hell.”

While these words ring so true, and express the opinion so manyof us felt, so too is the right for Americans to disagree.

It is a dichotomy, but one that makes this nation so great.