Eagan vet, 58, going back to Army, Iraq

[no name no slogan]

Remember the guy who made those "Liberate Iraq -- Support Our Troops" signs? Well, he's putting his money where his mouth is, so to speak:

At the age of 58, Joe Repya is trading a political battleground for a real one.

After fighting in Vietnam and returning for more combat duty in Desert Storm in 1991, then assuming a key role for the 2004 Bush campaign in swing state Minnesota, the retired lieutenant colonel from Eagan is headed back to the Army -- and Iraq.

"I'm worried about the kidding I'll get from those young soldiers," said Repya, who will give up his post as co-chairman of Minnesota Veterans for Bush-Cheney. "I'm sure the Army will give me an extra set of bifocals."

Apparently, he's done this before: he came out of retirement for Desert Storm, too.

Although I don't agree with his politics, at least he's not a chickenhawk-- although I doubt BushCo would put one of their most loyal supporters in harm's way.

[Worst Username Ever]

1. There needs to be more war supporters doing this.

Ever hear about accounts of world war 2? If people couldn't get into the Army, they would literally commit suicide. You don't see that with this war. People support it but don't want to fight.

[no name no slogan]

2. I agree-- that's why I'm a pacifist

I lost two uncles in WWII, and just lost one last year, due to Vietnam. I've always believed that the best way to get a gung-ho pro-warrior to oppose war is to simply put them in combat-- even for a day. Not in some "ops center" or in a plane, but on the ground, carrying a rifle, getting shot at, in fear for their life.

The experience they have will be enough to get them off war, IMHO.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

3. This guy sounds like an adrenaline junkie

He feels "fully alive" only when he's in mortal danger.