At this point in the conversation, faces turn red, veins begin to bulge, and tempers flare. "But you have to support the troops," they angrily insist. "Look what they've done for you!"

"You mean consigning me to second-class status under secular law because of religious beliefs I do not hold?"

"Without the soldiers, you'd be speaking German" or some other enemy's language — or worse, they say, "we would be run by communists."

"So?" I retort. "The English-speaking US government is no friend of mine or of justice for all. And I an ideological socialist anyway. At worse, we would trade one set of tyrants for another. Either way, I am not equal, and being unequal, the ultimate effect on my psyche and my happiness is the same. And if I die, I die."

Regarding soldiers, I think we ought to support all people's rights and humanity. Of course, too many of our opponents want all or nothing — to them, supporting the troops means approving of the use of force and standing by the person in the White House. Fact is, they are wrong — dead wrong.

If someone asks me whether I will support the troops, the answer is always the same: "Absolutely, but the best way — and the only way — to support them honorably, morally, and ethically is to bring them home NOW."

My friend Becky's eyes fill with light whenever she talks about her fiancé. Michael is a soldier, a new recruit (God only knows why) who just finished basic training. But now, Becky's eyes are filled with tears: Because the couple have yet to make their relationship legal — thank heaven they are heterosexuals and have that right, although, thanks to the Shrub's rush to war, they lack the time — Becky was not allowed to attend her beau's recent graduation. She was not even permitted to see him. And, she tells me, she won't get that chance, because Michael is being shipped out to goddess knows where to fight a war that even he questions. The last time we talked, a devastated Becky moaned that it will be at least two years before she sees her love again — all because of a piece of paper and Bush's murderous grab for power and greed. How do we support Michael? Send him home to Becky's arms. NOW.