This is in response to today's headlines that some Marines (who have been in the ME over 8 months already) may be punished for grumbling about their stay in Iraq being extended.

Dear Mr President:

You are the designated
Commander in Chief.

Let them speak,
freely.
Let the tired soldiers
grumble freely.
For all they are asking
is to go home as you promised,
to speak freely.
They have offered their lives
daily for nearly a year
in exchange
for other people's freedoms to do
just that, speak freely.

Grumbling is not treasonous,
not seditious,
and in no way threatens
the survival of The Unites States of America.

It bothers me greatly
to read in the news
they may suffer additional consequences
for grumbling and complaining,
for asking to go home.

So if they cannot speak freely,
what exactly are they
asked to die for?