The yellow ribbons that read “Support Our Troops” have lost their meaning. Even a number of our troops don’t want to support the costly war in Iraq anymore.

A study from the Le Moyne College/Zogby Poll indicated that 72 percent of American troops who are serving in Iraq believe they should leave the country within the year.

The majority may be on to something here. The war in Iraq was deemed a failure and provided a somber morale for American citizens.

When the war in Iraq started in 2003 no one really knew what to expect or how long soldiers would be away. A lot of people driving their SUVs were proudly sporting a gold “Support Our Troops” ribbon on the back windshield while the rest of us pondered why Americans were suddenly involved in a war.

The reasons for war were unclear and slogans were given to us as catch phrases (everyone’s favorite, “weapons of mass destruction”) as a modern, implicit form of propaganda. While many, especially in the Bay Area, adamantly protested the war it did little to influence any government decisions.

Here we are, three years later, and the troops feel their time has come to leave Iraq and come home.
To be honest, they never should have gone. It was a war that was launched with scarce reasoning and the result has been a staggering death toll of not only Americans, but Iraqi civilians and soldiers.

Also, the large amount of money spent on the war is an absolute travesty in itself. According to an inspector general’s report the U.S.-led administration is unable to account for almost $9 billion that was spent on Iraqi reconstruction. How on earth do you forget about filing $9 billion? Those are the kinds of numbers you notice.

The money was supposed to be spent on salaries, operating costs, and capital expenditures, and reconstruction between October 2003 and June 2004, according to a report by CNN. But auditors were unable to find documentation stating where the money actually went.

It always comes down to money. People want to know where their money is going, and usually want to support something that will benefit themselves or others. Last I checked the war wasn’t benefiting anyone. And the public’s money is going toward a war that has no future or promise.

So if you really want to support your troops, send them home. It has been three years too long.