In response to “No fan of ‘Obama’s fan club’ ” (letter, Oct. 28): I find it very demoralizing that a soldier would air his opinion on the quality of his leadership in a public venue.

While the soldier has a right to his opinion and a right to freedom of speech, if I am correct, as a soldier he does not have a right to question the quality or ability of his leadership, especially when the order is lawful, and particularly if it comes from his commander in chief.

The decision President Barack Obama makes [on the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan] ultimately affects not just the soldier, but the soldier’s family as well. I see no reason for the president to be forced into making such an important decision [before he is ready to do so] when, ultimately, it affects far more than just the soldier on the front lines.

As a former soldier, I may not have agreed with all the decisions of my commander in chief, but I certainly respected and followed them.

James McDanielAli Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait

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