This guy has no idea what soldiers are like or what they think. Even his supposition that the officer corps these days is a bunch of conservative Republicans is manifest nonsense, which you'll realize if you know any officers or bother to talk to them.

I agree, any discussion of why Veterans of OIF/OEF still support the war should at the very least MENTION belief in the mission and loyalty to comrades still "over there"

I usually really enjoy slate but this seems like a mismash of generalizations and half formed theories.

Also, this quote:

"Others are on ice, still awaiting an opening to bring their personal testimonials to bear on American political debate—an opening that will likely never arise."

Seems especially stupid given the plethora of milblogs readily available, including Doonesbury's "The Sandbox" which is hosted on THIS VERY WEBSITE!