An argument against Congressman Braley

Estella Michels' letter (“A true honor to all of our soldiers, Sept. 5”) states: “Bruce Braley truly honors veterans ... It shows Braley really means what he says and deeply cares about our soldiers. Remember him when we vote.”

Is this the same Congressman Braley who disgracefully voted against an amendment to a bill to allow our soldiers in designated hostile fire areas to proactively defend themselves from hostile actions, namely in our current war in Afghanistan? In other words, al-Qaida terrorists get the first shot and we hope they miss. See: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2011-354.

What does Braley expect our troops to do if they see al-Qaida terrorists attempting another terrorist act - get out a stun gun or wave a white flag? Braley does not support our troops with this vote, and yes, we should remember this in November 2012.

Tom Gerhold

Atkins