A reader writes:

Supporting the troops again Steyn. Just so long as they agree with you. If not they are all kinds of bad things. You really are a nasty bit of work Steyn attacking this guy, and I say that as someone who has worn a uniform and smelt a few dead bodies. Ok he doesn’t agree with you but you should treat him with the respect he’s due.

I think there’s some confusion here. “Supporting the troops” is the left’s slogan, and was designed to square the circle of being proudly anti-war without appearing anti-military. I don’t need formulations of artful dissembling. I support the mission.