Locals give their 2 cents about war in Iraq

Congress isn't the only place where frustration with the Iraq War is on the rise, yet there seems no clear consensus about what to do next.

Average Americans - area residents included - also hold divergent views.

"I don't think you can pull the troops out of Iraq," said John Riskalla, 40, of Attleboro, Mass., "Once you committed to doing that, you're stuck. I think we have to stay. I felt the same way (when U.S. forces invaded in March 2003)," Riskella said. "I felt it was a bottomless pit, and I think that's why so many other world leaders didn't think it was such a good idea."

Riskella said he couldn't suggest a timetable for when U.S. troops should withdraw, adding only that it will take "a long, long, long, long time."

Wayde Wilson of Lexington, Mass., disagrees.

"I think (the troops) should (come home). They shouldn't be there anyway," he said.

Wilson said he has no political affiliation and was not initially against the war, but thinks now that the military situation has deteriorated since the capture of Saddam Hussein in December 2003.

"Who knows where (Osama bin Laden) is. If you can find him, we go after him and leave everybody else alone," said Wayde, 40. "Let (the insurgents) blow up themselves. We're killing more of our own than saving (Iraqis)."

Robert Voyer, 83, who served with the Marines from 1942 to 1944 is no stranger to war. A member of the 3rd Marine Division, he fought in Guam during World War II.

Voyer, of Attleboro, says invading Iraq was the right idea, but is critical of the way the war has been executed.

"(We should stay) until we start fighting our real war," said Voyer, who identified himself as a staunch Republican. "I think we need to use our Air Force so we can get what we can. We have enormous power."