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By TIMES WIRES
Published January 11, 2007

"I'm satisfied (he is committing more troops), but I'm not glad. I know that there's probably going to be more casualties. I think if we don't take care of (the terrorists) now, then they're going to be right back at our back door again. ... I just want to know that my grandson's life wasn't just for nothing."

Shirley Missildine, Plant City grandmother of Army Pvt. Jody Missildine, 19, who died April 8, 2006, after an explosive detonated beside his Humvee in Iraq.

"It all sounds good, but the 140,000 troops we've had there haven't been able to do it so far. I guess I would be cautiously optimistic."

Amye Cox, Land O'Lakes Democrat, education advocate and mother of two boys ages 14 and 12.

"I wouldn't say that I was convinced. I have some questions that I don't think were answered. But we have a responsibility of supporting our troops."

Herb Polson, St. Petersburg City Council member who retired from the Navy Reserves after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"I feel as though the president has laid out a strategy to the American people. That he's put the Iraqi government on notice that they are going to have to be responsible for their own government. ... I just hope that all of us will continue to stand strong, not only behind our country, but behind our troops. I agree with the president and I agree with his critics that the American people are not going to stand this much longer."

State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey

[Last modified January 11, 2007, 01:30:47]