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In Washington, politicians are debating whether the US presence in Iraq is enflaming or calming the almost daily violence in that country. This week, New Hampshire Public Radio presents the views of people who have spent significant time in Iraq. We begin with reporter Dan Gorenstein's conversation with New Hampshire National Guardsman Ray Valas. Valas lives in Bow. He served in Iraq for one year as an Infantry Company Commander for about 250 soldiers.

A new bill looks to lower the drinking age to eighteen for anyone in the armed services. The argument is if they're old enough to fight, they're old enough to drink. But the bill is not without its detractors from mothers against drunk driving to some in the military itself. We'll weigh this debate. Laura's guests are Rep. Jim Splaine, State Representative of Portsmouth and Newington, who is the primary sponsor of this bill. Jennifer Wierwille Norton, Manager of Policy for New Futures, a non-partisan, non-profit group working to reduce underage drinking in New Hampshire. Major General Kenneth Clark, Adjutant General of the New Hampshire National Guard and Representative Richard Marron, Republican Representative from Stowe, Vermont who sponsored a bill to lower the drinking age to 18 in his state.