Posted on 08/03/2004 9:24:18 AM PDT by glaseatr
Sorry for the vanity post, but I had too.
I read a letter to my local paper this morning and had to respond to this..hem fine American
His letter.
As we approach the anniversary of 9/11. I'm afraid we shall reach another 9/11 before that date.
911 of our finest young men and women will have died in Iraq, and more than 5,000 have been wounded.
They might not be related to you, but they are like sons and daughters to me.
No matter what yourpolitical beliefs are, they must know they have all suffered and died without just cause.
Could you look their mothers in the eye and say otherwise?
I ask that you think of this when you vote in November.
Here's what I wrote in response.
John Whalen asked a question in his letter, Unjust war in Iraq. Printed Aug 3, 2004. The question Mr. Whalen asks is "Could you look their mothers in the eye and say otherwise?" Referring to his notion that "you must know they have all suffered and died without just cause."
What makes this cause just? Several things come to mind. The fact that from the end of the first gulf war our pilots were being shot at almost daily. The fact that sadam gassed the Kurds killing several thousand people, women and children were hardest hit. The fact that Sadam never fully complied with any United Nations resolutions. The fact that we lost almost 3,000 Americans in just a few hours. And I can go on and on.
To answer Mr. Whalen question, can I look a mother in the eyes. My answer is. I already have. I have had to look a wife, mother, father, brother, aunts, uncles, and dear friends in the eyes and tell them that Adam did not die in vain. That I believe our cause is just, that we will win the day.
You see Mr. Whalen, Adam was my nephew. He was killed on April 29th of this year in Iraq when his Hummer was hit with an RPG. Adam died doing what honorable men do, defending people who can't defend themselves.
Our family's thoughts are always on Iraq. Not because of Adam, because he's home. But because of our other family member still serving in Iraq, My nephew Chris. And dear friends who are getting ready to deploy for the first time, and one very special young man, Pete Southerland.
Pete was wounded during a battle on April 3, 2004. During the battle my nephew took actions that saved his and several others lives. Pete will be going back to Iraq on the 19th of this month to be with his unit. Here is a honorable young man who having been wounded still knows our cause is just, and we will win the day.
Mr. Whalen, it is actions like these, by honorable young men and women that make it possible for people like you to ask questions, or make insane comments. Think of this when you vote in November. If the young men and women who are doing the heavy lifting think the cause is just, wouldn't they know best?
Dave Stacy
Proud Uncle of SGT. Adam Estep and SP4 Christopher Estep.
Brentwood.
RATS.
Second thread I've been on where there's no indication of what happened to a post.
You sound reasonable & rational to me. Sorry to hear about your nephew.
Firstly, I'd like to thank your family for their sacrifices. Now, not to be overly critical but...
Adam died doing what honorable men do
You can't possibly hope for Mr. Whalen to know what honorable men do, or, for that matter, to even understand the concept of honor. Liberals only do what is best for themselves or what makes them feel good.
The idea of sacrificing American lives so that others may be free and we be safer in the future is alien to a liberal. Iraqis will be nothing more than dusky hued pets to a liberal and consequences down the road are to be addressed down the road, if at all.
Otherwise, an excellent letter.
Owl_Eagle
”Guns Before Butter.”
Thank you for you son's service to country. Many prayers for you and him to be safe.
yeah...inquring mind want to know.
Cheif response is to say, read the "list" of the dead. It was not compiled by the government, it was compiled by antiwar types.
They fudged the numbers by including people who died in industrial accidents in Kuwait, died of heart attacks or pneumonia while being treated in Germany, etc.
NOT ALL OF THE 911 DIED OR WERE INJURED IN IRAQ!!!
Over 1/3 of that "911 dead" died in non-combat situations (accidents like car accidents, helicoptor crashes, electricutions, drowning...).
The most extreme example was a woman who had been deployed in Iraq but died while on leave. She was hit by a truck while crossing the highway in Kansas.
The left is pushing for higher numbers. Why don't they acknowledge how these people are dying? Phoney surrenders, roadside landmines (those evil things that Princess Di led a campaign against), a traitorous US muslim soldier who tossed some grenades into an officer's tent (his trial should now be underway, he was dragging his heels because of "sleeping disorders")...
How is this "Bush's fault"?
Remember, the left loathes the military. Why should we believe their crocidile tears?
Yeah.
Unfortunately, 'tis a mystery.
Darn!
Ya went and spoiled the mystery.
Thank you for such a strong, thoughtful response to such a myopic viewpoint by Mr. Whalen. My nephew might be returning to Iraq and he feels it's well worth it. When was Mr. Whalen there?
My sympathies and gratitude go out to you and your family.
None of the peacniks can fathom that there are individuals, such as your son and my husband, who are know the risks and are brave enough to serve their country despite those risks. They have to assume that our soldiers are idiots, because then they would be forced to acknowledge that they are spineless, selfish cowards.
Great response Sir. May God comfort your family for their loss.
Take care,
BC
A liberal friend and I were having drinks last night and he said to me, "How can you voice your support for this war while our troops are dying and you're enjoying a cold beer?"
My answer, "They're over there fighting for me so I can enjoy this drink in safety and freedom. So that I don't have to worry whether this bar will be taken out by the terrorists who want to take all our lives."
At that I said a quick prayer then raised my glass and toasted all of our brave men and women in uniform.
Some vanities are better than others. The best piece of ST*U I've seen in a long, long time. Worth the read.Amen! Good job, Glaseatr!
Hear, hear (sp?)...
I'll drink to that.
U.S. and Coalition Troops Toast BUMP!
Ping.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.