In Arab countries the media shows the grieving mother shaking her fist and swearing vengeance and blaming Bush.
In the US the MSM shows the grieving mother reading a statement prepared by her publicist, calling for withdrawal and blaming Bush.
Posted on 01/03/2006 10:20:43 AM PST by kristinn
Early on Aug. 3, 2005, we heard that 14 Marines had been killed in Haditha, Iraq. Our son, Lance Cpl. Edward "Augie" Schroeder II, was stationed there. At 10:45 a.m. two Marines showed up at our door. After collecting himself for what was clearly painful duty, the lieutenant colonel said, "Your son is a true American hero."
Since then, two reactions to Augie's death have compounded the sadness.
At times like this, people say, "He died a hero." I know this is meant with great sincerity. We appreciate the many condolences we have received and how helpful they have been. But when heard repeatedly, the phrases "he died a hero" or "he died a patriot" or "he died for his country" rub raw.
SNIP
Though it hurts, I believe that his death -- and that of the other Americans who have died in Iraq -- was a waste. They were wasted in a belief that democracy would grow simply by removing a dictator -- a careless misunderstanding of what democracy requires. They were wasted by not sending enough troops to do the job needed in the resulting occupation -- a careless disregard for professional military counsel.
But their deaths will not be in vain if Americans stop hiding behind flag-draped hero masks and stop whispering their opposition to this war. Until then, the lives of other sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers and mothers may be wasted as well.
This is very painful to acknowledge, and I have to live with it. So does President Bush.
The writer is managing director of a trade development firm in Cleveland.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
I did not see on your linked site a breakdown of U.S. casualties in the Pacific Theater vs. the U.S. casualties in the European Theatre. Do you have that info?
Their son was the mature one in the family...
Disgusting. They're propping up their son's corpse for the purposes of advancing their own old prejudices.
There should be some kind of contract that our brave warriors can sign that would make it illegal to publicly use there name for anything or in any cause. I'm sure Sheehan's son would be pissed off big time if he only knew. And I am sure he does now.
Nor can he accept the premise that his son volunteered to serve his country. Sad.
I was looking for a way to frame that. You're correct--their son was more mature than these two will ever be. It gives me hope for the future that some children fall far, far from the tree.
"They were wasted in a belief that democracy would grow simply by removing a dictator -- a careless misunderstanding of what democracy requires."
What am I missing here? Wouldn't the FIRST step to help establish a Democracy BE to remove the dictator?
And hasn't their Democracy shown signs of growth? The economy is up, only small parts of Iraq (which is comparable in land mass to Kalifornia) are in unrest, and millions of people have purple fingers from voting for their own Constitution and leadership!
The Washington COMpost. Pandering to liberals, as always. Feh.
I'm sorry their son died, but talk like this takes away from EVERYONE that's sacrificed, soldiers and civilians in any war at any time in history. Liberals. History starts a-new each day with them. *Rolleyes*
How about
... we leave now
... Sunnis conduct a successful coup
... Sunnis free Saddam
... Saddam resumes Presidency.
These idiots need to think.
Their son was indeed a hero. They opposed the war and opposed his choice to serve his country. They dishonor their son with their vocal criticism.
What I find amazing is that some fine American heroes actually do emerge from self-centered "nothing is worth dying for" loons like this. I'm sorry for their loss, but I'm thankful for the willing sacrifice by this fine young man for the cause of freedom. God bless him.
They likely will be.
Have you ever, ever heard a policeman's mother or a fireman's mother or a utility worker's mother or a bridge-builder's mother or a chemical engineer's mother or a fisherman's mother or an airline pilot's mother or a construction worker's mother whine that her son's death was in vain? It's politics, pure and simple.
At some point this nation needs to consider such disingenuous attempts to kill morale as treasonous and react appropriately (one bullet per customer).
In Arab countries the media shows the grieving mother shaking her fist and swearing vengeance and blaming Bush.
In the US the MSM shows the grieving mother reading a statement prepared by her publicist, calling for withdrawal and blaming Bush.
In several years in Iraq, we have lost fewer than the 2,796 airmen killed during WWII in training accidents flying one plane, the B-24, in the Continental U.S.
The B-24 Liberator, in which 2,796 lost their lives in training accidents.
Airplane Accidents in Continental US, By Principal Model of Airplane - Number and Rate: 1942 to 1945
I really don't wanna be fighting ragheads in my back yard although I am prepared to.....Anyone who thinks we will be safer if we leave Iraq at this time is an idiot. They have vowed to kill every last one of us so pay attention to your local mosque.....
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