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It is appropriate for a family to mourn a single soldier's death in battle. It is quite another thing for the entire nation to fall apart over one man. A nation that cannot tolerate combat deaths cannot win its wars; or so it will seem to their enemies. We invite attacks if we do things that cause the enemy to question our resolve. Calling attention to a single casualty will do just that. It makes us look like we can't do what it takes to win. That will invite further attacks, albeit to the attackers' destruction. Several here have stated that we Americans value each and every life. If that's true, then we ought to be careful not to do things that invite attack and thus lead to more deaths. We ought to behave in a manner that causes the enemy to fear us rather think us soft.

It is appropriate for a family to mourn a single soldier's death in battle. It is quite another thing for the entire nation to fall apart over one man.
I agree, but I don't see anyone outside the family falling apart. Just the opposite happened in America in spite of our grief over the deaths of so many. I want the world to know how much we appreciate our military. With grief, there can also be class! We are united and the terrorists learned the hard way that they can't get us to our knees no matter how many of us are killed.

A nation that cannot tolerate combat deaths cannot win its wars; or so it will seem to their enemies

Your nation is not saying that it cannot tolerate combat deaths. If it did, there would be an overwhelming majority demanding your guys be bought home.

One can still feel sympathy and empathy for the loss, but it has only served to steel the resolve. I see no talk here of turning tail and running. Just quiet respect.

As yes, even though I am not an American. I mourn your loss.

It is quite another thing for the entire nation to fall apart over one man.

Take a deep breath. Take it easy. The only one coming unglued here is you. Relax. Switch to decaf. Pause and think about the fact that a man died today for you and he didn't even know you.

We ought to behave in a manner that causes the enemy to fear us rather think us soft.

Don't you think three months of dropping bombs, missiles and rockets relentlessly makes a pretty harsh statement? If Osama bint Laden and crew had any talent for estimating the American psyche they wouldn't have attacked us in the first place. If they were using CNN to judge our collective mindset before 9/11 I doubt that they will switch to Free Republic now.

It is quite another thing for the entire nation to fall apart over one man. A nation that cannot tolerate combat deaths cannot win its wars; or so it will seem to their enemies. We invite attacks if we do things that cause the enemy to question our resolve. Calling attention to a single casualty will do just that. It makes us look like we can't do what it takes to win. That will invite further attacks, albeit to the attackers' destruction. Several here have stated that we Americans value each and every life. If that's true, then we ought to be careful not to do things that invite attack and thus lead to more deaths. We ought to behave in a manner that causes the enemy to fear us rather think us soft.

We are weak to morn a loss of one of our own???

Not the way I see it.

Let's look at the score the same way that the talitubbies see it first hand.

Talibin and al Quaida deaths = thousands
U.S. deaths = 1

That don't look weak to me! To be honest, that makes us look damn strong.

The simple fact that there has only been one death is the story. Can you show me any other war ever fought with a death toll like this lopsided? If a talitubbie ever read this death toll, he would have an Ex-Lax moment.