To understand the families position imagine that the Commander in Chief was Clinton and otherwise the statements were identical. Would you then believe that the loved ones were dishonored? These families feel as strongly about President Bush as we did about Clinton, there is no difference in the emotions. Respect for the Presidency is lost, sadly, by both sides of the political spectrum. Somalia, didn't one of the dead Ranger's father absolutely slammed Bill Clinton for his son's death?
Of course, in that case, many on FR happened to agreed with the father's opinion.
So the question is, is it OK for the family to blame the individual President / CiC for the misfortunes of war that's visited upon them - assuming it's viewed and expressed through the prism of individual opinion of the decisions and policies of the individual POTUS, therefore not really directed at the institution or honor of the office of the President and the armed forces ... as opposed to directing the anger at the office of the President and the armed forces in general?
Politics has become the personality. My frank opinion is that it was right to criticize Clinton and it is also right to criticize President Bush. Debate should be respectful and it is every Americans’ duty to become informed. Mine is a minority opinion, respect for institutions because the provide us with order is gone. There is no respect for the Presidency except by those who respect the President. The adage that reasonable minds can differ no longer applies.