Comments on: A son’s pride and a nation’s loss. http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/ Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:44:00 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Vince http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3783823 Vince Thu, 03 May 2007 08:07:39 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3783823 They is honor in putting yourself into harms way for your brothers, ultimately that is why soldiers do the brave things that they do. These soldiers reenlist to defend thier brothers because they are great at thier job and dont want someone less trained to die in thier place. They is honor in putting yourself into harms way for your brothers, ultimately that is why soldiers do the brave things that they do. These soldiers reenlist to defend thier brothers because they are great at thier job and dont want someone less trained to die in thier place.

]]> By: Marie http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3779820 Marie Tue, 01 May 2007 19:13:20 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3779820 Someone -- Is there a nuanced difference between volunteering and being recruited? Someone — Is there a nuanced difference between volunteering and being recruited?

]]> By: txgirl http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3779782 txgirl Tue, 01 May 2007 19:02:13 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3779782 Let's be clear: the words in the piece about "fighting so our families don't have to" is from the <em>father </em>in his last letter to his family before he was killed, <em>not </em>ABC or Charles Gibson. Don't begrudge the father his beliefs -- that thinking is often necessary when people are trying to kill you every day in a desert country a world away from everything you love and cherish. Sometimes that is all they have just to get through the day. I disagree with the poster above who says there is "no honor" in the father's death; to sign your name on a contract, to volunteer because you believe it is the right thing to do based on information from people you trust, is honorable. Whether you are correct to trust in them is another issue altogether... But to follow through on your end of the commitment -- in contrast to those who put you there -- is honorable. To do your job honestly, to the best of your ability, is inherently honorable. And to do <em>that </em>job, under the most difficult of circumstances, which are truly unimaginable to those who have not walked in our soldiers' boots, is inherently honorable. All of the dishonor belongs solely to Bush and Cheney and the officials and mouthpieces who perpetuated the lies that led to and keep Americans in harm's way in this war. <em>That </em>is the true dishonor. ABC News is responsible for the bullshit about the 8-yr-old being "the man of the family now". I wonder how his <i>mother</i> feels about that, whether she thinks it might be a little too heavy a burden to put on those little shoulders right after his daddy's funeral. But at least Gibson and ABC News can walk away knowing they put a good "button" on the end of the newscast, and forget all about that little boy -- er, "man of the family" -- now. They've probably forgotten about him already. Let’s be clear: the words in the piece about “fighting so our families don’t have to” is from the father in his last letter to his family before he was killed, not ABC or Charles Gibson.

Don’t begrudge the father his beliefs — that thinking is often necessary when people are trying to kill you every day in a desert country a world away from everything you love and cherish. Sometimes that is all they have just to get through the day.

I disagree with the poster above who says there is “no honor” in the father’s death; to sign your name on a contract, to volunteer because you believe it is the right thing to do based on information from people you trust, is honorable. Whether you are correct to trust in them is another issue altogether…

But to follow through on your end of the commitment — in contrast to those who put you there — is honorable. To do your job honestly, to the best of your ability, is inherently honorable. And to do that job, under the most difficult of circumstances, which are truly unimaginable to those who have not walked in our soldiers’ boots, is inherently honorable.

All of the dishonor belongs solely to Bush and Cheney and the officials and mouthpieces who perpetuated the lies that led to and keep Americans in harm’s way in this war. That is the true dishonor.

ABC News is responsible for the bullshit about the 8-yr-old being “the man of the family now”. I wonder how his mother feels about that, whether she thinks it might be a little too heavy a burden to put on those little shoulders right after his daddy’s funeral.

But at least Gibson and ABC News can walk away knowing they put a good “button” on the end of the newscast, and forget all about that little boy — er, “man of the family” — now. They’ve probably forgotten about him already.

]]> By: paul http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3779434 paul Tue, 01 May 2007 17:15:56 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3779434 When I was 5, may dad went to Vietnam for about 2 years. I am sad that I missed those 2 years with him. But, I was lucky. My dad came back from Vietnam and finished out 28 years of service in the Air Force. He just died a couple of weeks ago at age 75. At his funeral, there was an honor guard and a 21 gun salute. I was very sad, of course. But much more than sad, I was proud. It was the first time I saw my brothers cry and I cried, too. War is terrible. Death is terrible. Losing a father at the age of 8 is unthinkable. But there are things much worse than dying. Our freedoms don't just happen, they were bitterly fought fore and painstakingly maintained. And it is that pain that makes it possible to exercise the inalienable rights we often take for granted. When I was 5, may dad went to Vietnam for about 2 years. I am sad that I missed those 2 years with him. But, I was lucky. My dad came back from Vietnam and finished out 28 years of service in the Air Force. He just died a couple of weeks ago at age 75. At his funeral, there was an honor guard and a 21 gun salute. I was very sad, of course. But much more than sad, I was proud. It was the first time I saw my brothers cry and I cried, too. War is terrible. Death is terrible. Losing a father at the age of 8 is unthinkable. But there are things much worse than dying. Our freedoms don’t just happen, they were bitterly fought fore and painstakingly maintained. And it is that pain that makes it possible to exercise the inalienable rights we often take for granted.

]]> By: G.I. http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3779390 G.I. Tue, 01 May 2007 17:06:03 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3779390 As the clip said, our soldiers fight so that we don't have to. Too bad, though, that so many citizens were unwilling to do what the soldier cannot: question the actions being taken in their names. If they'd lived up to that one meager duty, that poor eight-year-old would still have a dad. As the clip said, our soldiers fight so that we don’t have to.

Too bad, though, that so many citizens were unwilling to do what the soldier cannot: question the actions being taken in their names.
If they’d lived up to that one meager duty, that poor eight-year-old would still have a dad.

]]> By: drew_ill http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778875 drew_ill Tue, 01 May 2007 13:52:31 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778875 NO eight year old boy should have to bury their father (American, Iraqi, or otherwise). NO eight year old boy should have to bury their father (American, Iraqi, or otherwise).

]]> By: Sean http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778868 Sean Tue, 01 May 2007 13:45:29 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778868 That's sad. That’s sad.

]]> By: Marie http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778857 Marie Tue, 01 May 2007 13:42:20 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778857 If you can take the inevitable tears that will follow, check this link: http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1 If you can take the inevitable tears that will follow, check this link:

http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1

]]> By: George http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778833 George Tue, 01 May 2007 13:25:18 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778833 Shallow, exploitative, manipulative - typical media tripe. Shallow, exploitative, manipulative – typical media tripe.

]]> By: Com-n-sense http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778817 Com-n-sense Tue, 01 May 2007 12:57:25 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778817 All fine and well except for the patriotic bullsh*t about having to die so his family won't have to. He didn't die to keep his family "free". He died because a pack of lies sent him over there to grab the oil. Period. There was no honor in his death because there is no honor in this illegal invasion. All fine and well except for the patriotic bullsh*t about having to die so his family won’t have to.

He didn’t die to keep his family “free”. He died because a pack of lies sent him over there to grab the oil. Period. There was no honor in his death because there is no honor in this illegal invasion.

]]> By: Tobey Tall http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778788 Tobey Tall Tue, 01 May 2007 10:56:56 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778788 That is bad taste propaganda, now do the same exercise to 650,000 Iraqi families or 4.5% of the population , and you just might be able to understand what a sorry position for the Iraqi women and children who have suffered suffering is universal NOT just American That is bad taste propaganda, now do the same exercise to 650,000 Iraqi families or 4.5% of the population , and you just might be able to understand what a sorry position for the Iraqi women and children who have suffered

suffering is universal NOT just American

]]> By: Loo Hoo http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778773 Loo Hoo Tue, 01 May 2007 07:36:56 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778773 Fox news thinks eight year olds should be in charge of families. "Man of the House." Spread the word. Fox news thinks eight year olds should be in charge of families. “Man of the House.” Spread the word.

]]> By: xenon http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778772 xenon Tue, 01 May 2007 07:25:19 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778772 #10 - Amen! #10 – Amen!

]]> By: Steven G http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778766 Steven G Tue, 01 May 2007 07:08:35 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778766 I think this video highlights how dreadful this war is on all the dead - who have families of their own. Hundreds of Iraqis die every day, and in addition to America's war dead, we have over 24,000 wounded. So many lives ruined. What struck me at the end of this video was, however, it's sexist turn, suggesting that a small boy now becomes the man of the family. What exactly does that mean? I don't mean to detract from the meaning of the piece, I just noticed that point and thought it might contribute to the discussion here. I think this video highlights how dreadful this war is on all the dead – who have families of their own. Hundreds of Iraqis die every day, and in addition to America’s war dead, we have over 24,000 wounded. So many lives ruined.

What struck me at the end of this video was, however, it’s sexist turn, suggesting that a small boy now becomes the man of the family. What exactly does that mean? I don’t mean to detract from the meaning of the piece, I just noticed that point and thought it might contribute to the discussion here.

]]> By: Jay Randal http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778758 Jay Randal Tue, 01 May 2007 06:28:42 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778758 Bush does not care about soldiers dying as long as he and Cheney control Iraq's OIL. Bush does not care about soldiers dying as long as he and Cheney control Iraq’s OIL.

]]> By: Stormwatch http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778753 Stormwatch Tue, 01 May 2007 06:05:47 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778753 <em>Comment by Theresa</em> The first one makes sense too: "Heckuva job robbing, ROBBING the youth from our young, Bush.". Comment by Theresa

The first one makes sense too:

“Heckuva job robbing, ROBBING the youth from our young, Bush.”.

]]> By: Theresa http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778744 Theresa Tue, 01 May 2007 05:38:33 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778744 Correction to #17. That should read: Heckuva job robbing the youth from our young, Bush. Heckuva job. Theresa Correction to #17. That should read:

Heckuva job robbing the youth from our young, Bush. Heckuva job.

Theresa

]]> By: molly "Zooey" hatchet http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778742 molly "Zooey" hatchet Tue, 01 May 2007 05:32:17 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778742 <em>**snort** Comment by Zooey — May 1, 2007 @ 12:02 am</em> See me, I'm cute, I can **snort** like a pig. **snort**

Comment by Zooey — May 1, 2007 @ 12:02 am

See me, I’m cute, I can **snort** like a pig.

]]> By: Theresa http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778741 Theresa Tue, 01 May 2007 05:31:11 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778741 And if this illegal war had actually ended on Mission Accomplished Day back on May 1, 2003 (FOUR F*CKING YEARS AGO), this kid would be riding his BMX bike today and his dad would be the man of the family, cooking steaks in the backyard. But noooooo. Now this young boy has other duties. Heckuva job robbing robbing the youth from our young, Bush. Heckuva job. Theresa And if this illegal war had actually ended on Mission Accomplished Day back on May 1, 2003 (FOUR F*CKING YEARS AGO), this kid would be riding his BMX bike today and his dad would be the man of the family, cooking steaks in the backyard. But noooooo. Now this young boy has other duties.

Heckuva job robbing robbing the youth from our young, Bush. Heckuva job.

Theresa

]]> By: GaPeach103 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/comment-page-1/#comment-3778721 GaPeach103 Tue, 01 May 2007 05:16:05 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/30/a-sons-pride-and-a-nations-loss/#comment-3778721 On some teevee channel, one day I hope news readers will spend an entire week reading the names of our fallen servicemen and servicewomen and describing the heartache of their loved ones. And then spend a couple of months doing the same for the innocent Iraqis who are merely "collateral damage." For those who are truly compassion, it will hurt unbearably. For those who are callous and unconcerned, it will form the basis of their indictment for war crimes. On some teevee channel, one day I hope news readers will spend an entire week reading the names of our fallen servicemen and servicewomen and describing the heartache of their loved ones. And then spend a couple of months doing the same for the innocent Iraqis who are merely “collateral damage.”

For those who are truly compassion, it will hurt unbearably. For those who are callous and unconcerned, it will form the basis of their indictment for war crimes.

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