The cost and the HEROES

[Wolfcsm]

Saw this picture on the Drudge Report this morning. Not sure I think that there is a more emotional photo I have seen in quite a while.

Hal

[MasterBlaster]

Wow. Thats hardcore.

[Lumberjack]

This goes to show the lives that pay the price of freedom.

However, in this war, that cost has been much lower, but the monetary cost has been so much higher. People keep saying that the war is costing sooo much more than Bush predicted, but they dont realize that that alot of that money has gone to saving the lives of men and women in the greatest military in the world. I think I heard that the death toll is up to 600 for the entire war (correct me if I am wrong), and the ratio of deaths to wounded is at least twice the average of most wars (1:6 I believe for this war).


As for the actual picture, it would be much more somber without the civilians standing in the foreground.


America The Proud!

[Tom Dunlap]

If a family member were in one of the coffins I think that the opinion that the "cost" is lower would be different. To the families of the dead soldiers, the cost has been high.

This quote is from the article attached to the picture:

But others at the funeral had doubts. Bob Vollmer, Specialist Sheehan's Boy Scout leader, said: "I support the troops. But I don't understand why we are still over there."

And Specialist Sheehan's, aunt, Dede Miller, said the death had made her think it was time for the United States to leave.

"The insanity needs to stop," Ms. Miller said.

A prayer to all,

Tom

[Lumberjack]

Originally posted by Tom Dunlap
If a family member were in one of the coffins I think that the opinion that the "cost" is lower would be different. To the families of the dead soldiers, the cost has been high.

No doubt.

I was refering to the number of greaving families, not that the individual suffering was any less. This is the (to my knowledge) lowest number of casualties that we have had in any war.

I read yesterday that if you lined up the dead from WWI, 20 across, and marched them into the sunset, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, it would take 4 months for the last person to cross the starting line.

My only point about the cost was that I would rather pay money to use missles from a distance, than blood in person.

[lucky]

A very sad picture to be sure. Unfortunately death is the price of freedom. I must take issue with some of the quote left by Tom.

"I support the troops. But I don't understand why we are still over there."

I love this one. I support the troops but not the war. What a total load of sh!t. People everywhere here are saying that on bumper stickers and such. I have never heard a more patronizing disingenous pile of trash than those words. People do it because its trendy right now to support the troops but they wouldn't be caught dead supporting the war because of partisan reasons. Maybe I'm a simple guy but if you support the troops you need to support the fight also because the troops are in the fight and the well being of the troops is dependent on them being the victors. These people who claim to support the troops what are they really doing anyway? What does support the troops really mean? I had cousins in desert storm. I exchanged letters with them. When a person simply says "I support the troops but not the war" it just sounds phony and hollow to me. Our fighting men are willing to die to preserve freedom, even if it's someone else's freedom. Support the war and the troops and mean it!

And Specialist Sheehan's, aunt, Dede Miller, said the death had made her think it was time for the United States to leave.

Great, this woman is F@#%ING brilliant. Excellent idea lady! Everytime someone gets killed we should go home. Good thinking. If everyone was as smart as this woman we'd still be a british colony or worse speaking japanese on the left and german on the right. This woman should be prized for her intelligence.
John

[Wolfcsm]

Something to think about:

When war was not seen on TV each and every hour, the death tole made much less difference to the general public. For instance, there were 650,000 Americans killed in the Civil Was ( more than all others combined) but there was only a small call that the war was wrong. In fact, folks would ride out and picnic while battles went on - battles where thousands of soldiers died.

Now, it is possible to see the war every minute and have news that is up to the minute. When the public sees soldiers being brought out of a tank wounded _ like last weekend, they have a different reaction.

The popular media is also spreading the word that we killed 600 "civillians" in the uprising this past week. Ok, they are all civillians! SOmeone pointing the business end of a rifle at you and pulling the trigger does not need to have a uniform to be a danger - he, she, it gets shot and killed PERIOD. But we don't see too much of the non sensational side of the war on the popular media.

Seems the media would rather paint our men and women in uniform as killers and pillagers.

Hal

[jamie]

reality reallyhit home about a war when i watched a program on it,

a british journailst crew got an iraqi guide and set off on a mission to report about the war, met up with a US convoy. the convoy called in an air strike for a crossroads, the pilot never checked the co-ordinates and bombed the convoy

the camera was rollin when the impact occured.

i can remeber the exact details on who was wrong and what went wrong apart from there was a fecking huge explosion and th iraqi guide (who wanted to make iraq a safer place and wanted to help the UK tv crew) died.

jamie

[rumination]

I am surprised that picture made it out at all. The Bush administration has placed a media ban on any and all images of flag draped coffins.

[buckduck]

... ahh yes, that would be the EVIL bush administration that won't allow such pictures, as opposed to the enlightened other administrations that have allowed/approved them??? But wait, I have forgotten which administration that would be. With the possible exception of Ford (I just can't recall) every administration would has been faced with such tragedies.... I've just forgotten which one gleefully and proudly published and/or approved of such pictures.

Believe it or not, there are reasons besides being just plain evil (like Bush) for not wanting such pictures widely and constantly published.

[rumination]

Yo, man! Did I ever say it was a good thing or a bad thing? Did I ever say "evil Bush administration"? I was merely stating a fact, so chill, yo!



that being said, I am no fan of Mr. Bush.

[Wolf66]

God bless all the men and women fighting for our freedom.
I live right outside NYC and lost a friend and a customer on 9/11. I support any military action to prevent or deter any more atacks on U.S. soil. My prayers are with all of our troops.

[TimberMcPherson]

I think that everyone supports action that fights terrorism, its just that some actions arent seen as fighting terrorism by everyone.

Not supporting troops is something that only happens when your side looses. As history has shown.

The images are somber ones, its better for them to be seen than hidden from view. One of my mates came back from the falklands burned to hell, was told to stay out of sight in public as it would give the wrong idea about the war.

Tell me whats the wrong idea about a war? The truth?

[rb_in_va]

Do you think it's a coincidence that the 9/11 hearing are taking place now, 2 1/2 years after the attacks? Isn't it an election year? Hmm, makes you think...

[buckduck]

... Amen and Amen.

It is so obvious that the hearings are simply partisan on the democratic side. Why can't these 'officals' just use common sense and not just HAVE to tow a/the party line. That goes for either side that participates in such theatrics with the sole purpose of doing damage to the other side.

.... and rumination... man, I wasn't directing that reply to you specifically, sorry you thought so.... If the shoe don't fit, don't wear it.

But I did know you are..... as you state, not a fan of the president. If you are one of the 7 or 8 people in the northern Hemisphere that don't like him AND don't buy into all this hatred of everything Bush, then God Bless you!