I really don't feel like addressing the rest of this thread since it's been done a million times before, but this caught my attention.
""Camp Casey"
Holy fuck, i should jihaad against these morons. Someone far above put it well, way to support the fucking troops. People who enlisted in the army do it knowing that there was a good chance they would have to give their life for their COUNTRY. Those families that are just chilling back in the states, whining about not having they son, daughter, husband etc. with them, are selfish ass-holes. Hell, THEY AREN'T EVEN SUPPORTING THEIR OWN KIN! I have a family member in Fallujah right now with the Marines, and i am DAMN proud of him. And no, he doesn't have some cushy job, he's a fucking grunt, a Cpl, with men under him, for who he will die with, and for. " -Tweaksrockme
This is entirely offensive, one of the worst things I've seen written on here in some time. I'm not entirely supportive of Sheehan, because I see it as an obvious politicization of an issue that from an ethical standpoint shouldn't be made more about Bush than it is about the deceased. However, let me point out a couple of things. First, you should "jihad" against them? This is almost disturbingly ironic, because with events like justice sunday, the actual similarities between the muslim theocracies of the east and the right's perspective on america are striking, and the fact that you'd even use that term is telling. It's also disgusting. Secondly, with regard to those parents "whining" about their sons and daughters dying at war overseas. The concept that these people are selfish, having lost their own children to a war they don't believe in, is possibly the worst thing you could say. How hollow can that feel? That not only has your child died before you, but died for nothing? And as long as they believe it was for nothing, no political argument you make can change that. Sheehan has lost more in this war than you have, than Bush has, than anyone talking about this here has, and to demean that and call her selfish is not only idiotic but callous. I'm sorry she doesn't agree with your views. I don't agree with her that the troops should be withdrawn, either. But show a modicum of respect for the woman and what she's had to go through, because at the moment the way you're talking about this makes you sound like a pretty worthless human being. Finally. Your notion that all soldiers, having agreed to fight and die for a cause overseas should have no regrets when their lives are taken, and that their commander in chief should not be faulted when they, themselves, joined that army... this argument is only valid in so far as the cause they fight for is worthwhile. If they were sent to invade China because Bush lost a game of Mah Jong, that would be wrong as well. For those who no longer believe that the war was just, or necessary, Bush IS accountable for the particular endings of his men. Let me quote in an attempt to bring the point home to you. This man put it better than I can.
" if the cause be not good, the king himself hath
a heavy reckoning to make, when all those legs and
arms and heads, chopped off in battle, shall join
together at the latter day and cry all 'We died at
such a place;' some swearing, some crying for a
surgeon, some upon their wives left poor behind
them, some upon the debts they owe, some upon their
children rawly left. I am afeard there are few die
well that die in a battle; for how can they
charitably dispose of any thing, when blood is their
argument? Now, if these men do not die well, it
will be a black matter for the king that led them to
it".
-William Shakespeare, Henry V, Act IV Sc I
