Reply #20: That's a pretty callous thing to say

[silverojo]

People dying for ANY reason is a tragedy. If anything, the troops volunteered for a job in which they knew death was a risk--whether the war in question was legal or not.

People who die of accidents or illness never volunteered, and those who die of illness often suffer for YEARS before they die.

My aunt is currently dying of congestive heart failure, and it's truly crass to suggest that her horrendous day-to-day suffering is "natural", and therefore doesn't deserve as much compassion as the death of a perfectly healthy person who volunteered their life for this country.

That's why the troops are said to be "making the ultimate sacrifice". It's something they (for whatever reason) have chosen to do. That's why they're heroes.

Nobody chooses to be in an accident, and nobody chooses to get an illness that will ultimately end their lives.

emmadoggy, I'd hate to be in your shoes when Karma comes back to kick you in the butt for having such a callous view of dying civilians (who are, in fact, the majority of people who die). Try having some compassion for the helpless...that is, after all, what being a Democrat is all about.