Bush's War comes to my office door...

[mcscajun]

One of the things I have to sometimes do in my job is address condolence cards to the families of patients who have died. This morning, I found one waiting for me, on a patient I have never seen, with good reason: He was a Marine on his last, but not first, tour in Iraq. He was supposed to be home in just a few weeks, I was told.

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061011/UPDATES01/610110379

I did not know this young man, nor do I know his family; still, my heart ached for both. It was sadder still, knowing he was only 23. So much life was ahead of him, stolen by Bush. :grr: BAS-TARD!!!

Only one small bright light shone in the story; the thrice-damned Westboro Baptist Church, which was expected to demonstrate, was a no-show.

http://www.dailyrecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061011/COMMUNITIES18/610110331/1203/UPDATES01

[brer cat]

1. Thank you for sharing this sad story.

Seeing the young high school students bowing their heads as his procession went by made me hope that maybe, MAYBE, they will learn the evils of war and demand peace.

My thoughts and prayers for peace are with his family and friends.

[whistle]

2. Came to my family last week, my oldest grandson turned 18 on Oct 5

...and on his birthday a Marine recruiter came to his high school. My grandson was called out of class to talk with the recruiter who gave him a bullshit story of opportunities and free education and paid benefits and wonderful exotic locations to visit and selecting his own career path, etc. to join and sign up right there and would not have to actually go into basic training until June 2007 after graduation. He thanked the recruiter and left. Thank God!

[mcscajun]

3. Whew! Your story had me scared there Until I got to the end.

Thank the Universe, indeed.

You have an intelligent and courteous grandson. :)

[whistle]

5. Thank you, I know...but what a line of crap these recruiters are spinning

...to our kids and on his birthday no less and right there in school, not on his lunch period but during one of his classes. I was angry that the school would allow such an intrusion. Not even part of a senior job fair like what comes up in the spring, but giving military recruiters access with an office and posters. I would not be surprised if they actually played Wagner and German military music over the school PA.

[Dem_4_Life]

4. That is so sad...

My boss's son (24 yrs old) is deploying out for his second time next week and I feel for her and her family and hope he comes home safe.

[jimshoes]

6. There's a lot of

fine young men and women dying for no good reason. 2750 young lives snuffed out before they had a taste of life. That is sad enough, but to have died for no apparent reason other than to line the purses of the greediest men on Earth is something for which there is no explanation. To have sent these young people to die for money is as grievous a sin as was ever committed.

[razors edge]

7. Damn sad.

I remember posing for that fake damned picture in boot camp, My expression was similar to his if not outwardly then inwardly. I was pissed that we were lined up like cattle (as always) for the one thing we would take away from that experience that could be shown to our loved ones.

A fake dress blue uniform.

Thats right, a piece of a dress blue coat that does not cover 10% of you body that isn't seen in that photo. It was 1981 and even though GHWB had made a deal with Iran, we were being told by our DIs that we were going in.

As a marine the uniform is the most important thing you project to the world. (as an individual, not counting 5.56 mil projectiles) Blues are not required by enlisted nor supplied by the USMC. They are not cheap. I paid 200+ for mine and that was a long time ago.

Whenever i see a picture of a dead marine who was enlisted class, and sent on to the battlefield before having the opportunity to at least put away a little money, purchase his own, and be fitted properly,(upright and breathing) I am disgusted by the thought that he will then be supplied a set no charge.

But only if they find enough for an open casket funeral. Luckily for the been counters who cut corners by not giving that young man the uniform so frequently shown him during recruitment, that is not very often.

[mcscajun]

8. Thank you for your service.

And for your post. I'm sure most people outside of the service don't know how phony those pics are, or that the dress blues aren't supplied by the USMC. That's pathetic marketing crap.

Don't get me wrong, I have the utmost respect for our Marines. It's their current bosses that make me sick.

[razors edge]

9. It was a surprise to me too.

at the time I was 17 and didn't know any better. I don't regret any of it but looking back and seeing now, how our children are being plied with the same jingoistic BS on steroids, I hate what is being done to them and us.