I'm very proud of our American troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.

They've offered something even Bill Gates wouldn't sell: their lives. Yes,three have given the ultimate sacrifice, and, in the name of partisan politics, people will try to us the names of these three brave men and women, to further their politcal agendas, and I find that reprehensible.

Tell that to anyone who lost a son in the war.

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America's Enemies Are Not Mine

All wars represent a failure of diplomacy

“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” - Stephen Roberts.

I have, though not in the same words. Most parents of servicemen that I have met (and that's a lot) know that we are at war and that men die in war.
They also know that it was a risk their sons were willing to take.

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I will, for their service was honorable and to be commended, and they made it in full cognizance of the consequences.

God bless them.

Oh no! Not THREE! Aaaagh!



Remember a time when soldiers were honored? Wow, have times changed.

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"I should be calling collect from jail for the things I commit each night in my head" - D. Mustaine.

Bobcat1 and Tarheeler, you both missed the point. Bobcat made the comment about how many people have died from other causes so that the low number of troops killed is low in comparison. Even if soldiers were dying at 100 a day we could find other causes of death that are far greater in numbers. It is a ridiculous notion. If someone was upset because of the amount of people who died from drunk drivers. Would you not think a comment like "Oh well more people die from cancer" is first not within the subject matter and second degrading because it marginalizes and minimalizes the deaths of the original subject because they don't add up to the greater number of unrelated deaths.

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America's Enemies Are Not Mine

All wars represent a failure of diplomacy

“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” - Stephen Roberts.

How did I miss the point then? I compared the death rate to other wars that we were involved in. I didn't compare it to cancer or drunk driving. It is within the subject matter and it is not degrading.
It puts the deaths of servicemen into the proper context... casualties of war.

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But you are using the deaths of good men as a vague moral argument to end a war. If your argument has any merit, then why do you not apply it to automobiles, too? More people die from automobiles than from the war in Iraq. In my view, you should either begin advocating criminalizing the internal combustion engine, or you should acknowledge the fact that sometimes death is a natural consequence of an anticipated risk. Like driving a car, warfare is an anticipated risk.

I find it odd that people (like yourself) who criticise the war don't discuss it on its merits, i.e. whether the war will make the world a better place or not. You simply gravitate to the death toll, as if that were some type of trump card that should end all discussion.

Where did I say this? I didn't start the thread. Your comment about other deaths was before anything I said.
If there is no need for war then there is no need for any anticipated risk.
This subject matter has been discussed over and over. I feel it does not make the world a better place. It certainly doesn't make the world a better place for those who died.
Where did I even mention the death toll and sow me one person, just one who said the death toll trumps any discussion.

__________________
America's Enemies Are Not Mine

All wars represent a failure of diplomacy

“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.” - Stephen Roberts.

You trivialise war deaths again - typical.

How many Israeli soldier deaths have there been since the USA invaded Iraq?

This war is for the benefit of Israel, they are supporting it - why dont they offer soldiers?

Why is American blood spilt on the sandy soils of Iraq?

Why are there no sacrifices made by Congress members and their children?

Why are there no CEO's of big private corporations offering their children to be sacrificed for foreign states on the hot sands of Iraq?

Why arent you there Oxymoron?

You seem to believe in this war - PACK you bags son - Put your mouth where your rhetoric is