"I want to know why I'm planning a funeral while George Bush is planning a wedding."

blackredyellowblackredyellow Posts: 5,889
edited September 2007 in A Moving Train
This was a quote in the most recent Newsweek by Anika Lawal of Maryland, whose daughter, an army sergeant, was recently killed in Iraq.

It hit me as an incredibly powerful question, and summed up so much in one sentence.
My whole life
was like a picture
of a sunny day
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
― Abraham Lincoln
Post edited by Unknown User on
«1345

Comments

  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    Answer - because your daughter joined the military and was killed in combat by someone who wanted her to die.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    know1 wrote:
    Answer - because your daughter joined the military and was killed in combat by someone who wanted her to die.

    This is why this war and the next one with Iran will hurt for generations to come and the same goes.....no it's even WORSE from the Iraqi's point of view. We invaded now occupy their country and have killed, maimed, raped, abused, tortured, etc; way too many of their innocent citizens.

    This will never ever be forgotten on both sides.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • know1 wrote:
    Answer - because your daughter joined the military and was killed in combat by someone who wanted her to die.

    Yes, that is the simplest correct answer, and also the cold, emotionless one.

    But the question illustrates the point that the people who got us into this war, and continue to keep it going are accepting none of the blame, will take all of the glory if by some miracle it turns around, but at the same time have sacrificed absolutely nothing in the process, instead they have actually made out on the deal (financially and with more power).

    At the same time you have thousands of families who have paid ALL of the costs and have made the ultimate sacrifice, and in the end come out a lot worse off than they were. Not only the soldiers killed, but the countless families torn apart by years separated, countless homes and small businesses foreclosed and lost because a national guard or reservist has been deployed for tours totaling years...
    My whole life
    was like a picture
    of a sunny day
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    ― Abraham Lincoln
  • ByrnzieByrnzie Posts: 21,037
    Yes, that is the simplest correct answer, and also the cold, emotionless one.

    But the question illustrates the point that the people who got us into this war, and continue to keep it going are accepting none of the blame, will take all of the glory if by some miracle it turns around, but at the same time have sacrificed absolutely nothing in the process, instead they have actually made out on the deal (financially and with more power).

    At the same time you have thousands of families who have paid ALL of the costs and have made the ultimate sacrifice, and in the end come out a lot worse off than they were. Not only the soldiers killed, but the countless families torn apart by years separated, countless homes and small businesses foreclosed and lost because a national guard or reservist has been deployed for tours totaling years...

    That's what happens when people don't question authority, and allow themselves to be manipulated. Maybe one day people will realize that their Governments, big business, and the media - generically, often referred to as 'country' - actually don't give a shit about them.
  • JamMastaEJamMastaE Posts: 444
    This was a quote in the most recent Newsweek by Anika Lawal of Maryland, whose daughter, an army sergeant, was recently killed in Iraq.

    It hit me as an incredibly powerful question, and summed up so much in one sentence.


    it's simple really.

    as long as people in this country believe in the lie that they are fighting for freedom many more will die i'm afraid.

    why doesn't anyone talk about the 1,000,000 Iraqis that are dead,innocent lives taken over a lie!women and children being mowed down by trigger happy scum that I'm ashamed to call our troops,who have lost their minds through PTSD caused by too many tours of duty.

    don't try and tell me they are fighting for me to have the right to say this because the last thing they are doing is fighting for freedom,unless you mean the freedom to rape the middle east,all the while they are trying to STRIP us of our freedoms here at home!!

    the hypocrisy is so thick I'm chocking on it!!!!!!!!!!!

    BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW!!!!!!!!!!!
    "In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot". Mark Twain


    "I would rather die on my feet than to live on my knees."
    Emiliano Zapata
  • Yes, that is the simplest correct answer, and also the cold, emotionless one.

    But the question illustrates the point that the people who got us into this war, and continue to keep it going are accepting none of the blame, will take all of the glory if by some miracle it turns around, but at the same time have sacrificed absolutely nothing in the process, instead they have actually made out on the deal (financially and with more power).

    At the same time you have thousands of families who have paid ALL of the costs and have made the ultimate sacrifice, and in the end come out a lot worse off than they were. Not only the soldiers killed, but the countless families torn apart by years separated, countless homes and small businesses foreclosed and lost because a national guard or reservist has been deployed for tours totaling years...



    Laura Bush told us noone feels the suffering more than W!
    Gimme a fucking break. The "War President" ( by the way I can see this idiot standing in front of a mirror dressed up like fucking George Patton telling himself he is GI JOE) is too busy flying around the country hosting $2,500 a plate GOP fundraisers and taking months off in Maine and TExas to give a shit.
    And this draft dodger has the balls to use the military as a prop for his photo ops and press conferences and takes all the glory for his own ego.
    "Sean Hannity knows there is no greater threat to America today than Bill Clinton 15 years ago"- Stephen Colbert
  • This was a quote in the most recent Newsweek by Anika Lawal of Maryland, whose daughter, an army sergeant, was recently killed in Iraq.

    It hit me as an incredibly powerful question, and summed up so much in one sentence.

    Because the leaders in America, or their families, often have a habit of not going to fight. And because the U.S. has a habit of engaging in optional wars. Signing up in the American military has to be one of the most questionable things anyone could do.
  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    Byrnzie wrote:
    That's what happens when people don't question authority, and allow themselves to be manipulated. Maybe one day people will realize that their Governments, big business, and the media - generically, often referred to as 'country' - actually don't give a shit about them.

    yup ... disengaged citizenry
  • shareshare Posts: 551
    with any luck Bush's grandchildren will be on the front lines in a future war.
    we're all sentient snowflakes
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    I'm a number that doesn't count
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    the nothing ventured - the nothing feigned
  • gabersgabers Posts: 2,787
    know1 wrote:
    Answer - because your daughter joined the military and was killed in combat by someone who wanted her to die.

    I know what you're getting at here, but that is very much simplifying, isn't it? The fact that they joined the military does not make it any more relevant, IMO, than someone who races NASCAR, works as a miner, a cop, or any number of jobs that have an elevated risk of serious injury or death. The point is that our soldiers have been put in harms way for a war that most Americans believe is unjust. I'm imagining the poor mother was against this war before her daughter went.

    Just because you join the military it doesn't want to mean you want to die for "your country", or president, or vice president, or whoever the fuck is running the show.
  • Signing up in the American military has to be one of the most questionable things anyone could do.

    Absolutely... especially in the Army of Marines. My father was a single guy just out of highschool when the draft for vietnam was really getting going. His father was in the national guard his whole life, so service wasn't a foreign idea by any means, but knowing his likely-hood of getting drafted (and being sent in harm's way), he enlisted in the navy and basically got to pick his occupation. He was on a carrier on the flight deck and worked as an aircraft mechanic's apprentice. He got to see a lot of the world, serve his country, but for the most part in safety.

    For kids coming out of HS with no skills, no ambition for college, the armed forces can be a good career, but why anyone would enlist in the army or marines is beyond me at this point.

    I do have a lot more sympathy for the national guard troops or reserves sent on long tours... they didn't sign up to go away and fight on foreign soil for a war that has nothing to do with protecting our nation... These people are losing their lives, homes, businesses, jobs, and even families back home because of this war.
    My whole life
    was like a picture
    of a sunny day
    “We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”
    ― Abraham Lincoln
  • know1know1 Posts: 6,794
    gabers wrote:
    I know what you're getting at here, but that is very much simplifying, isn't it? The fact that they joined the military does not make it any more relevant, IMO, than someone who races NASCAR, works as a miner, a cop, or any number of jobs that have an elevated risk of serious injury or death. The point is that our soldiers have been put in harms way for a war that most Americans believe is unjust. I'm imagining the poor mother was against this war before her daughter went.

    Just because you join the military it doesn't want to mean you want to die for "your country", or president, or vice president, or whoever the fuck is running the show.

    I wonder when the daughter joined.
    The only people we should try to get even with...
    ...are those who've helped us.

    Right 'round the corner could be bigger than ourselves.
  • so would she have said the same thing if this was a "just" war? Or is it only because it is, at best, a highly questionable one?
  • Pacomc79Pacomc79 Posts: 9,404
    so would she have said the same thing if this was a "just" war? Or is it only because it is, at best, a highly questionable one?

    I don't think so, not with the same sentiment.

    It is kind of remarkably offensive to see this carefree little rich girl plan a ridiculously expensive wedding at the white house, when the man who lives there felt it important enough to send your daughter to die whom you are now burying. I empathize greatly.

    Bush can say he cares all he wants but events like this just show the obvious detachment from the reality of the families of service people. All the photo ops in the world won't bring back her daughter.
    My Girlfriend said to me..."How many guitars do you need?" and I replied...."How many pairs of shoes do you need?" She got really quiet.
  • Uncle LeoUncle Leo Posts: 1,059
    share wrote:
    with any luck Bush's grandchildren will be on the front lines in a future war.

    That's not the way the world works.
    I cannot come up with a new sig till I get this egg off my face.
  • polarispolaris Posts: 3,527
    Uncle Leo wrote:
    That's not the way the world works.

    plus, it would mean we are engaged in yet another superficial war ... true karma would see the family exposed for their selfishness and their fortune and wealth taken from them ... with only their own skills left for them to survive ...
  • even flow?even flow? Posts: 8,066
    so would she have said the same thing if this was a "just" war? Or is it only because it is, at best, a highly questionable one?


    Maybe you could list all the wars the US has been involved in since WWII where they "needed" to be there? You know, where the nation had their back against the wall and they really needed to be in a "just" war.
    You've changed your place in this world!
  • even flow? wrote:
    Maybe you could list all the wars the US has been involved in since WWII where they "needed" to be there? You know, where the nation had their back against the wall and they really needed to be in a "just" war.


    Irrelevant.
    The ideology presented by the lady is that a presidents daughter and the president shouldnt be involved in a wedding planning while soldiers are dying. I was just curious if it was a just (or even popular) war, would she have said the same thing? Or is she trying to use her sons death as a soundbyte to further a political cause ala Cindy Sheehan?

    Perhaps she would have said the same thing, i dont know her. However, it seems only to be a point with her when it was her daughter that was killed. So who knows.


    I figured youd just be happy i referred to it as a "highly questionable" war.
  • callencallen Posts: 6,388
    g under p wrote:
    This is why this war and the next one with Iran will hurt for generations to come and the same goes.....no it's even WORSE from the Iraqi's point of view. We invaded now occupy their country and have killed, maimed, raped, abused, tortured, etc; way too many of their innocent citizens.

    This will never ever be forgotten on both sides.

    Peace
    will be conveinently forgotten by all those that supported this dumba$$.
    10-18-2000 Houston, 04-06-2003 Houston, 6-25-2003 Toronto, 10-8-2004 Kissimmee, 9-4-2005 Calgary, 12-3-05 Sao Paulo, 7-2-2006 Denver, 7-22-06 Gorge, 7-23-2006 Gorge, 9-13-2006 Bern, 6-22-2008 DC, 6-24-2008 MSG, 6-25-2008 MSG
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    callen wrote:
    will be conveinently forgotten by all those that supported this dumba$$.

    True so true, I totally forgot about that group. They never cared anyway all they say was like you said was the $$$ signs, those who fall in between are just inconsequentual.


    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


  • I still don't understand why soldiers are lionized by both the left and the right. Was there a draft? I was aware of the dangers of joining the military, so I chose another profession.
    "All governments are murderers and liars."
    -Bill Hicks
  • onelongsongonelongsong Posts: 3,517
    know1 wrote:
    Answer - because your daughter joined the military and was killed in combat by someone who wanted her to die.

    and when a police officer or fireman is killed; is that the presidents fault too? people should be held accountable for their own actions too. my son enlisted and he knew we were at war and he knew he was going to iraq. he knew people would shoot at him just as someone aspiring to be a police officer knows he will be shot at and put in dangerous situations.
  • onelongsongonelongsong Posts: 3,517
    even flow? wrote:
    Maybe you could list all the wars the US has been involved in since WWII where they "needed" to be there? You know, where the nation had their back against the wall and they really needed to be in a "just" war.

    imo; it's based on colour. it's ok to help white people regain their freedom but not people of colour. every war where we were helping white people was largely accepted and supported. every war where the people we were trying to help were of colour; was opposed.
  • I think that the grieving mother should have the right to speak out because losing a kid has to be hard. Especially if you don't agree with the war in Iraq.

    I do think she is off base because as was stated earlier the girl was in combat and these things happen. I don't agree with the war AT ALL but it is a war and unfortunately people die.

    Plus there is no way that Bush has anything to do with the planning of the wedding. I think they can afford some wedding planners.
    10/31/2000 (****)
    6/7/2003 (***1/2)
    7/9/2006 (****1/2)
    7/13/2006 (**** )
    4/10/2008 EV Solo (****1/2)
    6/25/2008 MSG II (*****)
    10/1/2009 LA II (****)
    10/6/2009 LA III (***** Cornell!!!)
  • RainDogRainDog Posts: 1,824
    imo; it's based on colour. it's ok to help white people regain their freedom but not people of colour. every war where we were helping white people was largely accepted and supported. every war where the people we were trying to help were of colour; was opposed.
    Yeah, that's the reason. Really. It has nothing to do with nations attacking us.

    Quick history lesson here. While we financially supported the allied forces at the beginning of WWII, the population at large was against us getting involved militarily. Then we were attacked by Japan. So what do we do? We declare war on Japan. Logical, isn't it. Then, before we could spit, Germany turns around and declares war on us. Do you know what that means? That's right. We went to war with Germany.

    Now, lets look at modern times, shall we. Lets see.... somthing happened, something happened. Oh, that's right. We were attacked by a group of individuals on September 11th, 2001. What did we do? Well, we decerned where this group of individuals was based and attacked back - and took out the government that was supporting them; and in turn, attempted to bring "freedom" to the people living under that government. And it was near fully supported by the U.S. population - despite the fucking color of the people involved. When did it go wrong? When we turned our war machine away from those who attacked us and pointed it at another, unrelated, nation. Sure, at first it sounded like a great idea - you know, 'cause they were involved somehow. Only they weren't. And, when people started to realize that, they started to turn against the operation.

    But I know this doesn't mean anything to you. You can choose to ignore it; I don't care. You go right back to thinking Kerry was secretly working for the North Vietnamese, that George Bush was right to slaughter citizens of threatless nation, being best friends with Ted Nugent, wallowing in your serious political connections, pouring over secret documents the rest of us plebes will never get to see, and, oh I don't know - generally running the world from your mountaintop compound.

    Yeah, don't mind me. I just hate freeing people of color. Yeah, that's it.
  • i just read an article on this girl.....

    her mother said her daughter joined the military in 2003 after she graduated high school because...."she wasnt ready for college and she wanted to travel"....

    the usa invaded iraq in march of 2003....right???
    im thinking she graduated high school in june of 2003....right???

    i just find it strange that someone would join the fucking military knowing their is a pretty good chance she will be sent to iraq......

    because she wanted to travel?????

    i want to travel too......but im not joining the fucking military to do it...
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • Vedd HeddVedd Hedd Posts: 4,606
    imo; it's based on colour. it's ok to help white people regain their freedom but not people of colour. every war where we were helping white people was largely accepted and supported. every war where the people we were trying to help were of colour; was opposed.

    Wow, talk about spin.
    Turn this anger into
    Nuclear fission
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    know1 wrote:
    Answer - because your daughter joined the military and was killed in combat by someone who wanted her to die.

    That's an incredibly myopic view, IMO. The one in question was likely seeking ideological ends that had nothing to do with "wanting" her to die. Her death was a means to the ends of which they sought.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • Uncle LeoUncle Leo Posts: 1,059
    imo; it's based on colour. it's ok to help white people regain their freedom but not people of colour. every war where we were helping white people was largely accepted and supported. every war where the people we were trying to help were of colour; was opposed.

    On the contrary. It's about political correctness. All the guilt-filled whites said "Yeah go over and kill those Krauts. Plus you'll be helping Jews, who are non-Christains." Now they say (imagine a very wussy voice) "no you can't go over there and kill these people of color."
    I cannot come up with a new sig till I get this egg off my face.
  • g under pg under p Surfing The far side of THE Sombrero Galaxy Posts: 18,200
    imo; it's based on colour. it's ok to help white people regain their freedom but not people of colour. every war where we were helping white people was largely accepted and supported. every war where the people we were trying to help were of colour; was opposed.

    This makes no sense, you must be that same person who said something about stickers on the back of my truck. That statement made no sense either and I addressed you properly.

    Peace
    *We CAN bomb the World to pieces, but we CAN'T bomb it into PEACE*...Michael Franti

    *MUSIC IS the expression of EMOTION.....and that POLITICS IS merely the DECOY of PERCEPTION*
    .....song_Music & Politics....Michael Franti

    *The scientists of today think deeply instead of clearly. One must be sane to think clearly, but one can think deeply and be quite INSANE*....Nikola Tesla(a man who shaped our world of electricity with his futuristic inventions)


Sign In or Register to comment.