One can hardly pick up a newspaper in the Seattle area today without seeing an article, an editorial, or a letter to the editor showing the current, left-of-center groupthink bemoaning violence in Iraq, no matter what other good news might put it in context - see but one recent example here. All deaths in war are a tragedy, but as the 4th of July is upon us, we can pause for a minute to consider the true cost of war for freedom's sake over history.
A poignant example of this was in the news over the weekend, including a wire story in the Seattle Times, on the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. While today some quail over passing the mark of 2,500 American dead in Iraq, the Battle of the Somme in World War I left 20,000 British soldiers dead on the 1st day, and 1.2 million total German and British casualties before the battle's end four months later. The scars of that fight still haunt Britain today. Indeed, we seem to forget the wars of the past had the capacity to damage the very national psyche of the countries involved.
The death of soldiers and civilians in the course of military conflict is never preferred. And modern conflicts such as Iraq certainly warrant scrutiny in both policy and politics, but as the media of today gnash their teeth over modern events (revealing how stuck in the Vietnam-era of body counts they remain), we would do well to remember the butcher's bill for this conflict is nothing compared to wars in freedom's cause in American history or the world's.
Happy 4th of July to all, and may we have the chance to reflect in thanks of those that put it all on the line so that we might celebrate this great day.
The JOA partners won't even reference basic rights of citizens, such as to not be taxed excessively, and to use their property as they see fit within reasonable limits for example. Instead, they spew rhetoric aimed at DC to cloud the filth in their nest.
Posted by: harrison on July 4, 2006 09:05 AM
I keep hearing Bush say we're not leaving until we 'win the war on terror'. So can someone tell me when we'll know that we've won? What does that phrase mean??
Posted by: Jacob on July 4, 2006 09:59 AMDoes the left really care about troop deaths? I don't think so. It's all about politics and their pathological hatred of the President. The left really loves the war because they can pretend it's 1969 again. If we pulled out today they'd be mad as hell. These are the same people who gleefully promote the murder of millions of totally innocent unborn children and want cop killers freed from prison. What a bunch of self-serving phonies.
I am particularly thankful on this 4th that the adults are in charge.
Posted by: Bill Cruchon on July 4, 2006 10:34 AMHeartbreaking to hear the father of one of the eight on Sean Hannity's show.
Bush should be impeached and every Republican bounced out of office for their prior comments and lack of action of these guys. Sending 19-22 years old to rot in jail and face the death penalty is a crime. Every speech Bush makes on this day about supporting the troops is a farce.
I'd rather associate with smelly tree-hugging peaceniks then Bush in his 3 piece suit ignoring our soliders in prison, because one group are harmless lunatics but Bush is a traitorous commander-in-chief.
My family will travel to Camp Pendleton to support them in the next 5-6 weeks (I'll post the photos on my website).
Posted by: John McDonald on July 4, 2006 11:58 AMas a disabled vet from the Iraq war I can tell you that we have the finest men and women serving in our armed forces today. This is due in large part to the fact that we have an all volunteer Military. The draft would be bad for all involved. Vietnam and Korea showed us that to draft people in to the military causes problems for all. There are discipline problems that can cause more damage to the war effort than they are worth. Also, recruiting numbers are up despite the lefts attempts to destroy the morale of our fine soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. Not to mention even when recruiting numbers were low reenlistment was between 125%- 150% of the goal and remains at an all time high. The war will be won when terrorism is erraticated off the face of the planet, so in other words no time in the near future. As for Iraq, the progress there is insurmountable. Even OBL in his most recent tape realizes this as he said that the Sunni insurgents need to stop America, because if they do not all the capitols in the middle east will toplle(i.e. be replaced with democracy like in Iraq).
as for the comparison to dead in this war and others there are plenty of other examples of more dead Americans in a single day than in this entire war. FOr example the D-Day invasion of Normandy had far more deaths. What about Iwo Jima in the Pacific theatre? Far more deaths in an hour than in this war. And of course the most deaths of Americans in a war would be the Civil War. Most Americans forget this fact, but it is still a fact. If we Americans had started to doubt at 2500 American deaths in any of these wars where would we be today? Two seperate nations? Perhaps Germany would rule the world and all the persecuted peoples by the Nazi's (Jews, Blacks, Gays, Etc.) would all be dead or still interned. So even though the death of Americans is sad at least it is for a greater cause.
Posted by: TrueSoldier on July 4, 2006 12:02 PMThough I do agree that President Bush (yes he is our commander in chief and therefore you should respect th office even if you do not respect the man) is making a mistake in not making sure that the Pendelton 8 are being treated fairly, but the same tree hugging groups you are talking about hanging out with are the same ones on the Supreme court who feel that terrorists should be give all the rights that Americans give. Not to mention how many of the news media (other than conservatives like Sean Hannity and Kirby Wilbur) are trying to help these eight? All I have heard from the tree hugging liberals in the MSM and on the blogesphere is that they are already guilty without a trial and should be put to death instantly. So how is it that President Bush should be impeached yet these other groups should be put in power?
Posted by: TrueSoldier on July 4, 2006 12:09 PMThe conservatives control the White House, Senate, and Congress - Republican power is at it's highest point in my lifetime, yet liberalism is advancing faster than at any point in my lifetime pushed by Bush.
Bush and conservatives are so uncentered that they can have trial and death penalities for our troops, but none for the enemy are the ones not respecting the American republican. Bush deserves no respect and the disrespect he has shown his own office and our troops is disgusting.
What's worse to protest in Tacoma and call a few names at the troops, or to put them in prison and have them face the death penalty.
Remember our Troops killed 100,000's of civilians in numerous wars in the past with zero threat of the death penalty. Dresden, Nagasaki, and Korea just to name a few. These guys were heros not criminals. The Pendleton 8 are HEROS, even if everything charged is true! It is high time that troops start shooting a few civilians if they know that a IED is planted which they helped plant and then waiting for the explosion as the girl admitted.
Posted by: John McDonald on July 4, 2006 12:32 PMMore wonderful support from "the buck doesn't stop here" commander-in-chief.
Posted by: John McDonald on July 4, 2006 12:34 PMthis is almost true. Liberalism in the courts is where the problems are. If you look at all the really bad supreme court decisions as of late they all came from the liberal justices of the supreme court along with good ol' Justice Kennedy who seems to want to be the new swing vote. What we need is one more good conservative on the supreme court. As for the Pendelton eight I have to agree that they are heroes. The enemy is not always that clear in Iraq. One minute an Iraq can be your best friend the next minute they are stabbing you in the back. But the blame is not only to be shared by the Bush administration. The liberal media is as much to blame for their constant support of the terrorists supposed rights and the lack of any rights for our troops. I do feel the President can and should do more, but so should the press and the liberal members of our government. If the press acted this way during WWII would we have been able to win? I feel that President Bush should be making an example out of the press just like FDR and Lincoln did during thier Presidencies at the time of war. The only porblem is that if President Bush did throw the real enemies of our country in jail like his predessors did he would have the ACLU out shopping for a liberal judge to file a lawsuit with and then it would be all over.
Posted by: TrueSoldier on July 4, 2006 12:40 PMOn a brighter note John have a happy 4th of July!
Posted by: TrueSoldier on July 4, 2006 12:50 PMLiberal~John is is taking a much needed vacation! I'm sure you all join me in expressing the hopes that he gets lots of rest (and possibly even his brain back!). Don't worry, we'll be saving a place for ya (right out next to the dumpster with all the other cast-offs).
Liberal~john, Have a nice trip and don't step in front of any busses, no matter how tempting...
Posted by: alphabet soup on July 4, 2006 01:03 PMYou have a wonderful 4th as well. I completely agree with your description. I place more blame at the steps of those in power and in the direct command line then nutcases around Greenlake.
I've been waiting for that 5th conservative judge since I became politically aware during the 3rd year of the Carter Administration. Which is why I get so pissed off when someone like Harriet is nominated - frankly I'm tired of waiting for all the stars to align before some magical momement where Republicans will have an absolute majority. I know believe that if this moment arrives then Republicans will only be more liberal as they try to maintain their power and position. The only way to get Bush to do anything right is start complaining loud and long, and don't let the party take you for granted. The Conservative voter is to the Republican party what the Black voter is to the Democratic party - reliable and ignorable. Watch 2006 change this.
Alphie, join me at C. Pendleton.
Thx for your service to our country. Despite the bizarre attacks by some people on this board that liberals love the terrorists, etc, I can assure you that is not the case.
My Mother served in WWII when there was a draft. So I don't think a draft is a bad thing at all. I guess my perspective is just a little different. The whole country had an investment in WWII because everyone had to serve, not just the poor and the minorities and the career military families.
It's funny how people attack liberals even though we've never even met. They know nothing about people like me yet they are prone to attack. I would imagine if you put guns in the hands of some of these liberal-haters, they'd simply gun us down right on the streets of Seattle. I feel sorry for the hatred that is so deep in their hearts.
True soldier, you're one of the first people who seem to acknowledge that the war on terror is going to take years, if not decades.
"The war will be won when terrorism is erraticated off the face of the planet, so in other words no time in the near future. "
Just think, in 2016, we'll still be talking about war in the middle east. I don't look forward to that.
And if the 'war on terror' is as big of failure as the 'war on poverty' or the 'war on drugs', there certainly will never be an end. I think eventually it will lead to people blowing themselves up on buses and car bombings, just like they have in Israel.
After WWII broke out most Americans willfully joined the military out of a sense of duty to protect America which is true to this day. I come from a family that is not poor, but middle class. The last relative of mine that served was my Grandfather during WWII.
I have met alot of liberals. My family is very liberal and as far as they are concerned I am a disgrace to them. Not all liberals are crazy either though. Some of my in-laws are liberal, but they do have common sense. Just like some conservatives are a bit over the top too. IT goes back to what my Grandfather used to say....if the shoe fits wear it.
Actually even the President has acknowledged that the war on terror will be a long fight at best. ANd no one looks forward to war for years unless they are just plain crazy. As long as we do not give up we will prevail. I for one am going back to Iraq as soon as I can as a civilian contractor. I still feel that I can do some good over there, especially after the progress I witnessed that never seems to make it into the MSM.