So, the story of young men in a strange land risking their lives, away from family and friends willing to give their chance at an extremely rare phone call home to another man with a family or with a higher purpose - this makes you puke?
Get therapy.
What makes me really sick is seeing the high moral character of these kids being used to justify an unneeded, stupid and brutal war.
Pay attention.
This article is not about justifying the war. It is about the high caliber of the people serving in our armed forces. Even in a combat zone, their first thought is about who do they know who needs a phone call more than their selves. This is why we have the best military in the world - because we have the best people in the world.
You
need water, oxygen, food and not much else. Most every other thing could be placed in the want category.
Maybe Saddam was only torturing Iraquis - who cares right? They are his people to tortue.
I am an American, and that also makes me a human - just like the people living under Saddam.
Go ask an Iraqi how bad they needed this war. Oh sure - maybe YOU don't need it. Unless I am wrong, you are not fighting in it. You are just a person in America sitting around typing on a computer about how awful it is that Americans (but not you) are in another country fighting people (that you do not know) and freeing the oppressed people of the land (again - you not involved.)
American should intervene when human rights are violated - when we can make a difference. I am glad we are there and I am deeply saddened that we are losing some of our best people - but when I read stories like the one about the lawyer who risked his life and his family to help our POW, I am gratified, because I think he is a credit to his people and I think he shows that the Iraqi people are fundamentally decent humans who deserve to have Saddam removed.
Oh, but it offends you, it offends your eye, God forbid it may even offend your pocket book.
Utterly without basis.
Our cost? 50-80 Billion or so and less people than die in your average plane crash.
What do we gain? Hopefully a grateful group of people - but even if they forget, it is still right to relieve their torment.
We get rid of a madman who loves to play in the devils sand box of chemical and biological weapons. Sure - you can say that there is no evidence that he threatened us, blah blah blah - you know what? I dont care. He can't have them - he does not get one chance - he could and probably would sell them to our enemies - do you even read the news?
Ah yes - brutal.
Let the world see the brutality of our nation - that we spend billions on pinpoint weapons so that we harm as few Iraqis as possible. We could just firebomb the whole city - maybe give them 24 hours and let loose with the cheap and dirty dumb bombs.
Maybe you detest the brutality of our men who shield wounded Iraqi civilians from the Fedayeen soldiers while fighting for a bridge.
Maybe you weep for the poor men who were "only following orders" - the ones who make mothers applaud the executions of their children and husbands.
Our might is focused on those who choose to fight. Our will be done in Iraq as it was in Europe - let Tyrants tremble. Let the rapists and the sadists and the blood thirsty violators of women complain about our "brutality".
Maybe you would be less horrified at the "brutality" if we just left Saddam to run the country the way he sees fit. Maybe then you could calm down and not be so upset by the atrocities perpretrated on your life by our horrible, despotic, evil government.
"Iraq is not a safe place while Saddam Hussein is in power," Mohammad said. "He kills the Iraqi people whenever he wants. I believe the Americans will bring peace and security to the people of Iraq." - Mohammad (aka Pfc Lynch's guardian angel)
Yes, I am sure it has just been hell for you...
A war ended by a REPUBLICAN.