Geroge Orwell

We sleep safe in our beds at because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Tis a Sad, Sad Day

Tis a sad, sad day for military families I fear. I have not used this blog to strike out against the new administration. President Obama has now proven to me and to what I believe are many other people his true distaste for our country and those who would defend it. He has used a President Bush leftover administrator, Secretary Gates, to do his dirty work. The filming of our returning fallen will begin again. This is the way of the new President. It reminds me of another coward named of Ponitus Pilate. Let somebody else preform the unpleasant task, I wash my hands of it.

President Bush had the common sense and decency to honor our fallen warriors by NOT letting the left wing, liberal media make a spectacle of our soldiers coming home to rest. Now Secretary Gates has reversed the policy.* This will now become a media feeding frenzy that can do nothing but demean our brave warriors and cause grief for their families. Is there no one left in Washington with any intestinal fortitude or cahonies that will step up to the plate and tell President Obama he is wrong, just plain wrong. Elliot Richardson where are you when we need you!

President Obama, You tried to sneak this in on a day the your budget is taking first spot on the news. You detached yourself from it by sending Secratary Gates to make the announcement.

How DARE you desecrate the memory of these warriors!

They died for you and your wife and daughters. If it weren't for men and women like them you wouldn't never have had the opportunity to live where you do today! Haven't these families given enough! Their son,daughter,husband, wife, brother, sister, aunt, or uncle have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Let them grieve in private!

As the parents of a soldier, ABNMOMMA and I pray for the souls of these brave warriors and their families. We can no way share the pain you must endure everyday without your loved one.
God Bless these families and brave, brave warriors.

I will end with this. President Obama, you have lost any creditability you may have had or might have gotten from me my family and many military families

FOREVER!

*As reported by CNN

31 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm sick to my stomache.

~AM

Anonymous said...

Before, no coffins could be showed. Now, individual families can allow it (or still disallow it, so nothing changes). How is this bad? War has casualties, and hiding that fact is irresponsible.

ABNPOPPA said...

AM

Yes, it is truly sickening.

Anonymous,

Please explain the need to show the returning coffins of our brave fallen warriors. There is nothing good to be gained by this invasion of a private moment for them. Families wishing to allow the viewing of their fallen warrior have ample opportunity for this to be done on the local level.

You yourself said it "war has casualties". We all know that. The media frenzy this will breed has no place in this sad and solemn moment. The irresponsibility is on the part of the President who will use this to appease his socialist and liberal Move On supporters and those of Code Pink.

Thanks for commenting. I hope you will come back. Leave us a handle so we may address you specifically. When you get more than one Anonymous comment it can get confusing. Better yet become a follower of the blog. You also may want to visit Conservative Outrage.blogspot.com my other blog.

Pops,

Emanuel said...

Sorry for posting Anonymously. I wasn't logged in.

I do agree that a media frenzy is not what we want, but I believe that is up to the media to control and not the government (freedom of the press). People complain that Democrats are making a big government and are called "socialist" for their medical reforms, yet when they back off on something they were controlling, they get attacked as well. I don't think its fair to complain about too much control then complain when they relinquish some. That is my view, anyway.

Anonymous said...

ABNPOPPA: No one has to allow the coffin to be shown. It is up to those individual families and how can anyone be more fair than that? It is a family's choice and that is how it should be. It was unfair to those who did want the coffins shown and if that makes you sick to your stomache anyone, then that is your own problem but you have no right to deny the other side to make their own decision. I felt nothing but gratitude to each and every one of those soldiers who fought for this country and I feel it an honor to see them return to what they fought and who they fought for. To deny me that choice is not up to the government, it is a family decision and that is the only fair way to make the choice.

Anonymous said...

Apparently you believe the american people shouldn't know the human cost of war ..it's jarring and maybe American's won't be so quick to kill kill kill. you know the saying out of sight, out of mind.

Cassandra said...

They're not out of sight unless you choose to blind yourself to their stories. Certainly the press could write about them, and that would be far more effective than showing a faceless, anonymous coffin.

Why don't you try visiting a military blog and learning about the real people we've lost? You might learn something.

raf said...

Military Families United conducted a survey that found 64% of families of fallen soldiers don't want their sons' and daughters' caskets to be covered by the media.

With this decision, those 64% still get their wish. The other 36%, many of whom strongly WANT coverage, also get their wish.

The only people who aren't happy with this policy are those who would actually go up to a grieving parent and tell them, to their face, "My decision on the coverage of your son's casket should trump yours."

ABNPOPPA said...

Thanks to Anonymous #1
Emanuel, who returned with his handle. Hats off to you! You have a great Blog maybe I can pick up a few pointers from you.

Anonymous #2

What you say, no one HAS to allow the showing of their fallen warriors returning is correct. Why put them through the process to start with. We all know that war is hell and patriots die.
I don't think it is unfair to those who want to see the coffins. If they feel that strongly please respectfully attend the funeral and pay your respect that way. Where is Cindy Sheehan today? Used, abused and thrown away as soon as the far left was done with her. She lost her family because of the media hype she so craved to fill the void after the loss of her son.

Just food for thought. What if the mother of a fallen warrior wants it to be kept private and the wife wants the media? Who wins.

I hope you come back as did Emanuel and leave a handle. We always appreciate a different point of view. You may like my other blog Conservative Outrage.blogspot.com also. Stop by for a chat.

Pops

Anonymous #3

It appears you have a very low appreciation of the military that give you the right to freedom of speech which you are exercising now. I have no doubt the American people know the cost of war quite well. Since this countries inception we have lost countless numbers of good men and women freeing other countries from oppression and tyranny. I hope you have taken the time to realize my sons, my father and my grandfather as were I are all veterans. Your comment kill, kill,kill is taken on a personal note. I assure you sir/madam SOLDIER HAS THE MENTALITY you suggest. As a father you have just insulted me and my two boys. the veterans truly deplore war. It is very difficult for me to be civil to you. I will not lower myself to your level and insult the memory of our fallen warriors.

You are invited back any time. I will try to be civil to you.

Pops

Anonymous said...

There are three options regarding the showing of the caskets of fallen soldiers. Have the government decide, have the families decide, or have the media decide. The Obama administration has decided that it is better for the families to decide than for the government to decide.

This is hardly a debatable issue. Please someone try to logically defend how it is invasion of the privacy of the family if the family decides that they want the casket shown? Makes no sense whatsoever. One must begin to question the sanity of people holding the position that the government should be the decider-in-chief on this personal issue.

Anonymous said...

It's important to realize that this policy was started by George H.W. Bush in order to protect his political image. It is wrong for politicians to control the viewing of the dead just to try to protect their poll approval numbers. The families should be able to decide on this issue, not politicians watching the poll numbers before the next election.

Anonymous said...

"What if the mother of a fallen warrior wants it to be kept private and the wife wants the media? Who wins."

The wife of course. Didn't we already go through something like this with the Terri Schiavo case? The spouse's wishes take precedent over all others.

Something else for people to think about: What if the soldier wants his/her body to be shown if they die? Should the soldier have the right to make that decision? Those complaining about this new ruling are essentially saying that the soldier shouldn't be allowed to have the media film his/her returning casket if that's what they want. The least we can do for our brave fallen heroes is to allow them to make this decision themselves by empowering their family members to make the decision that the solider either tells them about beforehand or the family judges the soldier would want.

ABNPOPPA said...

Cassendra,

Thanks for stopping by. I doubt Anonymous would stop by a military blog with anything but a negitive view of it.

Slide over to Conservative Outrage.blogspot.com and check it out too.

Liked your Tigerhawk blog.

Pops

ABNPOPPA said...

Raf,

You picture doesn't do you justice. Somehow I pictured you as taller.

Thanks for stopping by. Very interesting (?) blog you have.

Pops

Anonymous, #2,3,4,5

Leave a handle for goodness sakes. It just help me keep you guys straight.

I like the reference to Terri Schaivo case. I wish it were that easy. You must remember the days and days of coverage. The anger and unpleasantness the family went through. That my friend is exactly what I am talking about. Why subject the families to this merciless media frenzy when it is unnecessary!

Secondly you mention President George H.W. Bush used it to raise his poll numbers. Is that NOT what President Obama is doing?

Change, what change, I see politics the same as usual.

It is becoming apparent you have little basic knowledge about the military. For all practical intents and purposes you give up your right to make a decision about anything when you enter the military. Whether you want your coffin filmed could be a request but the military will decide. That is just ONE of the many prices you pay for defending the rights of people like you.

They put honor and country first and themselves second. Some would even say that is the difference between liberals and conservatives. Conservative put the species first and liberals put themselves first.

Leave a handle and stop by anytime.

Pops

Anonymous said...

I always find it funny when those who rant will not sign their name. For those that came back and rectified, great. However, leaving media out was NOT to protect anyone's name... If that were the case then former President Bill Clinton would have overturned and the lives lost in Mogadishu would have been paraded by the media.

Stop blaming the Bush's and see there was another president in between who changed nothing! Do we say he wanted to protect his name? Do you blame him for not overturning the policy? Are we so bent on blaming everyone else for something that we stop looking in the mirror.

Let one of us make the hard decisions these men and women have made and then maybe we can honestly, and justifiably be pissed off at the world for the decisions that are made.

I am not happy because quite honestly, when you have lost someone you love, you are angry, sad, happy, all the emotions that make us often not think clearly.

Allowing our pathetic media parade their opinions, twist the emotions of the down trodden to their sales is abominable.

Stop blaming the person next to you and take responsibility. Stop driving your car, riding your lawn mower, flying in airplanes, driving buses. Then we may have the right to complain. We are spoiled and we are acting like a child that does not get their way.

So with all that being said, RESPECT the fallen, allow them to come home without being exploited. I can assure you, we the people know the cost of war. We are living it. Is it responsible of us to now parade our dead? Are we any better than the people who drag them in the street for all to see.

I pray we don't become that nation. Shame on you Mr. Gates, shame on you Obama and shame on us!

Anonymous said...

"Why subject the families to this merciless media frenzy when it is unnecessary!"

I would agree with you IF the families were mandated to have the media present. However, they are not and it is their decision. Don't let your hatred of liberals and the anti-war crowd cloud your judgment on this issue. I thought civil liberties were a conservative bedrock. Who should decide, the family or the government in this case?

Your response to the Terri Schiavo mention is truly a non sequitur.

"Secondly you mention President George H.W. Bush used it to raise his poll numbers. Is that NOT what President Obama is doing?"

Obama didn't have an embarrassing splitscreen episode to motivate this decision. George H.W. Bush did. This policy was not put into place to protect families. It was put into place to protect politicians, so please don't try to pretend otherwise.

Also, it looks like as of today the military has a policy in place to allow soldiers to decide posthumously to have the media film their coffins. Looks like you are the one lacking in knowledge of the military. I guarantee you that I know more about the Marine Corps than you do. Also, my argument had nothing to do with the rights bestowed by the military upon the soldiers. Reading comprehension please.

Did you know that Bush used foreigners to finance an American war for the first time since the American Revolution? The neoconservative movement is dangerous to our country, the American people soundly rejected their philosophy in the 2008 election, and the neocons will see defeat once again in 2012 as long as the Republican Party marginalizes the non-interventionist wing of their party. You better wisen up fast or else the liberals will enact enough policies to set back the conservative agenda for at least a generation or two.

ABNPOPPA said...

Veronica J.

Thank you for your comment. I only wish I could express myself as clearly and articulately as you do.
Wonderfully put! You might like to visit Conservative Outrage.blogspot.com we have some interesting comments there also.

Comon' anonymous even Veronica J wants you to leave a handle.

Anonymous said...

"I am not happy because quite honestly, when you have lost someone you love, you are angry, sad, happy, all the emotions that make us often not think clearly."

It's always so much fun arguing with neocons, because they're blind to the fact that their loyalty to the Republican Party has made them veer so far to the right that they are now on the left. From your own statement, you justify empowering the government over the individual because the individual may not "think clearly". I thought conservatives wanted a smaller and less powerful government that gave personal responsibility to the individual?

Why so defensive about Bush? Good grief, it's like a kneejerk reaction that if you don't agree with a particular Bush policy you must automatically be a "Bush-hater". Your self-pity is not a desirable trait.

The fact remains that the primary platform positions of the Republican Party are beyond absurd, both on social policy and on foreign policy. Both sets of policies are fully embodied by Alan Keyes, who on social issues wants abortion outlawed in cases of rape and incest and on foreign policy issues wanted to use Iraq as a "tar baby".

How is the neoconservative policy a conservative principle? They embarrass our nation by begging the Iraqi government to take our troops, free security, and free infrastructure money. Meanwhile, the Iraqi prime minister is handing out bags of cash to the poor on Iraqi streets. Oh the irony. Conservatives love the idea of fully funding the war to the extent that the Iraqi leader gives out bags of cash to the poor, yet they would be up in arms if a Democratic President gave out bags of cash to the poor on American streets. Please save a place for me in your bizarro world. I vote for no bags of cash up to $8,000 for random people on the streets, whether they live in Baghdad or San Francisco.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/12/iraq-pm-al-maliki-handing_n_112340.html

Emanuel said...

I think the main thing we all need to realize is this: times are tough, and certain things are worth fighting for right now and some aren't. Right now, I don't think this is (compared to other issues right now). The blog owner, ABNPOPPA, might not agree with me and most of you posting, but we are all allowed differing opinions (freedom of speech). What I think is important is we all stick together. When 9-11 happened everybody banded together and got stuff done (you can argue the Patriot act was good and bad, that isn't the point). My point is, why was that the only situation that called for "Patriotism" and people working together. I remember hearing "if you weren't for Bush you were for the Terrorists." Well, this situation isn't a physical threat, but an economical threat. How about instead of taking this situation and saying "Because he did this I will never trust him as a president" you stand by his side and try to help the country and the world out, just like you called for with Bush. The alternative is to sit in a corner with your arms crossed and pout for 3 years and 10 months. I'm not saying agree with him on everything he does, but instead of chastising him, come up with better alternatives and help out with those. You can still disagree while helping the situation out.

ABNPOPPA, thanks for stopping by my blog and the kind words. While I may not agree on this particular issue, having friendly debate and seeing both sides of the story are essential for being an informed and useful citizen.

Anonymous said...

What an utter waste of administrative time. We don't recruit dead soldiers. Add a checkbox to the recuitment form.

a. If killed, I will allow my flag drapped coffin to be viewed by the public.

b. If killed, I will NOT allow my flag drapped coffin to be viewed by the public.

Or is this too simple? (<-actually, no sarcasm here, maybe I'm missing something).

MightyMom said...

Pops,
AirmanMom put this up as her talking tuesday last week, I am going to repost here my comment over there...as it sums up my feelings and is faster than retyping them. But first and last. I don't have a dog in this fight so what YOU and the OTHER MILITARY FAMILIES feel is right is the right thing to do. PERIOD.

FROM AIRMANMON'S BLOG...................................................................



first off, you must tell me how many cuss words I'm allowed before you cut me off....


ok...I'll go back and delete the cuss words...or most of them deal??


I have a REAL BIG problem with our current media. Especially in the way that they treat the families and victims of tragedy. Not just our military but any poor soul suddenly thrust into tragedy. Suddenly these poor souls have reporters hounding their homes and calling their cell phones for that oh so precious quote. That sound byte that the media can then critique and expound upon.

(remember, I've deleted a whole bunch of swear words here)
get the camera out of the widow's face, you ______. Do not call or visit a greiving family's home.

And by all that is Holy, Do Not, and I mean Do NOT rush around trying to be the first one to photograph a coffin.


Did you know. at new years John Travolta's son died. There is video of a coffin being loaded from the funeral home that held his son...and driven to the airport...and loaded into a plane.

It was only after the family was safely in the air that the media was told the whole thing was a farce. His son had been cremated and traveled with the family back to Fla to be buried.

Why in the bloody Hell should a person have to go to such enormous lengths to protect their grief from prying eyes???????


AND YOU WANT TO DO THIS TO OUR HEROIC MILITARY????!!!!!


!@@###E$%^^*%*^&(()*()(^&$%#$%$^^&%^&%#$


(did you get my drift there?)


I'm sorry folks but either I'm cynical or you're naieve. I honestly believe that if there is no official ban those pictures will be out there, on the news...on youtube...in the paper whether the family wants them or not.

tis better to never have them taken in the first place. If you'd like a picture of your serviceperson coming home then either bring your camera or ask someone else to.

honest oshkosh.

Unknown said...

pops...this topic is one which obviously touches a nerve to many! Thank you for posting and allowing this dialog on your blog. Afterall, isn't this freedom of speech one of our freedoms, we have lost soldiers for generations!
Please allow me to address a couple quick points to those who have a name....
Emanuel...time and time again, the media has proven when given an inch they TAKE a mile. As a 2 Blue Star mom, if ever in that most horrible nightmare...I believe the motive of this ban was out of respect for the family.
cassandra...excellent! There are plenty of military blogs to visit, whether our loved one is overseas or stateside, we share a bond!
raf...your point is right on target! who overrides who? why does a family need to deal with this at such a moment?
veronica...I totally agree with pops regarding your comment!
mightymom...your words were worth the repost!
I'm done for now!
~AM

ABNPOPPA said...

Airmom,

Thanks for stopping back. I got an em from one of our bloggers who stated she didn't have a dog in the fight. Haven't heard that since I used it about 3 days ago!

I guess what really bothers me,and you hit the nail on the head, is the media. Give an inch take a mile.

My other great complaint but, I do respect their right to an opinion, is someone who DOESN'T have a dog in the fight.

I have great respect for people like Emanuel who stands up in supporting his position. He stands out by laying his name on the line. I, like Veronica J, have a slight problem with anonymous postings whoever they are. It's as if they don't want to be responsible for what goes on inside their brain and comes out their mouth.

BUT THEY WILL GET POSTED, unless they basically use bad language.

Pops

ABNPOPPA said...

Opps!

Forgot to thank Emanuel for stopping back. I do believe you are getting close to being a Conservative. We think very much alike. Let's get back to doing what is best for the UNITED (capital letters intended) States of America and not so much for ourselves. If we ALL put the UNTIED States of America first we will be a lot better off.

Thanks Emanuel.

Pops

Emanuel said...

You are welcome. I as well have respect for people who are willing to make a stand, explain it, defend it, but still have respect for all and not take things personally.

As for being a Conservative, I don't like saying I'm on one side or another. I think there is a problem right now where people align with a side blindly. I prefer to think about every situation and problem and come up with my own belief, which might be Conservative or might be Liberal. Aligning with a side and doing everything they say is dangerous as it removes free thought and removes the checks on the government by the populace.

I appreciate you providing this "free forum" for discussion. I look forward to discussing and talking about other things in the future.

ABNPOPPA said...

I have copied and pasted HOKIES comment and will attempt to answer as best I can.

"I am not happy because quite honestly, when you have lost someone you love, you are angry, sad, happy, all the emotions that make us often not think clearly."

ANSWER:
You have re-quoted the best reason in the world NOT to allow this process to happen. "...all the emotions that make us often not think clearly." 'Nuff said!



It's always so much fun arguing with neocons, because they're blind to the fact that their loyalty to the Republican Party has made them veer so far to the right that they are now on the left. From your own statement, you justify empowering the government over the individual because the individual may not "think clearly". I thought conservatives wanted a smaller and less powerful government that gave personal responsibility to the individual?

ANSEWER:

My goodness that certainly was a mouth full but, here goes.

First we are not arguing it takes more than one to argue and I for one am not arguing. I AM discussing different points of view in an intelligent way. Are you?

Thank you for calling me and the rest of us Conservatives Neocons. According to Dictionary.com we are:

...hopeful, not lugubrious; forward-looking, not nostalgic; and its general tone is cheerful, not grim or dyspeptic. Pardon my language but, sure beats the Hell out of the opposite way of thinking!

Again, you may have missed the comment about giving up most of your "rights" when you enter the military. You may not understand that. Again, some people are willing to SACRIFICE for the GOOD of the Nation. Are You?

Why so defensive about Bush? Good grief, it's like a kneejerk reaction that if you don't agree with a particular Bush policy you must automatically be a "Bush-hater". Your self-pity is not a desirable trait.

ANSWER:

You may not be reading the same blog as I am. I don't recall stating anything about people who have been called "Bush haters". I do not condone the referral of the holder of highest office in the land by his last name. I don't believe you will find any of my comments where I have referred to President Bush as "Bush" nor do I refer to President Obama as "Obama". If I have it was purely unintentional. I take great pains in the course of my day to correct and remind people I talk with that President Obama does hold the highest office in our country and won it AND should be respected.

Regarding pity, I ask no pity from you or any one! I am proud to have a family that has and is making great sacrifices. Again, I ask NO pity from you or any one!


The fact remains that the primary platform positions of the Republican Party are beyond absurd, both on social policy and on foreign policy. Both sets of policies are fully embodied by Alan Keyes, who on social issues wants abortion outlawed in cases of rape and incest and on foreign policy issues wanted to use Iraq as a "tar baby".

ANSWER:

You seem to have the Republican Party pretty well nailed to the wall. If you would be so kind just what IS the parties position. True Conservatives have been looking for it for several years. It is difficult for me to not address your comment about Alan Keys, as I do believe in many of the same causes as he does. Abortion being one, and the Vietnam War being another. My only comment there and has been with Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and what I will refer as the battle of Mogadishu is the politicians are out of their area of expertise. Let the soldiers fight the battles and the politicians talk about them.

How is the neoconservative policy a conservative principle? They embarrass our nation by begging the Iraqi government to take our troops, free security, and free infrastructure money. Meanwhile, the Iraqi prime minister is handing out bags of cash to the poor on Iraqi streets. Oh the irony. Conservatives love the idea of fully funding the war to the extent that the Iraqi leader gives out bags of cash to the poor, yet they would be up in arms if a Democratic President gave out bags of cash to the poor on American streets. Please save a place for me in your bizarro world. I vote for no bags of cash up to $8,000 for random people on the streets, whether they live in Baghdad or San Francisco.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/12/iraq-pm-al-maliki-handing_n_112340.html

ANSWER:

If you are embarrassed by our county perhaps you could find one where you views and opinions would fit better. Having said that, the mere fact we, you and I, are able to carry on this most precious freedom, speech, should be explanation enough. Quite frankly I don't give a rat's butt what France, Germany, Spain or any other county think about the United States of America. I have post on my Conservative Outrage blog many reasons that Canadians come to America to birth their children, Mexicans practically storm the borders to get here and the Europeans find flock here for their serious medical problems. If I can, as we have done many, many times help foreign countries better themselves so be it. I ain't beholding to them. The Lord helps them who help themselves.

The Huffington Post you quoted was interesting HOWEVER,
A. it was old,
B. as with many anonymous postings it was incomplete. You probably meant to include this but didn't:

Most of the grants the prime minister gives out are only $200 to $400 to help those needing medical care, widows or people without jobs. On one recent visit to the riverside Abu Nawas park in Baghdad, he gave a group of boys each the equivalent of $40 in dinars to buy soccer balls. The biggest grants require documentation like letters from a hospital, his aides say.

Especially the part about soccer balls and hospital bills.

So be the lesson for the day.

You are always welcome. Why not be a follower over at Consevative Outrgage.blogspot.com.

Pops

Oh yes, God Bless America!!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you're in favor of government making personal decisions in the lives of people, particularly in their end days. Hello my fellow liberal, LOL!

"Quite frankly I don't give a rat's butt what France, Germany, Spain or any other county think about the United States of America."

Did you know that foreigners funded Bush's war of choice? First time that it's happened since the American Revolution. Yes, that's right, the American Revolution, centuries ago. Because of this economic crisis, the days are now numbered for which the American dollar is treated as the world's reserve currency, you can count on that. As long as our politicians fund wars not by revenue but by borrowing from foreigners, we will eventually have to worry about what the world community thinks about our wars, because they can cut off our funding if they so desire or just charge absurd interest rates to discourage our use of military force. If the USA went to war that the Chinese government strongly objected to, they could just flood the market with the trillion dollars in US treasury notes that they hold and the US wouldn't be able to borrow the funds to sustain the war. By not paying for wars ourselves, we have put the funding of our wars in the hands of countries that lend us money to fight these wars.

I'm sure you must think that I'm a "scary liberal", but I would have considered voting for Ron Paul if he had won the Republican primary.

The neoconservative wing of the Republican Party doesn't understand the concept that the world community has deemed that war must be expensive. That's why we outlaw nuclear weapons. Not because conventional weapons can't kill a lot of people, but because nuclear weapons lower the cost of killing on a per person basis by an order of magnitude. That's why economic sanctions are the method of choice for dealing with countries like North Korea and Iran. Make sure that the economic sanctions damage their economy at a level that will make pursuit of a nuclear weapon to not be an economically wise decision. But the main point is this: war is expensive. I know that neocons want to police the entire world (which sounds more like a liberal policy if you ask me), but we can't afford to do it.

Also, please explain how it's a conservative principle to give out $40 for soccer balls to Baghdad children with US taxpayer dollars while the Iraqi government sits on a surplus in the range of tens of billions of dollars. Sounds like you're a liberal and didn't know it.

ABNPOPPA said...

Hokies,

No wonder it's so warm in Washington D.C. It's all the hot air coming from the liberal democrats trying to spin everything. You seem to have caught the bug also.

Your points on the original posting are well made and well taken. It just so happens I have a dog in this fight. He chose to accept to sacrifice some of his rights to secure our county. God forbid my wife ever becomes a Gold Star mother but should God so decide we will not allow the memory of our child to be used as media fodder to sell papers and advertisements.

You quite honestly seem quite hostile toward any logical comments and discussion. This blog is not a forum for world politics therefore if you have further comments please take them to my other blog Conservative Outrage.blogspot.com.

Thank you for stopping by and commenting.

Pops

Anonymous said...

Your family should have the right to tell the media to stay away from your child if, God forbids, something were to happen to your child. Your argument would make sense if I was in favor of media coverage without the family's permission, but I'm not. I think the soldier and his/her family should decide this personal issue and the government should stay out of their business.

Anonymous said...

In response to Hokies..

I find it so gratifying that facts often cause name calling. I don't believe I said anyting about bush haters or democrats or republicans. And truth be told, I am a democrat. Now with that being said, I do not agree with everything that is done but I don't believe I need a "knee-jerk" reaction to know that when you have lost someone you don't always thing clearly or have you never lost anyone close to you?

All I ask, is stop making this about a bush hater or clinton hater or an obama hater or whatever hater you want to be. Make it about the honor respect and sacrifice that is given daily so you can "label" anyone who may not agree with you.

If you can not... Then please, look in the mirror and ask yourself am I any better than the person I am labeling. I am pretty sure you wind up telling yourself saying no. At least as long as you are not a machine.

ABNPOPPA said...

Veronica J,

As I told Emanuel I like it when someone stands up and is counted for their beliefs. It shows courage and that they truly do believe what they are saying. They are willig to "take responsiblity for their actions.

Good for you. I am sure as a Democrat you have taken some heat on this stand and others. I would only say Good for you, stand firm in what you believe!

Thanks for you intelligent and kind comments. Hope you come back on a regular basis. If you get the chance slid over to my other blog Conservative Outrage.blogspot.com We have some interestin discussions over there about a varity of issues.

Pops

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