Bereaved mother speaks out: For whom did my son die in Iraq?

[JoFerret]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04262/381101.stm

....
What Bush needed to do a year or more ago was to go to the United Nations with his hat in his hand and say, "We made a mistake. We thought we were doing the right thing, but now we have a mess that we can't handle. .... Will you help us fix this mistake?"

....
This presidential administration ignored experts .... -- they were too arrogant to change their direction even as the insurgency increased.

....

Their actions tarnished the reputation and honor of the United States. We are supposed to be better than other countries because we believe in individual rights.

The Abu Ghraib scandal not only tarnished our reputation, but has put all of servicepeople in jeopardy for decades to come. If we could abuse prisoners, what country will honor the Geneva Conventions when it comes to U.S. troops? The January 2002 memo by White House Counsel Alberto Gonzales about the treatment of prisoners scares me. He wrote that because "the war against terrorism is a new kind of war," it "renders obsolete Geneva's strict limitations on questioning of enemy prisoners and renders quaint some of its provisions." In my mind, this memo is Bush's Watergate. I do not understand how people who claim they believe in the ideals of our Founding Fathers can ignore this.

My son voted for Bush. If he were alive, would he be voting for him again? I am not sure. ....

John Kerry ....has demonstrated a willingness to be open-minded. He knows that changing your position is not a character flaw, but a character plus. I believe he is the only person capable of getting the rest of the world to help us clean up the mess created by Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and the administration's other Iraq hawks.

[moderatepenguin]

1. Diane, you GO girl!

According to me, he was killed by the arrogance and ineptitude of George W. Bush aided by Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

The superiority complex from which so many Americans seem to suffer needs to go away now.

[The Zanti Regent]

2. How many more lives must be destroyed.

My Jon lies in Walter Reed, a quadraplegic, 23, his life ruined.

How many more?

How many more?

[leftchick]

3. Is Jon your son?

:(
I don't know what to say....It is all so senseless.

[calimary]

8. Oh GOD! I've been crying about this all morning!

It started when I read Diane's LTTE. JEEZ!!! When does this END?!?!??! Then I see your post, and it's like a sucker punch. TWENTY-THREE YEARS OLD!! TWENTY-THREE YEARS OLD??!?!?!?!??!?!?!??!

I sent this to Diane, for whatever it's worth...

Dear Diane -

I saw your letter, online, in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

I am SO, SO sorry that you are in such anguish. NO mother should have to face this. I'm a mom, but my son is only 12. I can only guess at your agony, but it still brings tears to my eyes.

Diane, I'm one of many who stood out there on the sidewalks, and with lit candles, and signs, TRYING DESPERATELY to build awareness about the complete fiasco this war did indeed turn out to be. We tried so hard to stop it! We pleaded with our media and our reps. All they seemed to want to do was listen to the White House. They KEEP wanting to give them the benefit of the doubt. It's beyond my understanding.

I intend to keep fighting. I'm sorry that you had to join us in this way. My heart and my prayers go out to you, even though I realize that's cold comfort when you think of Neil. I hope other mothers can ultimately be spared your pain. Just know that you are NOT alone. Far more of us than you realize have read your letter and have been deeply touched by it. You make us realize that our struggle against this regime must NEVER be abandoned! You give us another worthy reason to keep fighting. I will continue - in Neil's name.

I'm working for Kerry, too. At least he's been to war and knows first-hand how horrible it is. And I'm sure he lost friends, too - to death, AND to lifetimes of serious injury, illness, and mental torture. War is NOT the Answer! That's a sticker that remains on my car. It's a message that remains in my heart.

My love and support to you - we cry together.

---------------

Now it looks like I'll be fighting on - in Jon's name, too.

I swear to God, I needed this, Zanti. I've been letting the polls and the White House/republi-CON blood lust and all the rest of it get to me. THIS is what we should all keep focused on. ENDING THIS. It renews my resolve NEVER to give up trying to stop this war and get this asshole OUT of OUR White House! This is reason enough to get up in the morning and gear up for more, and more resolute resistance.

God keep and comfort you. Hell, I don't know what else will...

[NNN0LHI]

4. This is one of the most powerful statements that I have ever read

Thanks for posting it.

Don

[KayLaw]

5. Frightening

She's so right about the Abu Grahib scandal and disregard for the Geneva Conventions making it unsafe for our troops. Bush and his cronies don't care that our children may end up receiving the treatment the detainees at Abu Grahib got. Their children will never fight in a war. Bush does not support our troops.

[radfringe]

6. the BIG unasked QUESTION

Why are we in even in Iraq?

over 1,000 dead, over 7,000 wounded, billions of dollars wasted -- for what?

[mike_c]

7. profits for Haliburton, GE, Bechtel, etc...

...and access to Iraqi oil. And to put the sharp point on a stick aimed at any other ME state that opposes U.S./Israeli influence in the region. In a word: corporate imperialism.

on edit: I wonder if Haliburton's annual statement will list all those dead Iraqis and their occupiers in the operating expenses column?