My sister's husband dead in Iraq - may Bush rot in hell.

[chequita guevara]

I'm sorry. I care. I don't know what else to say.

I think maybe, it might be easier, even if we don't agree with the war, to remember that he was helping to make life better for others. We make our own meaning in the world, and even if we disagree with our own government, we can find solace in the fact that he died trying to make a part of the world a better place. Religous and atheist alike agree there is no greater love a human can show another than this.

I hope that helps.

[Kidlicious]

Part of the great sacrifice that every service person makes when they join the military is the power to choose what wars they fight in.

Your brother in law made a great sacrifice for this country. I'm very gratefull for that sacrifice, and I'm very sorry for your lose.

[The Emperor Fabulous]

Condolences

[DanS]

My condolences.

[Seeker]

I think it's great she has such a loving family to take her in in this time.

Think of how difficult it would be for those women left alone.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

May both you and your sister find solace and peace.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by shawnmmcc
Also, since he died on Active Duty in a combat zone can she request he be buried in Arlington. Any info would be appreciated. Also, if she still has his child - as I mentioned they were just about to do in vitro, what happens with the benefits? Has this come up before?

I'm pretty sure the answer to both is yes. But I recommend contacting the office of either your or her congressperson to make sure. I'm sure that, for a war widow, they'll fall all over themselves to help.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Berzerker]

[SlowwHand]

You and yours will be in my thoughts and prayers.

That obvious emotion expressed, I feel I also should add that your anger is misplaced.
Hussein should bear the brunt of your hatred, along with literally millions of other family members.

[Mr. Harley]

Slowhand, they are not my leader. My anger would be against the Taliban and Osama bin Laden if he had been killed in Afghanistan. That was a war in the American tradition. I still might be irritated over the lack of resources put into it, but operations in mountainous terrain against guerrilla forces cause casualties. Period.

But this war was based on doctored intelligence, and an administration who deliberately muzzled and ignored the advice of professional intelligence and scenario people in the CIA, DOD, and state department. In fact they tried to use the Patriot Act to go after a military intelligence officer who was courageous enought to go public with their LIES about how the intelligence was handled, after it blew up in their face and they tried to deny they were warned.

Don't misunderstand me. I started a thread several months ago what should be done with Saddam, and personally feel we should let the Shia or Kurds deal with him. He is an evil man. But my brother-in-law in dead largely due to INCOMPETENCE, from an administration that FIRED a general (Shinseki) who tried to tell them they needed some number over 200,000 troops. So when Rumsfeld told a congressional committee several months ago that he didn't know he needed more troops I was appalled, at both him, and at the media for letting him get away with the lie. How can you not know if you fired someone for warning you? Oh, excuse me he just terminated Shinseki's career, he didn't really fire him.

I feel like someone whose family member died at the Battle of the Crater in 1864, or Gallipoli in WW1, or at Stalingrad (obviously from the losers standpoint). Screw-ups and miscalculations occur, but all of those examples are from incompetence, inaction, and down right stupidity at the hands of leaders who would never be exposed to the combat. If he had died of friendly fire in a training exercise I'd be no less upset, but I would not be incensed. Deaths during training in the military are inevitable, especially if you are doing it right. Same for friendly fire casualites.

BUT THIS WAS UNNECESSARY. If Bush had gotten Turkey and Nato on board, if he hadn't been in such a damn rush to get started, if he hadn't blown off all those stupid experts who kept bothering him with those silly details (Bush represent his administration, FYI), my sister's husband would more than likely would NOT BE DEAD. We only lost one hundred some odd in the first Desert Storm. See my point.

And the fact that Bush and Cheney both avoided Vietnam, an equally botched and manufactured conflict, and the fact they still JUSTIFY it, makes me angry. At least Clinton, not exactly someone of high moral character, admits simply he avoided it. Not that he "...had better things to do" (Cheney) or that he was taking risks flying his jet over the Gulf (Bush press release). My sister's husband death makes those statements OBSCENE.

Those who serve in the military in the combat services have all my respect. That is why I would not mind paying extra taxes to fund better VA hospitals, survivor benefits, etc. Nor extra money to keep armored divisions equipped with M1 Abrams and Bradley's, not this FUBAR called the Stryker. Now I get to bury someone else's mistake, and that is what brings me to tears as I type it.

[Provost Harrison]

Again, we all learn the hard way the lessons previously learned and forgotten: war is not cool or clever, and stories like this also bring it closer to home for everyone who is blasee and complacent about these things. My condolencies shawnmmcc to you and your sister. Time is a great healer...

[Atahualpa]

This reminds me that we should not take wars light heartly!

[Evil Knevil]

My condolences.

[Sirotnikov]

I'm very sorry to hear about that. I wish you and your sister the very best, and hope you can somehow deal with this tragedy.

I think this thread should be left far from politics.

[Vince278]