Oh Beth...thank you so much! Me and my family really appreciate your sacrifice!! Please let Jim know we said so. We are so greatful for our freedom...even if we lost everything else, I know it would still be ok cause we would be free to start again.

I am going to bed now and I will say a prayer that included you all in it.

Awwww, Beth, every time I hear that letter from Jim, it leaves me feeling so very proud of what he's done, and all the soldiers over there! Thank you for posting it. I wish there were more soldiers that would write about the reasons they see as to why they are over there. To actually see it through a soldiers eyes, makes you realize that it's not all about George W. Bush...it's about the people in Iraq, and their freedom.

It saddens me to think that little Norda was killed shortly after that photo was taken. To think that she touched Jim's life like that, and then she was gone. What an impact she made! She sure was a cute little girl.

Thanks for sharing Jim's letter with us.

Even though I am quite political I'm not getting into this debate here for many reasons. Does it really matter in TT how I vote or what my views are? Rather keep it that way! I did however want to comment on Beth's hubby's letter. Yes please tell your hubby that we are proud of him and Thank You. The fact that the little girl was killed shortly after does break my heart. All the little girls and boys being killed needlessly (everywhere....not just there of course)! His letter and the after story is both sweet and painful in so many ways. Thank you for sharing not only the story but your husband.

I like Nanner have very strong political opinions but this is not the place for them.

Stories like the above email should be share more often. But the squeaky wheel gets the attention in the media - bombings, etc.

I thank God each day for the men and women who have chosen to serve our country. They deserve our prayers, our thanks and our respect.

I completely understand being political and tried for the most part to keep my posts rather neutral that is of personal business and frankly none of mine.

I thank each of you for your dear comments, they are treasured...I should have added that this really was an old letter (about 2 years actually) I just kept it (along with all the letters my hubby sent me while he was over there). He has been back for over a year now, but we are still active duty...a few more years anyway, then retirement!!! YEAH!!!

The above email was very uncharacteristic of him and really is very dear to my heart because he shared something with me that he doesn't usually, will be treasured forever and I am glad that I was able to share this with you all also.

Thanks again

I'm really political too. I just want to add that I am glad to see different opinions expressed and also humanizing experiences shared.

That letter is striking, Beth. Wow and thanks.

Lady F, thanks for posting that Snopes link. I looked it up myself (as I do all things like this) but was walking out the door for the weekend and didn't have time to post it yet. So to whoever was offended one way or the other regarding the Jesus part of that quote, no worries...it doesn't exist.

My response to Kerry's "botched joke" was to laugh. How convenient it is to say something really stupid then attempt to cover by saying "I was only joking". Yeah, he's not the first big public figure to do so and he won't be the last. But it's pretty funny, to me, coming from someone who gets a great part of their amusement from nitpicking everything anyone of note in the opposing party has to say, and making durn sure THAT stays in the news. Best not to dish it out if you can't take it, sir . I just laugh at all of those things, once I check them out via Snopes; unfortunately there will be those who will base their votes on it without bothering to verify it. I am not going to get into politics any further here (everyone make sure they vote this week! Unless you disagree with me...*WINK* <<< joke ).

I have to agree with Pink (for one)...he should not have said it in the first place, and having said it and KNOWING how it would be taken, he should have dealt with it immediately IMO. The only thing he's accomplishing now is to make himself look worse, and to continue to get people riled up. A simple "wow, I didn't mean it like that, I'm sorry I said it" would have gone so much farther. That's what MY Mommy taught me to do....But then I was taught to have respect for leaders even if you don't like them and obviously Kerry doesn't do that either so...*shrug*

For the record, I don't know what Kerry was actually saying, because I was not in his head at the moment. The only ones who know for sure what he meant are Kerry and God. Anyone who says they know FOR SURE what he meant is obviously not being truthful, unless of course they WERE inside his head at the moment -- or are, in fact, God. So I don't think it's worth a second of argument. But personally I did not take it as a slight against Bush (which would not, by the way, be a "JOKE". Slight....joke....not even in the same ballpark, TYVM.). I don't think he MEANT to slight the troops but it sounded like he was.

I had a long paragraph typed about the Jesus comparison but decided not to post it since that part of the quote is fake anyway... Guess I also won't get into my opinion of a person who would deliberately fake a quote like that....knowing it is practically guaranteed to incite argument, among other things.

Beth, thanks for sharing your husband's letter. Pink, Brady, Jonathan, and anyone else reading this who is serving or has served in the past, thank you, too. I support our troops 100%, as should all Americans IMO, regardless of how theyfeel about their assignment.

I love it when and if we are able to discuss without getting argumentative or defensive.

Weeeeeeel. I was wondering when the fan was gonna get turned on with this thread.

90% (probably more) of what these people say is misspoken, and the meaning is lost through poor choice of words. Either way, if you're going to speak in public and be critical of others, well, I'll just say don't do it to begin with. There are many reasons Kerry lost the election, and his public speaking is certainly one of them. I probably opened the dam with that statement, lol. Yes, I know there are many more

For these public speakers who encourage discord and hate, I have one thing to say. Just go away. We as Americans agree on one thing, our troops are there for us, and we all appreciate it, no matter how badly it may sound at times. We need to stay behind them no matter what.

Just stop the hate speak. I for one am tired of it.

As for Kerry: Thanks Queen missing an I, You and I agree here. I believe that Kerry's attitude towards the military snuck out during his speech. He has held a degrading opinion of all things military since the 70's and it has always been evident.

The military in it to win the war on terror: You can bet your bottom dollar that they are. The Army stands on core values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage. Yes, sometimes a soldier makes a bad decision, it happens (and more often in a wartime situation, which is a foreign idea to many civilians). However, servicemen are there to complete a job and the vast majority of them strive to do the best they can to complete that job. Our job in Iraq is to move the country towards stability so that they can govern themselves democratically, and that is what the soldiers are doing there.

As for WMD: I know for a fact that they had them. I was there in 1991 when he used them on the Kurds. I participated in Operation Provide Comfort and flew to northern Iraq to administer aid to the Kurds who were afflicted with them. Maybe this isn't the evidence folks are looking for, but I am convinced because I saw the effects of the WMD's with my own eyes. I held the dying in my arms. He had them then and I don't doubt that he had them or at least the technology and supplies to fabricate more in 2002.


I'd like to thank every one of you who support our troops. When I returned from the first conflict in the gulf (Desert Storm / Desert Shield / Provide Comfort) I came back to a welcoming country. When I returned from my service in the Global War on Terrorism, I came back to a welcoming country. Word with "those who are in the know" is that I'll be deployed again in mid 2008, and I certainly hope that once again I come home to a welcoming country. I cannot express what that means to a soldier. I have 3 uncles who served in Veitnam and the all have discussed their treatment upon returning with me. I thank God that the majority of Americans stand behind the Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who serve.


Why do I serve? I can't really answer that question. I feel a need, a desire to do what I can to ensure the freedoms that we enjoy in the United States. I've visited 52 distinct countries in this world and I can tell you all that I have found none better than the United States of America. Yes, we have our problems, Yes there are countries who have "good" things going for them, however, in the end, I believe that the freedoms we enjoy here ARE worth dying for. I would gladly lay down my life so that my children as well as the rest of the folks in America can enjoy those freedoms.

A few things:

Please remember that not all of our members, indeed not all that have responded to this thread, are Americans...for whatever that's worth.

I re-read this thread several times and NEVER saw anyone say they do not support our troops. Please don't put words in people's mouths!

It was Queen Thunderthud, not Queen Purplewhip, who made the comments Orville agrees with.

I really like Meomyo's post.

Public speaking in general....everyone seems to get in trouble when they stray from the script. We all know how Bush, for example, is jumped upon regularly for something he said that was taken the wrong way, or pronounced incorrectly, or something like that. Every public figure and any political affiliation has those listeners whose sole purpose seems to be to POUNCE upon any errors made. If Bush had "botched a joke" in this way, you can bet the other party would be jumping on it in the EXACT SAME WAY. Personally - I am sick of this sort of thing. These are Kindergarten tactics. How DESPERATE are we?? Do we not have anything IMPORTANT to be debating?? Come on, people (and I don't mean the good people here - I mean the American people in general, and the media especially)....let's discuss REAL issues here, shall we? Leave this sort of petty nitpicking to the writers of Saturday Night Live and Mad TV where it belongs.

Bottom line to me, on what Kerry said, is that he should not have said such a thing in the first place, regardless of what he meant - but he certainly should have apologized profusely as soon as he realized what was going on. Someone didn't pass Public Image 101 in politician school.

Change of topic - am I the only one who's noticed even MORE negative campaign ads this time around? I mean in particular the ads where the person says NOTHING about what they will do - just what the other guy has done or plans to do that's BAD. BAAAAAD!!

On the other hand you have someone like this guy in New Orleans, who was busted with $90,000 in his freezer and his response to that was something along the lines of "gee, how did THAT get there? ". HIS ad says "Last *I* heard, Americans are still innocent until proven guilty. So vote for me! My guess is that people will. It IS New Orleans, after all.

I can't wait till the election is over tomorrow. Crossing my fingers for lots of clear victories...God save us from runoffs.

On LadyZ's few things:

I know that not all our members and not all that posted here are Americans. My post was mostly directed towards the Americans here. I apologize if I slighted Canada, the UK, Jamaca, or any of those wonderful countries in Europe, in my statement that none of the countries I've visited are better than the United States of America, remember, this is just an opinion of one who has spent time in many different countries.

I never said that anyone didn't support our troops. I just thanked those who do. In other thoughts: I don't see how one can support our troops and NOT support the leader of our troops, but then again, I come from a state where many fans of the state university love their football team, yet are hating the coach right now.

I'm sorry to Queen Thunderthud and Queen Purplewhip for mixxing you two up. Heck, at least I got the Queen part right.


Needless to say, I am passionate about this topic and made one of those "hasty posts" where you just spew emotion, not a well thought out reply. My feelings are in the words, I just didn't go back and check who said what and as a matter of fact, it doesn't really matter.

Mine were just general comments based on the entire thread, not directed at anyone's post in particular...just to clarify.

I might have to go edit out one of my closing statements though. Hope not.

That quote thing didn't work they way it was supposed to, I didn't want to quote myself...can you even do that??? I don't think so...anyway, the next line..."Of just what do you think I'm being cynical here? Show me yours and I'll show you mine." came from Rubberboots, so I was adressing that or at least trying to and botched it up...oops!!!

A man, a soldier who puts his life for a Country and shows he's proudly doing so is a beautiful thing. Orville your post brought tears to my eyes and warmed my heart, thankful to know you, thankful your my friend and thankful you fight for a Country you believe in. I can't see how anyone from another Country could not get teary eyed here as well reading your post that was so wonderful.

Beth, I fixed your quote.

It's an interesting quote, sounds pretty, but I don't think I agree with it. People are cynical about all sorts of things, based on the moment. I may be cynical about something one day and maybe not ever again. It has nothing to do with lacking anything. I guess I misunderstood your reason for including it in your post. I thought you were using it to say that someone was being cynical in this thread. Sorry!

And I still don't see ANY comments by ANYONE from another country criticizing or not supporting our soldiers. Again my comments were in general. Actually, if you want to get technical, I said what I did because I, like Lady Freckles, wondered what the British troops must have been thinking when their leader said such things about OUR military (leaving his own out). I was happy to see that he had not said them after all. Phew! But I don't know why there would be a problem with a non-American not feeling the same way about our troops as we do. Luckily no one said any such thing so we don't need to get into that!

I'm really enjoying this thread, too! Like Beth, I love seeing other people's points of view.