Lay off the 'shrooms, ELP.
More thoughts on Rumsfeld. I hope someone rubber stamps the letter telling him he's fired.
Poll Shows American Public Wising Up
Originally posted by: ELP
Did anyone read the title and thought it said 'Mushroom Stamped'?
No?
Okay, nevermind...
Originally posted by: phillyTIM
Not surprising - it's totally indicitive of how Bush's Regime operates - it's just a business front for Halliburton.
Bush & his CRAB Junta could care less about the little guys. God knows how they got 51% of the vote last month for atrocious acts such as this.
Yup. Though it seems it's too important to have an anti-Bush circlejerk for the folks in here rather than see reason.Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
Although currently casualties are low (per day) in Iraq, I think it's unreasonable to expect Donny to write a new letter every time. Don't forget: he doesn't know the person who died, and really can't have much to say as a result.
I think not signing them personally is pretty tacky; it means the reality is that Rumsfeld never wrote the letter, never looked at the letter, and has no idea that your child is dead, despite the stamped claim to the contrary.
Not that I've been in such a position, but I would think a family might get more feelings of true sympathy if COs wrote the letters (and signed them too, depending on logistics of sending the finished letter overseas versus sending it electronically), and someone in real command (Rumsfeld is still the obvious choice) also signed the letters.
A combination of personal attention from someone who knew the lost soldier, and awareness that your child's name and circumstance at least briefly crossed the desk and attention of the people in charge might give a better feeling that someone actually cares about your loss.
Originally posted by: yllus
Yup. Though it seems it's too important to have an anti-Bush circlejerk for the folks in here rather than see reason.Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
Although currently casualties are low (per day) in Iraq, I think it's unreasonable to expect Donny to write a new letter every time. Don't forget: he doesn't know the person who died, and really can't have much to say as a result.
I think not signing them personally is pretty tacky; it means the reality is that Rumsfeld never wrote the letter, never looked at the letter, and has no idea that your child is dead, despite the stamped claim to the contrary.
Not that I've been in such a position, but I would think a family might get more feelings of true sympathy if COs wrote the letters (and signed them too, depending on logistics of sending the finished letter overseas versus sending it electronically), and someone in real command (Rumsfeld is still the obvious choice) also signed the letters.
A combination of personal attention from someone who knew the lost soldier, and awareness that your child's name and circumstance at least briefly crossed the desk and attention of the people in charge might give a better feeling that someone actually cares about your loss.
Indeed. People die in war, regardless of whether it is a widely 'supported' war or not.Originally posted by: yllus
Yup. Though it seems it's too important to have an anti-Bush circlejerk for the folks in here rather than see reason.
I'm 100% in agreement that they should be handwritten - but not by the SecDef. It makes absolutely no sense for him to do it, how can he write about a person he's almost certainly never met? As others have said, better the soldier's CO or someone else. At least then the emotions in the letter can honestly be more personal and heartfelt.Originally posted by: PatboyX
its pretty common for the signatures to be hand-done. not the letters.
Originally posted by: BBond
The excuses Rumsfeld is making for failing to sign the letters are more insulting than his indifference to the loss of American lives. He didn't sign the letters to save time??? :roll:
With the resources at his fingertips there is no excuse. Rumsfeld could have his aides prepare the letters daily for his signature with just a word. Rumsfeld is devoid of any feeling. U.S. troops are just a means to an end for him. And his ends do not justify their deaths.
If [our son] had been killed, we would have been first informed by a visit - in dress blues - from a condolence team typically consisting of two Marines and one Navy Chaplain. We know many families who've received that knock on the door. No letter is required. No words are required. A simple peek thru the view hole in the door and the sight of dress blue blouses, white covers and white gloves tells you all you ever need to know. A letter of condolence from the SecDef is, honestly, not even worth opening. Families are much more interested in hearing from the men who served with their son and from their families. We share the constant knowledge and fear that it could be our door bell being rung. Sec. Rumsfeld doesn't know our son. He's a Lance Corporal. He directs a machine gun team. He is a vital link in the line that protects our way of life. He doesn't fight for his country, he doesn't fight for the SecDef, he doesn't even fight for his mom and dad. He fights for the guys on either side of him and for his team. He fights to secure his objective of the moment, which he may or may not understand or agree with. Sec Rumsfeld doesn't need to take time from his day to sign a form letter of condolence and he certainly doesn't need to take time to figure out what the LCpl was doing when he was killed or what kind of a man he was. His job is to make sure the LCpl didn't die in vain and that only as few LCpl's as possible will have to die to end this war in a successful manner.
Don't get me wrong, we would appreciate the condolence letter from the SecDef, as well as one from the White House and from our Senator and Representative, from the Mayor and Governor. But none would bring back our son. And they are all form letters, signatures be damned. A letter from his 1stSgt, from the men we know in his unit would be a treasure and a comfort.
I don't know what happens in other branches, or even other units. But in 2/4, I know the 1stSgt's personally contact the surviving family with letters, emails and phone calls of condolence.
By the way, we know families of fallen Marines who've been flown to sites where President Bush was speaking. He met with them privately after his event, never any press coverage, and the families have said that - after being given an agenda for their time with the President and being told that he's on a very tight schedule - Mr. Bush talked to every family member as long as they wanted to talk, never hurried anyone, cried with family, hugged everyone and they all felt like he had nothing else to do for the rest of the day but bring comfort to them. For that, George W. Bush has my eternal respect and gratitude. And there was NEVER one word of publicity surrounding any of these meetings with families. (I have pictures to dissuade doubters.)
Bottom line, we support Sec Rumsfeld. The people who are making a big deal about this have their heads up their collective a****. They need to have a serious priority check on what people in positions of responsibility should be doing with their time. They should also chat with some military families if they could figure out how to contact them.
Thanks for adding this - you'll note that a lot of people in the thread (including me) have already suggested that a letter from a CO, or another officer who knew the deceased soldier would be much more meaningful. Having the chance to talk to soldiers who knew the deceased would also be beneficial to families, though maybe not practical.Originally posted by: wiin
A Marine's Father Speaks