If your son or daughter was killed in Iraq today; would you believe it was for a good cause?

Question

This question is bi-partisan; I have CIB's from two campaigns and five military age kids. Two are Army Reserve nurses and one is in Marine Corp OCS. I'm not sure how I would feel.

Those of you believe in good causes OohRah! Now what if your child wrote to you saying he/she didn't understand why they were there? Both my daughters wrote from Camp Striker saying just that but they refused to abandon their units for any reason; even PCS....they stayed (and are fine so far).

Answer 1

Turn it inside out and look at it this way. Do the math and notice that we're averaging the loss of apporximately three military men a day in Iraq. How may civilians do we lose each day to traffic accidents, cancer caused by tobacco use and violent crime? Would you be so upset that you'd quit driving and riding in vehicles? Put out that cigarette? Lock all of your windows and doors and never, ever come out of your house ever again?
Think back to the days of Reagan. Why did he reflag oil tankers of foreign registry and give them armed escort courtesy of the U.S.Navy? Who should have fought the Desert Storm war but instead only came in to negotiate the cease fire agreement? Who, for the next 9 years, reused to uphold their own cease fire agreement -- to the point that the first of a long line of weapons inspectors resigned for having gotten so much run around and no support? So, Who SHOULD be fighting this war currently instead of a U.S.lead coalition? The answer to all of these questions is the U.N. The war (this one is actually a continuation of D.Storm) was never really ours to fight. So here's one more little tid-bit for you to think on. Since Kohfi's stepping down and Ban's stepping in (as Secretary General of the U.N.) an investigation has begun. It involves over 316 cases of rape and statutory rape committed by members of the U.N. during the last two years of Kohfi's reign -- many members have been sent home. Add to that the on-going investigations into the corrupt "Food For Oil" program again under Kohfi's reign, and it looks quite clear that all was not right with the U.N. Why has the media focused so intently on telling us how many of our fighting men (and women) have died in Iraq and yet little to not a word about the U.N.? Lets talk politics and agendas shall we?
To answer your question. If my 18 year old son, or any of my children should be killed, I will be more than a little "disturbed." If he should die in Iraq, I sould still have tolook at the bigger picture and console myself that he died trying to make the world a better place.

Answer 2

I don't think that I could really associate the two emotions in the presence of the death of my child. My loss could not be consoled.

However, I have to say that I reject the simplistic answers from some that say that "all wars are bad", implying that regardless of the the conflict, there can be no justification for any war. While I can sympathize with those that abhor the affects of war; death and destruction, I cannot honestly believe that they really believe this unless they are truely shut inside some "ivory tower" world where only their imaginations make up their realities.

I think that most of the people that believe that no war is justified have never been involved in the situations that prompt one. I wonder how many of the families of those killed on 9/11 honestly believe that those responsible for the planning and execution of that attack should not be fought when, where and with whatever degree of force is necessary to deter and defeat them. I really don't know, but if the majority would say that we should just go after those that were directly involved and not address the broader threat, I would frankly be shocked.

We live VERY sheltered lives here in America. The reality of warfar is far away and no longer has much impact on us. Maybe we have been dulled my video games and movies into thinking that when evil people do evil things, it isn't real somehow and nothing really has to be done about it beyond shutting off the game or changing a channel.

I would hope that should I be around when one of my children dies (for whatever reason, including fighting in a war) that I will consider their lives and how they lived them. I would remember the measure of their character and convictions and how they exercised their duty to their families, their communities and their country. And if one can "sum up" the value of their lives, I pray that they would have counted it an honor to have sacrificed their lives in the cause of freedom and liberty, ANYONE's freedom and liberty. God save me from the possibility that they get murdered by some illegal alien runing around in the country. You know my child would have a higher chance of being killed by one of them than by a terrorist don't you?

Nuff said.

Answer 3

Yes, I would feel it was for a good cause. Unlike some people who attempt to take control of their sons/daughters lives, (there have been many in here that do just that) I feel they are old enough to decide for themselves. Our family has always felt that whenever we have to fight for the freedoms we enjoy, is a good cause.

Even though it started out as a hunt for bin Laden, there are other issues at stake in this, and that is helping others to find democracy when they've been oppressed. And, since my family is there, they've sent back the pictures of all the good things that are getting done, not just the deaths that are reported.

If you'll notice, the only deaths of soldiers occurring of late are from helicopter crashes, which are not to be taken lightly. However, it does show they are doing better over there.

Please watch this important video from CN8 in New Jersey. An interview with 3 former terrorists, now tolerant and turned against them. They're telling it like it is and I sure wish Congress was listening to it. It's only about 15-20 minutes and it's gonna knock your socks off when you find out where their breeding cells and where the big bucks for funding them are coming from.

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=lk07b70&f=p...

Answer 4

i think of his daughters might desire to serve a excursion of accountability. i think of it would functionality a solid occasion for the yankee human beings. The queen of england's grandkids are serving of their militia. i'm specific if the George W. ladies have been enlisted we would be seeing an entire diverse form of conflict with extra aerial bombing and without lots of floor troops getting killed.

Answer 5

I have no children, but my sister is in Iraq. I have never been more proud of her in my entire life. If she dies today I will absolutely think she died for a good cause. Our military is the reason we are able to go to the store and not worry about some ****** with pipe bombs strapped to his body. Keep up the good work U.S Military.

Answer 6

I would believe it was a cause they believed in because most everyone has re-enlisted since the start. I would respect their commitment to what they felt was right. I would honor their courage and commitment to something larger than themselves.

Answer 7

I would be proud because my son or daughter did as they were told which is the cause for them. Now the people that put them in harms way when it is not absolutely necessary is another story.

Answer 8

Sure i would believe that it was for a good cause because i dont want them fighting over here anyways it is there choice if they want to go to the Army, Marines Ect... So they know what could happen.

Answer 9

I don't think I would ever find anything good about the death of my child, regardless of the cause. The natural order of things dictates that I am supposed to die first.

If he dies doing something he believed in, that would have to be good enough for me.

Answer 10

Any young man or woman who dies in Iraq today, dies in vain. Their courage should be honored, but their deaths would be the result of a corrupt agenda on the part of the American Government.

If my son or daughter were to die in Iraq, the world would not contain my grief or my anger.