'Wash Post' Op Ed: Father of Soldier Slain in Iraq Calls Death a 'Waste'

[sabra]

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001772674

'Wash Post' Op Ed: Father of Soldier Slain in Iraq Calls Death a 'Waste'

<snip>

Paul E. Schroeder is identified as managing director of a trade development firm in Cleveland. His son, Lance Cpl. Edward "Augie" Schroeder II, was one of 14 Marines from Ohio killed in Haditha on August 3.

Schoeder reveals that his son was killed on his fifth mission to clear Haditha. "In our last conversation," he explains, "Augie complained that the cost in lives to clear insurgents was 'less and less worth it,' because Marines have to keep coming back to clear the same places. Marine commanders in the field say the same thing. Without sufficient troops, they can't hold the towns."

Although many call his son a "hero," Schroder writes, "Two painful questions remain for all of us. Are the lives of Americans being killed in Iraq wasted? Are they dying in vain? President Bush says those who criticize staying the course are not honoring the dead. That is twisted logic: honor the fallen by killing another 2,000 troops in a broken policy?"

He concludes: "Though it hurts, I believe that his death -- and that of the other Americans who have died in Iraq -- was a waste. They were wasted in a belief that democracy would grow simply by removing a dictator -- a careless misunderstanding of what democracy requires. They were wasted by not sending enough troops to do the job needed in the resulting occupation -- a careless disregard for professional military counsel.

[beltanefauve]

1. Paul Schroeder joins

Cindy Sheehan and their legions grow.

"But their deaths will not be in vain if Americans stop hiding behind flag-draped hero masks and stop whispering their opposition to this war. Until then, the lives of other sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers and mothers may be wasted as well.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. from a mother

thank you

[SKKY]

3. Unfortunately for his son, I would have to agree with the father here...

[Bozita]

4. read it ... ... and weep!

from the WaPo op-ed:

"But their deaths will not be in vain if Americans stop hiding behind flag-draped hero masks and stop whispering their opposition to this war. Until then, the lives of other sons, daughters, husbands, wives, fathers and mothers may be wasted as well.

"This is very painful to acknowledge, and I have to live with it. So does President Bush."

[me b zola]

5. I remember these parents

Hell, I remember his son's face, the day he and his fellow Marines died. I saw Augie's parents on two seperate t.v. shows. They were devestated. It seemed as though the father wanted to be given a reason to continue to believe in the war, the mother seemed to hold back from screaming "bring them home now", but held back to speak in solidarity with her husband. These were just my perceptions, but I will never forget this family.

I will never forget because Augie reminded me of someone that I served with. I will never forget becasue of the pain & the struggle of Augie's parents.

I will never forget.

[BikeWriter]

6. "a careless disregard for professional military counsel." So true!

[Erika]

7. Jack Murtha was right

Now we have to wait for the rest of the country to wake up.

[fasttense]

8. The bottom line, don't let your sons and daughters die in a useless

war. Talk them out of joining the military. Until the Mad King George is out of office, going into the military is a death sentence. I'm sorry to see an honorable profession turned into cannon fodder for the King's political pleasure.

[saigon68]

9. They used to say--- "Kill a Commie for Christ"

Now they say "Kill a (insert racial epithet here) Head for Christ"

[Scairp]

10. Grief enables eloquence

"They were wasted in a belief that democracy would grow simply by removing a dictator -- a careless misunderstanding of what democracy requires."

I don't think I've heard it explained any more succinctly. It's amazing how the deep pain of losing a child can bring utter clarity.

[txindy]

11. I thought only Cindy Sheehan felt this way.

:sarcasm:

Will the wingnuts go after the Schroders, now?

[schaar]

12. Sad Story

I read that Op-Ed in today's Post. I feel for the father's pain. Chalk up another parent who is questioning why we are there.

[newyawker99]

15. Hi schaar!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[daydreamer]

13. Propaganda

They were wasted in a belief that democracy would grow simply by removing a dictator -

That's just the propaganda. Oil was the reason.

[arewenotdemo]

14. And Israel and war profiteering.