Let's start some type of fund raiser or the families of the POW's.

[TroubleMan]

I'm not an organizer, but I'm thinking about how the families of the POW's might feel. Maybe someone who's good at organizing stuff like this could do it. I'll contribute.

Most of us on DU support the troops the most because we want to bring them home. Let's show love for the families who have to suffer the most.

A dollar from everybody at DU could do a lot of good.

What do you think?

[proud patriot]

1. Here is a starting point

History of the MIA Flag
http://www.pow-miafamilies.org/flaghistory.html


Updated MIA list
http://www.scopesys.com/powmia/

[alcuno]

2. The US does not consider them to be POW's.

You have a noble idea, but as far as I know, there is only one US soldier being held hostage in Iraq; the boy from Ohio. The US government says he is not a POW, but a hostage.

Okay, that's a matter of semantics. But I don't know why we would give them money. I think if you could get an address, a card would be appropriate.

As for the civilians taken in Iraq, I tend to be ambivalent. Unlike the military, they had a choice whether or not to go into what is essentially a war zone. Honestly, I don't feel responsible for them.

[TroubleMan]

3. I don't care what DOD says...

they're POW's in my book. There's a war going on, and they were captured.

Being a former Marine, I can imagine how my parents would worry. If not money, we should do something.

[sangha]

4. You're right, but

how do you plan on getting anything to them?

[alcuno]

6. Here's the info on the local paper.

Clermont Sun
465 E. Main St.
Batavia, OH 45103-3003
513-732-2511

The boy's name is Pfc. Keith Maupin.

[sangha]

12. The hostage/POW is being held in Batavia, Ohio?

:shrug:

[happyending]

5. Well

I want my boy back.

Do you hear me?

I want him back.

I will put up $1,000 cash money, paid to those
who hold him, if they will give him back.

No bullshit.

Any others?

[TroubleMan]

7. I don't think that those who hold him want cash

The best way to help is do get bush out of office and support his family.

And I ain't got that much money...I have a wife and two kids in a bush economy...i.e. paycheck to paycheck - but I'll do what I can.

[happyending]

8. Jesus,

that will do him a lot of good, waiting for the elections.

This guy is not some abstract phenomena.

[TroubleMan]

9. Well what the fuck else can we do?

Throwing money at the guys who got him won't do shit. The only way to get him home is to put political pressure on the current administration to bring him home.

I'm telling you that the guys who got him don't want money. All the money in the world won't bring him home. They want concessions from bush. So in the meantime lets pressure bush and support his family.

Sorry for the profanity....I'm not cursing at you....it's the situation that's fucked up.

[happyending]

10. No problemo,

Troubleman.

But you do not know that throwing money
at this
will not solve the problem.

That's bullshit.

[TroubleMan]

11. I don't think that throwing money at the captors

is the right answer, because I believe money is not what they're after.

[happyending]

13. believe

what you like, mi amigo.

What is "right" anyway?

In the meanwhile, one of our boys is ....

nevermind

I give up.

Let him rot, let him be tortured, let him be raped.

As long as you believe....

[TroubleMan]

14. Don't give up

but do you honestly think that the guys who got him care about money?

They don't....they want concessions from the US, like the release of their hostages that we've got.

That will get our boy home....not throwing money at the captors.

Me as an average family man can't really do shit except protest bush, and try to provide comfort to the POW's family in what small ways I can.