This woman is dead now

[maggrwaggr]

Thank you, George Bush and Co. Without you, this woman would still be alive today.

I know this is a senseless post, but her death is a senseless death.

I saw this picture and it really bothered me. Maybe it's because she looks so happy.

[Guaranteed]

1. F***ed up. nt

[corporatewhore]

2. I wonder what gw would feel if that woman was jenna

[okieinpain]

9. remember one of those twins had surgery and he went fishing

[Skittles]

27. YES

those girls know full well their dad doesn't give a damn about them

[Military Brat]

33. At least bush has 2 daughters; this soldier was an only child

I cannot even begin to imagine the grief. Operation FUBAR takes another of our finest.

[grannylib]

40. His parents are the same, when Chimp's sister Robyn died HW and Babs

went golfing...

[AP]

3. Why isn't there more outrage over soldier's deaths?

Is it because pre-war, the phrase "don't you support the soldiers" was somehow twisted into an argument FOR invading Iraq?

Is it because Bush keeps treating soldiers so poorly (in terms of pay and feeding them) that Americans now really think of them as expendable schmos. Anyone who makes 12,000 a year really can't be making a totally valuable contribution to society, right?

I really don't undrestand how in Kosvo one US soldiers combat death would have been a mortal wound to US engagement. Yet, 100s dead in Iraq produce little more than a vague sense of disquiet among moderate voters.

[ochazuke]

7. Money seems to mean more than human life

When Bush submitted the $87 billion dollar proposal to re-build Iraq, he hit the lowest approval levels of his presidency. I heard grumbling about it at the local post office.

But soldiers dying day after day? I haven't overheard any grumbling about that. The press say that the people are willing to tolerate it.

How sad.

[Barkley]

18. Blood for Oil

"I really don't undrestand how in Kosvo one US soldiers combat death would have been a mortal wound to US engagement. Yet, 100s dead in Iraq produce little more than a vague sense of disquiet among moderate voters."


I think you hit the nail on the head: "Cost and Benefits".
People somehow measure and equate Costs and Benefits in order to justify their actions.

Although the cost of a soldier's life is the same regardless of the conflict the benefits differ dramatically: In Kosovo, the benefits are allegedly a more stable Europe, which the U.S. only indirectly benefits. So the U.S. is not willing to pay a high price for this military engagement.

In Iraq, the benefits are direct U.S. control of the world's second largest oil reserves. Consequently, the willingness to accept heavy casualties in Iraq.

I do not personally or professionally subscribe to measuring peoples lives in barrels of oil but apparently many Americans do.

Also the invasion of Iraq occured in the post-911 era of "you either stand with me or with the terrorist" and "watch what you say". And Bush has linked Iraq to 9-11; Kosovo has no terrorts affiliation, yet. Consequently, I believe that many "moderate voters" are very upset about the soldoiers deaths and casualties as you are but are afraid of speaking out.

[Lost4words]

19. Great Post Barkley, Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[AP]

32. Yes. I think the Republicans have very successfully sold this war as one

in which a lot is at stake. 9/11 and SH are to thank for that.

It's crazy.

[SharonAnn]

37. I think we're not going to end up benefitting from Iraq War

I just have this sinking feeling that the whole thing is going to fall apart and we'll have a place like Afghanistan or Iran there and they'll sow disruption and terror world-wide.

[blondeatlast]

29. We all wonder the same thing. I think it is because we are being

shielded from the horror, unlike in Vietnam.

[rman]

39. hardly reported by the media establishment

official Bush policy not to show the returning dead.
that's why.

bless the independent press.

[Solly Mack]

4. It's not a senseless post .

Her death was senseless.

I wish I could mourn but my anger is too great.

[wtmusic]

5. That is very sad

Not a senseless post, a senseless war

[pansypoo53219]

6. and a senseless

fucking idiot pResident.

[Andy_Stephenson]

8. FUBAR

That is what it is.

[rasputin1952]

10. From the distance, the notes of Taps once again fill my ears...

and tears fill my eyes. The flag draped coffin of yet another brave soldier is prepared to take its occupant into eternal rest.

I have been down this road so many times, I hear Taps every night before I go to sleep.

I never knew this soldier, yet she was my sister in the service of the nation. When I was in the Army, we had a saying, 'we're all green here', and that is all that matters. I have no idea how she died, it is the fact that she died, with so many others since this war began, that is so bothersome.

This administration, with its evil leader, is taking this country to depths I never thought we could attain. It is the responsibility of all of us to band together and get this miserable piece of garbage permanently banished to Crawford.

It is so much harder when you see the faces of the slain. What would she have been, who was she? Was she a mother? She was certainly someones daughter. Does she have children? If not, the chance for her to bear fruit is now taken. Perhaps, she would have given birth to a great writer, or a rights activist. We'll never know.

I close with a hope and a prayer that all of our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines will soon be out of harms way from this immoral, unjust war that the Texas cretin pushed so hard for.

His bed in hell is all prepared, and the next time someone tells me that "Clinton lied", I will hold up this picture and say, "so did bush, and it cost THIS woman her life".

Rest in Peace soldier, I will hear Taps again tonight.

O8)

edited: just too tired and sad to gather my thoughts, so I had some puntuation errors.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

20. The look so young

When I was kid and everybody was talking about the tragedy of the boys being killed in the Vietnam war, I didn't fully understand it, because to my childish mind, they were practically like old men. It was scary, but incomprehensible.

Now that I am 40, I look at these pictures and think that they look so young. They will never have a chance to live; to grow old; to see their kids grow up if they have kids; if they don't have kids, their parents will now never see their grandkids; they will never be able to be a friend and comfort to their parents and siblings and friends in old age or sickness.

This can't continue. Because it makes no sense.

[diamond14]

11. more pics of CPT Hampton.....a tragic loss of a vibrant YOUNG

talented woman....her blood is on bush*'s hands....


May she rest in peace...O8)


CPT Hampton relaxes in Korea with colleagues




goodbye, CPT Hampton....if not for bush*, you would have been able to contribute your skills to our National Security, for many years...
We are sad that bush* cared so little about your life... that bush* would order you to Iraq, to DIE for the "bush* immoral/illegal oil war"...




Two CODEPINK women infiltrated a luncheon on September 10, 2003 at the National Press Club. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was speaking about his recent visit to Iraq and the need for a continued war on terrorism, especially as we mark the second anniversary of the attacks of September 11th, 2001.

[Minstrel Boy]

36. thanks for those

The Code Pink photo looks especially powerful in that company.

[Hippo_Tron]

12. Not a senseless post...

I now very much regret not joining the protesting effort while I had a chance.

[diamond14]

15. you still have a chance....come join us...March 20, 2004 all across

America...everybody is STILL STANDING UP....March 20th is the ONE YEAR anniversary of the bush* Iraq bloodbath....

read about it here, and STAND UP, join your neighbors, your friends, and people all across America....we need YOU to join the 'protesting effort'...it's fun, it's a parade, join Veterans, old people, young people, community people, your neighbors...in cities all across America....bring balloons, costumes, street theatre, floats, music, your smile, your protest sign....your family and friends...STAND UP
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=2136


Military Families and Veterans protest Iraq war...

[lebkuchen]

13. I read a piece on a young guy who came back blind,

having also sustained injuries to his brain. His mother recounted her many days at the military hospital, waiting for him to come out of his coma. She told of the many injured she saw moving up and down the halls. One casualty was of a woman soldier who had lost both her legs and was walking down the hall on her hands, with her toddler child walking behind, who was about as tall as she was post-amputation. The mother of the blind son sounded remorseful that her son had to have returned blind rather than losing an appendage.

In either case, we don't see Bush photo-oping with these troops. Most Americans aren't even aware of the casualty rate.

[Rex]

14. A good friend is going over there at the end of Jan.

His baby girl will be two in Feb.

I hate the Bush clan.

[PeakOil2008]

16. Not a senseless post at all, maggrwaggr. In fact, I thank you for posting.

I probably would not have known about this poor young woman, otherwise. Although I never take any pleasure in seeing pictures and stories about fallen soldiers, each one that I see reminds me of the terrible tragedy that we currently face in this nation.

This war is a product of years of apathy and complacency towards our government and our elected officials. When no one bothers to ask questions of them, our political leaders begin to believe that they can get away with anything. After all, the people don't tell them otherwise, so it must be okay. Over the years, unscrupulous politicians, businessmen, and even clergy and union leaders have gotten into the act, by twisting and distorting government power to suit their own needs and desires.

This corruption will continue for as long as the American people are willing and/or able to turn a blind eye and ear to their leaders' shenanigans. How many more Ms. Hampton's will perish before the American people reawaken to deadly PNAC virus that threatens the lives of their children, and the very future of their country?

[madforffingyears]

17. Bush has killed more than Johnson did in Vietnam

When Nixon finished killing off those that Jonhson saved from death even he does not have the guilt on his bloody hands that bush does.

bush has slaughterd more people in the last year than all the traffic accidents and usless gun nuts murders combined.

[Cooley Hurd]

21. Easy for the armchair generals to absorb the deaths....

...when they don't have to see the faces of the dead or speak to the next of kin.

You think Rumsfeld loses one minute of sleep? Or Perle? Or Wolfowitz? The dead and wounded are mere chess pieces to these sinister fuckers...

[Mari333]

23. You got it

and I get to sit here for the next year waiting, waiting, waiting, for my stepson to come home from that goddmned nightmare.
and every day I will wonder if he will survive.
The assholes in the White House dont care who any of them are.

[diamond14]

31. come join US...Patriotic Americans....March 20, 2004...the anniversary

the ONE year anniversary....of bush* war, which bush* said would last only six weeks, and cost only $ 1.7 Billion....

STAND UP, Mari333....join us....the more voices that SPEAK UP, the better...

read about it here, and STAND UP, join your neighbors, your friends, and people all across America....we need YOU to join the 'protesting effort'...it's fun, it's a parade, join Veterans, old people, young people, community people, your neighbors...in cities all across America....bring balloons, costumes, street theatre, floats, music, your smile, your protest sign....your family and friends....or just bring yourself and walk along the street with the rest of us...STAND UP for your stepson...
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/



Military Families and Veterans protest Iraq war...

[Nlighten1]

22. To quote the GW and paraphrase:

"You wouldn't send your son or daughter to war, would you?"

[PSR40004]

24. The poor girl we must protect them...

People could she be happy cause she was doing what she wanted to do? Believe it or not around Knox we have alot of service people (yes even women) that would perfer no other job. I detect a note of sexism in that somehow we must protect these "poor" women...

[Bridget Burke]

25. It could as easily have been a young man.....

Or an older one--I remember one death of a 50+ reservist who was a grandfather. It's just a matter of putting faces on the numbers.

The service can be a fine career even if dangerous--accidents happen in peacetime, too. But to be killed in an illegal war designed to benefit a few corporate interests is a bloody waste.

I'm a feminist, too, but I didn't detect any sexism in the original post.

[alfredo]

26. I have a friend, a grandfather and reservist ready to go. He has

failed his last Army physical, but now they have transferred him from artillery to infantry and told him to report for deployment.

[Mari333]

28. Yes they are using everyone

and stretching the young reservists and guard to the breaking point..for nothing..for Greed..thats it..
and these are just kids, teenagers with guns..
being used like sheep to the slaughter in a war based on deceit, outright lies, and deception by old men who dont care and never did.
Is there a light at the end of the tunnel???
Im so sick right now of all this I can hardly bear it anymore.

[philosophie_en_rose]

38. It's not sexism. They all shouldn't be there.

It's not about protecting "helpless women." I have no doubt that there are thousands of people that enjoy their military careers. However, this woman's life was thrown away.

It's a tragedy.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

30. Jesus wept

[jmowreader]

34. First female 82nd Airborne soldier to die in Iraq

The Fayetteville Observer doesn't show her on its homepage now. She's in there somewhere, but they don't keep 82nd Airborne deaths up there too long. We can't destroy the community's support for the "troops," now can we?

[HereSince1628]

35. An addition to the thousands...

a more female, prettier death, perhaps.

We each reach our own points where the pain becomes too real, too much to forgive.

I feel like the Lorax, who weeps for the Iraqis?
Who weeps for lives ploughed under by wounds?
Who weeps for the thousands of children dead from dirty water, hunger? Did we not kill those doe eyes too through sanctions?

A slick of oil floats open a sea of tears. For what?
a freedom known as laissez-faire

[bobthedrummer]

41. A sensitive post

about another senseless Bush war on terror death.
Her blood is on his hands, all the blood is on George W. Bush's hands.