NYT's "Flat Daddy" picture.

[gulliver]

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/30/us/30daddy.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[Captain Hilts]

1. I was a military kid and I just don't know what to think about this. Other

than it's damned strange.

[China_cat]

6. I have a feeling it has its origin in a story

called Flat Anna (I think that's the name, can't remember the author), where a mother has her child outlined on a piece of paper, they color it together and send it to relatives that they don't have the money to visit. With instructions to pass it on to the next person on the list.

That would be ok if that was as far as it went but in the story, the paper child is kidnapped and molested and it takes a really ugly turn of events.

[Buzz Clik]

2. Perfect summary.

We've had family in damned near every military conflict since WWI, and I cannot think of a time when the family would have taken comfort in having a cardboard cutout of our soldier. Letters, tapes, phonecall, quick visits during R&R ... but this?

How odd.

[shadowknows69]

3. I think its obscene

and damaging to any children involved. Kids shouldn't have to get used to their parents being away fro a year, back six months then away for a year.

[Bigmack]

4. This country has no soul!

The dead... the wounded.... the families stir-fried....

And for NOTHING!!!

[Wilber_Stool]

5. This comes from the same people

that imply that a long distance phone call on your son's birthday is just as good as being there.
The gop is just the worlds largest PR firm.

[OneBlueSky]

7. and at Jesus Camp, they pray to pictures of George W. Bush . . .

unbelievable . . . a good portion of this country has lost its soul . . . and its brain . . .