This is how every soldier should be honored.

[knitter4democracy]

I read this in my local paper today:

http://battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061217/OPINION02/612170301/1014/OPINION

I can't snip and do justice to the piece. Please follow the link and read it. I wish every soldier who lost his or her life for our nation got this kind of treatment.

The best part is at the end, "Every now and then you see it: the silent majority that makes this country the best in the world." It's true. If only everyone knew more about this heinous war and saw the dead coming home in boxes and the wounded coming home to no treatment. I was glad he told this story.

[Little Wing]

1. Unless of course, they are the ones DU has flagged as unable to return

to society and should be locked up for the rest of their lives for stupid pranks caught on videotape :eyes:

[knitter4democracy]

2. Stupid pranks or war crimes? There's a difference.

Those who have knowingly raped, murdered, or coerced anything out of innocent civilians do need to be prosecuted. They sully the name of the American military and the United States as well. Conduct unbecoming is a real charge, and it should be prosecuted.

If you're referring to Abu Ghraib or the rape, murder, and immolation of the 15 year old girl and her family, please don't call them pranks. Those were war crimes. Even the Army calls them that.

[Little Wing]

3. No, I'm talking about pranks. Not Abu Ghraib stuff

The kind of things most teenagers get themselves into, but according to the mindless outrage volume mongers you find around here, they're to be locked up forever.

Of course, rarely are these types called on their quest to be the most shrill leftwing Nancy Graces on the board.

[knitter4democracy]

7. I'm sorry; I have no idea what you're referring to, then.

I haven't read much about pranks here, but many here are disturbed by the behavior exhibited by some in uniform, as we all should be--they represent all of us.

[Little Wing]

10. Here you go

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2785389&mesg_id=2785930

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2773824&mesg_id=2791725

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2921225&mesg_id=2921290

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2773824&mesg_id=2774325

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2773824&mesg_id=2781354

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2773824&mesg_id=2773962

[knitter4democracy]

12. I didn't think that water thing was funny or a prank.

I think some people went too far in their anger, yes, but I don't think it was a harmless prank. I watched the video, and it hurt to watch. I did mission work in college in some pretty poor areas in Central America, and I always felt bad that I couldn't give the kids my water.

Keep in mind that, in most areas, consistent, clean running water is rare now. Those kids were really thirsty, and while our troops get all the water they want (not necessarily clean, thanks to Halliburton), those kids don't. How would you like someone taunting your kid like that?

[Little Wing]

14. I'd think he was a dick

but I wouldn't be calling for his arm to get cut off, or 5 years in Leavenworth for the entire chain of command, or forbidding them to return to the Continental US.

[knitter4democracy]

15. I agree with that. Those men involved didn't commit war crimes.

They should still have some kind of punishment, but that's as the commanding officer sees fit.

[Raster]

6. What is your point?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

13. Libruls hare America, probably. -nt

[Raster]

16. DU did NOT flag these as unable to return. The posts you cited are

OPINIONS by INDIVIDUALS that post at DU. Not by DU. Don't paint with such a broad brush unless you are sure we are all comfortable with the color you are using. I for one am not.

[nradisic]

4. That article made me cry

We should honor our heroes much better than we usually do. That was a sad and at the same time heart-warming article.

It made me proud to call myself an American.

[knitter4democracy]

5. Made me cry, too.

It is also the first time I've read in our paper about how our soldiers, especially from outside our area, are dying and being shipped home in boxes.

[Kurovski]

8. K&R n/t

[MaggieSwanson]

9. I second the nomination.

I'd like to see our troops brought home NOW, not in boxes and with somber processions, but with joyful reunions and tears of happiness.

War is over, if we want it.

-M

[knitter4democracy]

11. Amen and amen to that!

We should be able to make this happen. Why can't we get our government to listen to us?