Thank You, Trail Talk!

“birch, you had every right to talk about your buddy on here. In a way TT might have been a way for you to release some of your feelings.

There are a lot of people who think every soldier in Iraq who got killed died in vain. I don't think they were picking on your friend but just saying it as a general statement.

People on here felt your loss. You brought the war closer to home(at least to me) whether it was good or bad.”

“Ewker I understand what you are saying but when Q and BB mention PJ by name as the reason they were motivated to speak out and changed opinion on the war then they both go one rampages calling names and insulting others who disagree with them is crap. I resent PJ name being used as a pretext to be a bully. I am all for folks reassessing beliefs and for making turnabouts in their life, we all should constantly re-evaluate our beliefs. But using PJ as your "cause" or motivation is disgusting.He would without a doubt HATE that being done. I have been hesitant to vent this on TT but this has been done too many times now. I couldnt bite my tongue any longer.

I apologize if I sound like a jerk,thats not my intention. Its really hard for me to try to articulate my point without my emotions coming through.”

“Well said, birch.
You said it just fine.”

“I'm with SS here dude, that was very well wrote.
And Q take care of yourself....sometimes a break from the net is a GOOD thing :)
last edited: 11/03/04 8:07:51 PM”

“We do what we have to do. You've shown more class them most, I'm gonna miss ya. If your ever out this way, look me up.


Peace be with you.”

“Does this mean the Thanksgiving trip is off?

Tara? Anybody???”

“Buddur I am sure the trip is still on, Q is just off TT for a spell.”

“who the hell is laqtis?”

“birch, You have no need to apologize for expressing yourself. I was worried you would take what I said the wrong way. I glad you knew what I meant.”

“Take it easy Q

Peace!!”

“am I missing something? so you promised to leave TT if Bush wins?
why would you do or say such a thing?

hey...psssttt....you could always sign on under a different name and pretent to be a newbie. Don't tell anyone though.”

“Well said birch and Ewker. birch, I don't think you realize how many people you and your friends story touched. I was very moved when I read it. Ewk hit on something in that it was sort of an everymans type of story for those of us who don't now someone over there. Unfortunatley, I've gotten to where I know many who are or have been over there and each story is touching. The use of the word unfortunatley is not used to imply whether I am for or against the war, btw. Basically, I'm saying thank you for sharing, thank you for PJ and family's sacrifice, and thank you that people like the both of you are out there. Sort of a "we need you on that wall, we want you on that wall...." reference.”

“Just found the thread. I'll miss ya Laqtis.

There is a tough line between saying how an event affected you, and politicizing it. Tragedies do affect how we think and feel. Still, it's just as easy to say that because of a death we should fight on, as to say we shouldn't - and to unnecessarily politicize a tragedy is something to be avoided.

Even if the war is wrong, the soldiers haven't fought or died in vain - for one, many died protecting the lives of others. For another, the strength of this country does depend in part on the willingness of our military to put themselves in harms way according to the lawful decisions of the civilian government. The professionalism and honor shown by the vast majority of those who fought has prevented this thing from being far worse than it otherwise would be.

I have many dear friends who are Japanese, as I lived in Japan as a little child. I think a lot about the dilemma they faced after World War II. The Japanese, in my opinion, were wrong in invading China and attacking the US - although I can see why people felt the Japanese justifications were compelling. Many Japanese soldiers involved committed atrocities, but many others - I think most - fought honorably. So the Japanese face a struggle - in a war marked by much dishonor and by defeat, how can the honor those who fought and died honorably - especially, friends, parents, grand-parents, husbands, etc. Even then, with a situation far more tarnished than ours in Iraq, I see great honor in those who served well for the Japanese - as I do in those few who opposed the war, and those who continue to speak the truth about the War. Again, there are some parallels to these two Wars in my opinion - including the doctrine of pre-emption - but the Japanese War was far far worse than America's current War. There is no moral equivalence. Still, there are lessons we could learn.”