Originally posted by oboe
Hap, Doesn't your "beef" constitute an impeachable offense? I'm hard pressed to think of a higher crime or misdemeanor than intentionally taking a nation to war based on misleading or false information.
I agree the war is not lost-- its just a question of perspective. Saddam is gone, the WMD threat has been disproven, Iraq has a Constitution and an elected government. And as Laura Bush pointed out recently, many parts of Iraq are stable. Things are never going to be perfect. We've given them fledgling democracy but they seem more interested in killing each other right now than rebuilding their country. I'm waiting to see what Patraeus will be able to do, and the kinds of comments he will make about the situation.
Agree also there are many other important issues as well. I would add the Deficit, implementing 9/11 Commission recommendations, healthcare and Social Security to your list.
Gunslinger, you must have more confidence in the effectiveness of democrats than I do. I note you didn't diss the ArmyTimes poll - wasn't sure how that would be perceived.
Hawco, I think I'll reread your posts several times and try to soak up your sensibility and even temperament. Had to look up your Latin reference and found a moving poem about WWI by Wilfried Owen. Is that what you meant?
Yup, That's excatly what I mean't Oboe, I was never your all hero, gung ho type guy, I was a guy born to Irish immigrants who needed a Job and joined the Army, I'd always wanted to be a poet. a wrtiter, instead I found myself in a Hell, It was called the Falkland Islands, I had this romantic notion in my head, that it's just like on the TV, sweethearts kissing you goodbye, prmosies of endearing love on your return, instead I found that it was bascically on your own, I was young, Just turned 18, The first thing that got to me was how hard the ground there is to actually walk on, bits of telephone wire, empty bandoliers, Argentinian toothpaste tubes, these big holes with bits of metal sticking out of the sides, Frightened me to death, walking across boggy land in line extended, watching, shaking with fear, seeing these shapes that move like swallows dart in and out of the ridges and then hearing booms and seeing the smoke, Got what's called a "Bluey" down there, it's a free Aerogramme thing that you can send back and forth for free.
I still remember most of the writing:
Dear Graham
I have met Dave, he's a nice guy, we are moving to Dorset together to start a new life" take care etc etc.
Then 2 tours to Northern Ireland - Place called the Ardyone and one called Crossmaglen, Then just as I was getting out of the Army, I got sent to the Gulf, I got hurt, both Pyhsically and mentally.
So yes, Dulce est to me is glorius when it's said from an armchair or keyboard so to speak.
Sorry for the ramble Oboe and hopefully haven't hijacked the thread or whatever you get into trouble for.