For Lila Lipscomb

[Zomby Woof]

Dear Lila,

Thank you for your courage in allowing Michael Moore to tell your story, and allowing us to share your grief, outrage, and heartbreak over your family's loss. It is now America's loss, too.

From the sustenance granted by your tears and the bracing conviction of your words, your son will not have died in vain. Nor will have all the others, of all nationalities, before and since, whose blood has spilled on Iraqi sand. The message is out there now, and millions of Americans will know the pain of your loss, and the sorrowful costs of waging a senseless war.

I was a protestor of the Iraqi war in the months leading up to March 19, 2003, and I have continued every day and moment since, with sadness and anger, to speak out against this deep travesty. Thank you for realizing that we, the opponents of war, have never been the opponents of your son, your daughter, and the thousands upon thousands of sons and daughters of our republic who don a uniform and does what they think is right, for high ideals and purposes.

Your wisdom and compassion give me hope. These are times in which hope is a rare jewel which too easily slips our fragile grasp. You have given many of us that gift too. You are much stronger than you think.

I know nothing of a mother's heartbreak, or what it is like to experience the depth of your loss. There is no consolation I can offer. There are no magic words an anonymous soul like me can conjure to make this better for you. But I do know by having a glimpse into your life and into your heart, that we are a better nation for having people like you and your family in it. Allow that to be my modest expression of gratitude.

In honor of your son's memory, and with grateful recognition for unleashing the burdens of your heavy heart upon the world, I will urge all of us to reflect upon this upcoming Independence Day, the meaning of your son's life, and that may we all have peace soon.

With my deepest regards,
ZW, the Democratic Underground

[mhr]

1. Hear, Hear, To Lila Lipscomb!

eom

[UTUSN]

3. And ZW, Too n/t

[Stew225]

2. Very excellent.

[Prodemsouth]

4. I have been away for awhile. Can anybody update me on the lady with

a son over in Iraq who was a frequent poster here on DU, Mari133, I believe was her name- how has she been, any news. I thought about her while watching this part of the movie.

[nostamj]

40. Mari reported recently

that Michael had been in touch through email and was OK. though he very much wants to come home. he is still stationed at Abu Ghraib.

things remain very difficult for her family

[giant_robot]

5. I just saw the movie

and I would like to echo the sentiments that ZW so eloquently worded.

[Tellurian]

6. Well said and inspirational post, ZW.. my sympathies exactly!

[Mikimouse]

7. You ROCK, both of you!!!!!!!!!!!!

:yourock:

[Mandate My Ass]

8. Lila's grief tore at my heart but her courage

is an inspiration and compels me to try to do more.

Thanks for pointing out her generosity in sharing her story and her sorrow with us. I can't imagine her pain but I'm certain that no pain is greater than what she bears.

[Longhorn]

9. A fitting and touching tribute to a brave lady!

Thank you! I have four young adult children including a son in the Marines. We'll find out within a few weeks whether he will be sent to Iraq anytime soon. Lila's description of what happened when she got the phone call was all too real and believable and very difficult to watch. I admire her greatly for sharing her beautiful family.

[VolcanoJen]

10. May I join in thanking Lila?

I just returned from the film, and Lila moved me. Her episode in front of the White House was the second point in the movie in which I pretty much lost it... and of course, just after that episode, there's a very funny moment, and then the film ends. I felt destroyed, and exhilarated, when the film was over. It really was such a roller coaster. I didn't expect the punched-in-the-gut feeling it left me with.

I would also like to thank Lila for her contribution... the film would not have been the same without her story.

Thanks for posting this, ZW.

[Toots]

11. Wow ~ I hope you send it ~ very heavy

You are a very caring person and I am honored to be on the same message board with you.....and the many other caring souls that contribute here.

[wellstone_democrat]

12. BTW: phone call? They now do notifications by phone?????

What a heartless country. We can't even afford to send a bereavement officer in person any more? I was horrified and disgusted when Lila Lipscomb described that heartbreaking call. The final insult was the mechanical disembodied *cheap* way in which his sacrifice was reported to his family.

It is disgraceful.

[Blue Gardener]

37. That struck me as well

It's horrible to call a parent at home to tell them their child is dead. They need someone there to support them, maybe call their spouse or another family member to help. How sad to think of her there all alone and getting that phone call.

[GOPisEvil]

13. Well stated.

For the woman who accused you of staging the "event", I hope she never has to face pain to the depths which you and the other families who have lost loved ones in this illegal war have.

[Malva Zebrina]

14. I fear for Lisa Lipscomb

and her family.

I think, according to what I saw and agonized over in the film watching her grief and alsmot irrational wanderings in
DC, she is dangerously close to a breakdown.

It is not for me to judge that, but is more an expression of fear for her and her health. It was the saddest part of the film, for me.

First her pride in her son who she felt she gave the best advice to because she could not provide an education or a broader ability to travel, and the exression of hate toward war protestors to her confrontation in DC with the peace protestor and the supercilious freeper who brushed off her pain and her angst by saying that there were lots of those around like her. No one really gave her any comfort or really connected to her, gave her a hug, said they were sorry and expressed their sadness at her plight and loss of her beloved son due to Bush's lies--and the final brush off was the sybolism of the huge, green fence separating her from the White House, home of the stupid man and his dumbassed wife



Who traipse around looking like the King and the Queen of the US of America

He ignores the dead soldiers amd takes away medical benefits to veterans, He does NOT comfort their families who receive word over the telephone by some practiced, uninvolved voice, and she is thrilled to be treated like a princess travelling to all points on the globe on our money, treated like a princess, and supporting her evil husband in his horrendous policies regarding the lies he told about this war.

He is the one responsible for the unnecessary deaths of all the sons and daughters, all the mothers and fathers, who he sent on this fascist mission to Iraq to secure that sovereign country for his business buddies.

It is he who is the evil criminal.

[gardenista]

17. Lila Lipscomb strikes me as a very strong woman.

I grieve for her loss,but I don't fear for her mental health. I think she has been through a tremendous amount of difficulty in her life. This, I am sure is her most difficult period, but she is obviously a deeply thoughtful, balanced, loving woman who is surrounded by a family that loves her. I think she'll be forever changed, and it will always hurt deeply, but she will keep her head and her family together. She is amazing to me.

[Fleshdancer]

15. Her son will be in my thoughts

My heart also goes to Ms. Dillard. For the life of me, I can't remember her first name, but she was the woman who lost her husband of 15 years on 9/11 and said that if she didn't have the 9/11 investigation, then she wouldn't have anything to live for. I cried a lot for her as well as for Lila and the Iraqi woman who's Uncle's house had been demolished.

[Zomby Woof]

16. a kick for peace

[CatWoman]

18. a kick for another kick ass ZW post

:kick:

[southernleftylady]

19. I wonder if you could put our first names on it. It might make it more ...

powerful for her to see how many people do suport her.

[Pithlet]

20. I haven't seen the movie yet

I hope to, soon. I've heard about Lila's loss through others here at DU. I look at my own little boys and can't even begin to understand the depth of loss she's suffered, and to add to it the circumstances that she's suffered through... It just breaks my heart. I hope that she has some comfort in that many have now seen the movie, and her story and are moved by it. A very beautiful post, ZW.

[ParanoidPat]

21. Thanks ZW and Lila.......

.....PEACE!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

22. Beat Bush for Lila Lipscomb

in the memory of her son and all the other soldiers.

[Kukesa]

23. A KICK for the Zomby Troof! n/t

[Fleshdancer]

24. Would Moore send this letter to Lila??

It's worth an attempt. Lila has been through hell, I want her to know personally that her son will not be forgotten.

[FizzFuzz]

25. very very powerful. you have a gift, ZW n/t

[latebloomer]

26. Beautiful post.

[Lars39]

27. Sat through a second showing with family.

Absolutely heartbreaking seeing Lila's and the Iraqi moms' pain. :cry:

[Forkboy]

28. Thank you ZW

This is a powerful post.My sincere thanks...to both of you.

[proud patriot]

29. Wow ZW that was beautiful

:cry:

[Mortos]

30. More poetic and touching....

than anything ever mumbled by Bush. That is heartfelt compassion for another human being expressed articulately and expressively. Well said and thanks for echoing the sentiments of so many who are unable to express ourselves as well. May God look over Lila and give her strength, peace and comfort in knowing there are people like you and all of us who support her, lift her up and try to shoulder some of her unbearable burden. Goodnight.

[Forkboy]

33. Kick,and a welcome

Hope you like DU Mortos...glad to have you with us.

[Geo55]

31. KICK

Peace

[VolcanoJen]

32. Kickin' for Lila!

:dem:

[Tight_rope]

34. Kick for Lila! You are a hero!

[anarchy1999]

35. Thanks for sharing your letter with us all. I just wish I could be half

so eloquent. Thanks again ZW. Could you make it be a letter from all of us and let us all sign on?

[lostnfound]

36. I hope she knows that her son would be proud of her.

Not only did he wish for getting Bush out of office in his last letter home -- and she is certainly doing that -- her willingness to put her story out there can potentially save thousands or tens of thousands of other young men from dying young.

Because we here at DU were pretty sure that Iraq was just the first of many wars being planned by Bushco.

[Zomby Woof]

38. Sunday morning ZombyKick

[Kukesa]

39. And a kick for Sunday afternoon. n/t

[no name no slogan]

41. One good kick deserves another (nt)

[mwdem]

46. kick here, too Zomby,

:kick:

[DesolationRow]

42. That part ripped my heart out.

Very powerful movie. I'm at a complete loss for words.

I saw it with my teen aged son. We were both wiping away the tears right along with her. I would have no hope of being as strong as she was if I was ever to be in her shoes. A new President who will engage our allies and his voters showing the Iraqis that we reject the current appointee just has to be enough. I am lucky enough to have a dad that survived the Vietnam war and a son in Iraq is a gamble I do not want to see.

[Zomby Woof]

44. Welcome to DU

I love your Dylanesque name. :-)

[freeforall]

43. WOW Zomby!

I hope you are sending that to Lila. It's beautiful.

[Zomby Woof]

45. I haven't decided

Thank you regardless though. Several DUers have asked, and I have considered it... I don't know yet. :-)

[mwdem]

47. Zomby, it's so beautiful,

you've gotta do it.

[Zomby Woof]

48. how many is that?

3 or 4 of you? Anyone else?

Bueller?

[mwdem]

49. Aww, come on..

you know yov've got it. I can count for at least, what, 20?

[Wind Dancer]

50. It's an elequent and powerful letter!

You indeed have a gift for delivering a thoughtful, compassionate message with your words. I think she would find comfort in your letter, I know it is your decision but I encourage you to send it.

[mwdem]

51. Kick

:kick:

[mwdem]

52. kick

:kick:

[ThirdWheelLegend]

53. I know the name of a woman I have never met.

Thank you Zomby!

I walked out of that movie knowing the name of a woman that I have never met. Her words moved me. Her son's words moved me. She is a true American patriot. Lila Lipscomb and Michael Pederson are the reason we never give up.

Thank you Lila Lipscomb.

Also thank you ZW for the great words about these great American patriots.


TWL

[VOX]

54. Zomby, I am speechless.

You have articulated a poetic, eloquent message of comfort and gratitude for a very special courageous soul.

Thank you for this tender and healing gift to Lila -- and for sharing its power with us all.

[Hekate]

55. Kick for a great letter--please send it to her

ZW, you said it with heart and so eloquently... If Mrs. Lipscomb is not in the Flint Michigan phone book, you could undoubtedly send it via Michael Moore's office.

Most of us in the anti-war movement are (I hope) mature enough to distinguish between supporting the troops and supporting the regime that puts them in harm's way. More and more I've come to view the poverty and lack of opportunity that drives young people into the military as no accident but instead the result of deliberate social policies. In communities like Flint, you'd think the one institution the state and feds would pour money into would be public education, including quality post-high school community colleges and trade programs. But instead, youngsters like Jessica Lynch and Mrs. Lipscomb's son are funneled into the military with the promise of learning a trade or earning money toward college. This isn't really a free choice for them at all.

I believe in a strong national defense system, and I believe we need soldiers. But I don't believe in what we have now...

Hekate