Mother encouraging son to re-enlist for Iraq service...

[candidate]

...but now she's "not sure" because the democrats are in control of Congress.

"My son's enlistment is up in May...up until now I have been encouraging him to re-enlist...I'm not so sure anymore."

Insane, isn't it? A mother *encouraging* her son to go off to war. Just another example of the humanity over at FR.

[rurallib]

1. Bet the army could find a place for her!

Forging a few documents should take care of any questions.

[ScreamingMeemie]

2. It's not the mother's decision really..

:hi:

[Life Long Dem]

3. Now that's a well educated woman tuned into Faux 7/24.

You go girl!

Too unbelievable though. Sounds more like Faux propaganda.

[Union Thug]

4. Why the hell would any mother who cares about her child encourage this?

P-S-Y-C-H-O.

[Redstone]

5. She's NO kind of mother: "Go again so maybe you can DIE this time, son!"

Wonder how much she has in life insurance on him.

Redstone

[karlrschneider]

22. I guess she deserves recognition for patience...a lot of people like her

just kill the kids when they're infants. :grr:

[tavalon]

98. Ouch!

Truth hurts. Yeeooowwww.

[roamer65]

6. If I were her son...

I would tell her to go fuck herself.

[spanone]

7. Filicide, the act of killing one's children. It happens.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filicide

[dorktv]

8. does she hate him?

[sanskritwarrior]

9. Cmon now

If Iraq was not on the table would you still feel the same way??

I reccomend young people join the Army all the time, I did it before 9/11 and I did it after 9/11. I did it when my man Clinton was in the the White House and I have done it with this other clown too. Military service is very noble, in peacetime or wartime. I don't like her whole "now that dems control Congress" spiel, he'll get better treatment under Dems than under Repubs. Anyway I applaud this mother encouraging her son to keep serving this country. Our leaders are transient but America endures, good or bad leadership people should serve if they want to. If a family member encourages them then so be it. My son is 14 I am 32, I have 13 years of military service, my dream is for my son to join the Army and for us to serve in the same unit before I retire at 20 years. I won't force him, but I expect he will do his duty just like my father, my grandfather and every male before them. We never have to be told to serve this country, we all seemt o do it on our own........ :D

[seabeyond]

21. i have a family i know, not good friends, but i care about them, that are like you

i really respect the father, he is a good guy. though he doesnt talk a lot so i know him a lot less than his wife. i really like her. he was in the marines forever. they have four boys. all but one enlisted, that is what they do in that family. again, i respect and value who they are, admire them. but man..... it is hard for me. i was so thrilled with the one that was different, the pot smoker. i found out the other day he too has enlisted. two are computer geeks and will be safe in iraq. the oldest was wounded seriously over a year ago and the parents flew to germany. i felt so bad. i found out not long ago that he is back in baghdad and the mother is scared to death. they think the troops needed to come home over a year ago. but they still do the job.

i hear what you are saying. but this mom.... not a chance in hell. i told my boys... i didnt give my all raising you to die in this war. i couldnt do it.

anyway,... i respect what you say. thanks for sharing the other perspective.

[sanskritwarrior]

61. I really love this post

It is awesome.......It totally encapslates how someone can be against my position but respect me and others that have the same position. Again I appreciate you.

[uppityperson]

25. But, you see, Iraq IS on the table.

My take on the "now that dems control Congress" spiel is that he better not join up, since you never know what those insane Democrats will do. And would you seriously encourage your children to join up in this occupation?

[Djinn]

32. all due respect but I'd suggest you rethink that habit

Military service is very noble, in peacetime or wartime.

Only when that service is in the defence of one's nation. The US has not been involved in a defensive action for at least 50 years (and WW2 is dubious as there is evidence that Pearl harbour was not quite the surprise attack it was played as but that's a tangent for another thread)

The US army is used to beat other nations into submission allowing the theft of resources and the installation of US bases.

What was noble about the illegal invasion and slaughter of thousands of innocents in Panama?
What was noble about the invasion of Vietnam and the slaughter of MILLIONS simply because they had the temerity of wanting to determine their own destiny?
What was noble about defending the KINGDOM of Kuwait?
What is noble about training death squads in South America

With the very small exception of a few humanitarian missions (which would be unneccesary to a large degree if the first world wasn't bleeding the deleoping world dry with debt servicing and continuously toppling their elected leaders and fomenting violent oppositions for the benefit of ever advancing corporate fuedalism) can you please cite an example of a noble US military adventure?

[Union Thug]

63. Why I will never recommend the military for my kids...

Simple - Wars are fought for the benefit the rich and powerful, so let them go fight their bullshit wars. The US military has become nothing more than the negotiating arm of the wealthy and I will never sacrifice my kids so that these pathetic pieces of shit can continue to suck up all the gravy.

"As the reasons for the carnage cut their meat and lick the gravy
We oil the jaws of the war machine and feed it with our babies." Iron F*ing Maiden ;-)

[sanskritwarrior]

74. Ok, that is very cool

I do not believe that, but you are totally entitled to that. I love that all kinds of people can all have all kinds of opinions and we are all in our own way correct. I totally respect your POV, I don't believe in it, but I respect it.

[G Hawes]

10. I'd guess that lots of parents

encourage their children to enlist in the military. Personally, I wouldn't do so but there must be an awful lot of them doing so since so many young people enlist.

[Gemini Cat]

11. Sick or stupid. Not sure which.

She probably does not hate the kid as much as she'd love the attention the kid's death would bring her. There are people like that who thrives on attention.

[sanskritwarrior]

13. Why must that be

the only reason. I'm in now I encourage my 14 year old to join. If he chooses not I will be dissaponted, but proud of him for making his own choices.......

[karlrschneider]

20. Why don't you just send him out in the yard and shoot him?

Jeezusfuckingchrist, of all the people in the world, this kid has to have you as a parent? I'll pray for him....

[seabeyond]

24. disgusting.... you dont often disappoint. you go too far n/t

[karlrschneider]

26. Interesting hit and run post. Why don't you say what you mean?

n/t

[seabeyond]

30. you dont know this man. you dont know his relationship with his son

to suggest soemthing cruel about him being his father is ugly in my book.

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[seabeyond]

37. so now you personally attack me because i call you on your own ugliness

to another person. we are all unique and live unique lives. because i make choices in my family and for my children i am not so arrogant to demand that all make the same choices as i and live as i do. we need all people in their individualism. this man, i have listened to his posts. he is smart. he appears to be a good person. kind and respectful. i imagine he has done a kick ass job with his son from my perspective. the choices he makes and his son makes are their own. i am able to respect and trust in others to make their decisions without being ugly to them, even though they would not be my choices.

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

47. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[karlrschneider]

56. You never saw any Keyboard Kommandos on the internets?

:eyes:

[seabeyond]

62. i dont accuse all people all the time. i dont assume the worst about a person

and i try not to make judgments and assumptions in my post.

if they are key board commandos or freepers and they "get" me. that is ok. i am not playing their game so their "win" is pretty hollow. i prefer to let experience and feel guide me in the honesty of posts. and i have come across the poster in the past.

[sanskritwarrior]

45. WOW

being in the military is more than being cannon fodder. I don't know what your personal experiences are, but they in no way shape or form relate to mine. My son will do what he wants to do, if he joins me I will be proud. I will not apologize for my service, nor my encouragement of others to do so. I believe you my friend are being very rude. I have been more than polite, I have stated my reasons with calm and logic and you still say I must want my son dead. Welcome to my ignore file, you are the first.

[seabeyond]

49. i have heard ugly things on this board by posters, but comments like

this always throw me a bit. they are so painful and cruel. i am sorry for the people that feel the need to hurt others, using their children. not the first time. people get ugly here.

[Djinn]

36. he wants his son

to join an organisation that kills civilians in order to further the wealth of a very small cabal of men - I think there are certain judgements people can quite reasonably make about that.

I believe you my friend are being very rude

wonder how the families of the thousands killed unjustly by the US military for no other reason than naked profit feel about someone encouraging their son to continue the trend - rude probably doesn't cover it

[seabeyond]

38. only if a person choses to define military in such a narrow lite that you

chose. then sure, there are easy judgments you can draw. one poster suggests people see this black and white. as if he is seeing the grey in it. i suggest you and others are exactly seeing this in black and white and not seeing the greater issue in this. ergo your inability to understand what this poster is saying. your own lack

[Djinn]

53. well

perhaps you could point to a "noble" adventure of the US military, perhaps you could point out where there is any error in what I'm saying - ie the VAST OVERWHELMING majority of US military action since the Monroe Doctrine has been about THEFT nothing more nothing less.

please explain what was grey about Vietnam?

[seabeyond]

64. are you suggesting we not have a military? dismantled?

not wanted?

[Djinn]

70. sigh

I support DEFENSIVE armed forces, if the US military was DEFENSIVE I would fully support it. I am not a pacifist and there are causes I would fight, kill or die for.

HOWEVER the US military is nothing more than the muscle for a bunch of greedy thugs, and supporting it is supporting the theft of resources, the murder of innocent people and the furthering of the world's biggest empire.

You wanna support that, who am I to stop you

[Mojorabbit]

82. I come from a military family

My little sis is a trauma nurse in the air force. She has been deployed several times but is not stateside. I find your statement pretty rude.

[sanskritwarrior]

85. It is really hard

for non military people and draftee Vietnam era veterans to understand the modern military. We are no better nor any worse than those guys, we just believe differently........Kudos to your sis for her service........

[uppityperson]

42. he is encouraging his son to join the military while it is in this illegal and

unwinnable occupation. How is this honorable?

[seabeyond]

51. i know military people, that live military lives. they see the military

different than i anyway. i would imagine differently than you, but that would be to assume uppity, because i do not know you. i know a military family who has four sons in this war, they dont believe in the war, but they believe in the military. it is NOT my place to judge these people. i know them. they are good, loving, kind, smart people. an asset to our world. that see it differently than i

[sanskritwarrior]

55. I want him to join the military

Hopefully in 5 years when he can join we will not be in Iraq and we will have better leadership.

[uppityperson]

27. amazing, yes?

Encourage your child to sign up to fight in an illegal unwinnable occupation. Right. search is my friend.

[karlrschneider]

29. It amazes me how even some DUers can reduce every issue to black and white.

We really ought to be smarter than the morans (sic) we ridicule.
...

[uppityperson]

31. Depends on the DUer. However, your

#12 is a bit much.
I would like to hear why swarrior would encourage his child to join this occupation.

[karlrschneider]

39. I stand by my evaluation. And I'm also very suspicious about the bona fides of

our 'swarrior' contributor. The internets are full of poseurs as you know. As a certified cynic, I reserve my right to question posts that exude a whiff of bovine excrement.

[seabeyond]

44. like questioning a woman who lost her nephew in the harshest of manners

i would think you would learn a lesson, but you dont

[uppityperson]

46. me too, but this is a moderated forum.

and calling people out and personal insults are against DU rules.

[sanskritwarrior]

66. I guess

if I was disobeying my orders, was AWOL, and helping my son sneak into Canada, I would pass your "smell" test..........Forgive me if I ignore you from now on out. I have nothing to prove to anyone, just like I expect you had nothing to prove to anyone when you got here. We obviously feel differently about military service and that is fine and dandy. I won't tell you how to live your life or how to treat your kids, I would hope I would get the same courtesy.

[sanskritwarrior]

52. I encourage

him to join the military, pick a branch. I encourage him to serve his country. We do not get to pick our leadership, we do not get to pick where they send us. Good or bad leadership there is still a nation that needs defending. Iraq or no Iraq there are still people that want to harm our nation. I encourage my son to join the military because I believe it is an Honorable profession, I believe it encourages one to learn more about themselves and what they are capable of. I encourage him because the military needs liberals, it needs people that are willing to do the right thing when the wrong thing is so easy. I encourage him to do something with his life that makes him feel like he is part of something bigger........Why is that so bad?

[uppityperson]

65. true the military needs liberals.

"we do not get to pick our leadership"? We do vote though whether those votes are counted are another thing. That, along with "We do not get to pick where they send us" should make 1 cautious of joining. Encouraging him to do something with his life that will make him feel he is part of something bigger is a good thing, but there are many other ways than the military, especially when it is run by the people doing the things they are doing now.

I would want to SEE changes happen, to KNOW that I would not stand a chance of being made to be a cog in a thing like the Iraq occupation before enlisting. The military CAN be an honorable profession, depending on who is giving the orders that you must follow.

There are many things to do to be part of the bigger world.

[sanskritwarrior]

35. What does that mean?

I am assuming you mean that encouraging my son to join the military is akin to me murdering him. I have served honorably for 13 years, my dad did 20 my Grandfather was a lifer. It is what our family does. Granted my son can do whatever he wants, just like my father gave me a choice. I'm pretty sure that my son choose to serve just like his dad and his aunt did. Are you trying to insult me.......

[G Hawes]

96. That is wayyyyyyyyy out of line

Your post, that is.

Not to mention sick and twisted.

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sanskritwarrior]

14. I don't know this lady

but why the insults? Are you going to insult me next for encouraging my son to join me on active duty??

Jesus Christ......

[karlrschneider]

17. I might. I did my active duty from 1963 to 1969. If you give a shit about your son,

don't encourage him to assist in the current clusterfuck.

Jesus Christ, indeed...

[sanskritwarrior]

40. I have served 13 years now

I encourage him to do whatever he wants to do. If he chooses to join his old man in the Army, I will respect him and be proud. If I am lucky he and I can deploy together. Hopefully this war will be over and we will be on a worthwhile mission. However if this war continues and he CHOOSES to join, then I will still be proud of him. Regardless of our leaders, regardless of what they ask us to do, those of us in the military have a duty to serve the nation. In 2008 we will hopefully have a Democrat in charge to end Iraq. If not that doesn't mean I stop serving this country, it means I serve all the harder. Good leaders or bad I will still serve, I will still encourage others to join and I will encourage my son to join. If he does something else, that will be awesome as well.
I'm sorry your time in service is bitter, I have my bad memories from Iraq, I also have my good memories from my service in the Balkans and my help in training young men to defend this country.

On a side not you and my dad were in during the same time period. My dad spent some time in Vietnam in 63-64 as one of Kennedy's advisers, as well as 66-67 in the Nam as well.

[karlrschneider]

54. I think you are a goddamned liar. I don't believe you ever served at all.

You keep changing your position on how you would approach your "son's" decision. And you misrepresent my own position...I'm not at all 'bitter' about my time in the service. I did it and make no apologies for either what I did nor what I did not do. But I might be misapprehending you...feel free to send me any information you might feel comfortable at [e-mail]

I might be persuaded to reconsider my comments and I'm perfectly willing to issue a public apology if it's warranted. I leave the ball in your court.

[uppityperson]

68. Even if the Iraq occupation is still on you will encourage him.

Those in the military have a duty to serve. This is why you must not join just to be "one of the proud" or join your dad, or whatever. Realize that you may be sent to so illegal unwinnable things and consider if you want to be part of that.

[sanskritwarrior]

72. Look at my post history

I have said it before, I'll say it again.

As of today Jan 7th 2007 this war is not illegal. No legal body in the US has ruled it illegal, no US Federal court has ruled it illegal. Congress has not ruled it illegal. Until that time according to the Constitution I have orders to follow. Now if my CO orders me to shoot civilians, or orders me to take part in a coup then yes I can refuse those orders. On the day that Bush is charged with crimes or this war is ruled illegal I will be more than happy to do my duty and follow the orders of those who ask me to arrest the President or refuse his "now" illegal orders. I have stated my politics previously, I have stated my feelings on this war, that being said until such time as Congress or the courts rule this war illegal I am under oath. Whether I have a Republican or a Democrat in office their orders are valid until ruled illegal by either the Congress or the courts. Saying the war is illegal doesn't make it so. Saying OJ did it or didn't do it doesn't make it so, that's why we had a trial. Again if and when Bush is charged or the war is ruled illegal, whichever happens first, I will be extremly happy to execute my duties and slap the cuffs on that man myself. This is about the 10th time I have explained how the oath of enlistment works. I don't get to decide when the Constitution is in violation, generals don't get to decide that either, if we did there would have been several military coups in this country and no one wants that.

[uppityperson]

75. Did Congress declare war?

I have looked at your post history. Has Congress declared war or simply let it happen/not stopped it?

And this is why being in the military, giving oneself in this manner, is a very scary proposition.

[sanskritwarrior]

79. Obviously Congress

did not declare war. Again on the day when Congress or the Courts rule the war illegal and the President a criminal I don't have to listen to him. As of now, today according to UCMJ yes I do.

what does that have to do with joining th military being scary??? We exist to carry out the will of this nation. Again as of today that include serving in Iraq. Congress authorized force, the President signed it. Until that order is rescinded it is my duty to follow that order, irregrdless of my personal feelings..........

[uppityperson]

81. Why scary? If the ones giving orders you must follow are insane, you still must follow.

Obviously Congress did not declare war. So how can we be at war? As explained to me by my Senator, Congress gave Mr.bush the right to threaten repurcussions, not to declare war. That is what she told me. I think Congress has just weaseled out, so partisan that they have been unable to rein bush in.

Why is signing up to blindly follow orders scary? Are you serious? You say you must follow orders, regardless of your personal feelings, and you don't see at all why this might be scary?

[sanskritwarrior]

83. I'm not blindly

following anything. I am however following legal orders. Until such time as they are ruled illegal I must follow them. If not then the purpose of discipline and the purpose of law and order are irrelevant. I do not believe that, until such time as those orders are declared illegal, I am obligated by my Oath to the Constitution to follow them.

[uppityperson]

89. you agreed to follow orders, that you keep saying.

You must follow them until they are ruled illegal, but, as has happened in the past, they are not declared illegal until later. "I was ordered to do it" is no excuse.
"it is my duty to follow that order, irregrdless of my personal feelings"= blindly following

[sanskritwarrior]

91. Ok great

then you think I am blindly following......

I do not, I am following the Oath of Enlistment and UCMJ, the bedrocks of military discipline. That is the way the military functions, we follow legal orders and refuse illegal ones. It is our duty to do such.

[uppityperson]

28. why would you encourage your son to join an illegal unwinnable occupation?

seriously, why?

[seabeyond]

34. it is about the military and serving the country. it is beyond bush

and this war. it is not something that is a part of my life. at all. being a pacifist and opposed to hurting let alone killing. this is beyond me. but i do understand. there are military families and this is how they live and feel. they respect the military and the life

[sanskritwarrior]

48. thank you

you get it......I appreciate your support.

[seabeyond]

60. you are welcome, but

i get only so much. i try to get it though. a lot of people here dont try to get it. they are just angry. much of it is beyond me. but knowing this family since before iraq has helped me to get it a little more.

[uppityperson]

50. but right now the illegal/unwinnable problem of Iraq is topmost

why encourage a son to join in this? I know there are lots of other things/places the military are involved with (would guide towards Coast Guard) but still, Iraq is happening, and the head of the military shows little sign of being able to perceive reality. So.

[seabeyond]

59. because they feel it is a duty. it is not for iraq. it is not for bush.

from what i get from this family is it is a duty. the military need people, fellow soldiers need help and they feel the need to be the ones to help along side the fellow soldiers.

the kid is 14. war probably wont even be an issue.

[uppityperson]

78. I have a hard time understanding but I can get that. However, specifically

how can they respect the military when the Commander in Chief is who he is, doing what he is, now? How can they go along with it?

Generally speaking I can see people wanting to be in the military, chosing to serve, but specifically, right now? I cannot understand why support this system, with this leader, doing what it is, now.

[sanskritwarrior]

80. Why is following our orders

linked to liking Bush??? We go along with it because it is our duty. As of today IRREGARDLESS of my personal feelings Bush is not a criminal according to our legal system or our government. If that changes we can act differently and arrest him. Until then we MUST follow his orders as they are perfectly legal. I have my personal feelings, but while on duty I must follow legal orders, even if I think they are illegal. If no legal body or legislative body has ruled those orders illegal they must be carried out.

[uppityperson]

87. "perfectly legal" said the German army under Hitler.

"perfectly legal" said the Hutus of Rwanda. Perfectly legal said many people. Until later.

[sanskritwarrior]

90. Great

so I should disobey orders I don't like?

The US Congress has not declared this war illegal. The US Federal court system has not declared this war illegal. Given that what should I do, ignore my oath?? Should I go AWOL because I personally didn't like my orders? Look man, I'm trying to be cool here, if this country's government, Democrats and Republicans have not ruled that this war is illegal and in fact voted to authorize force, why on earth would I feel like I must disobey obviously legal orders. If I did it your way, military discipline is moot. If I do it your way then the military can conduct a coup anytime it gets orders it doesn't like. I know you don't want that, but that is what could happen if order and discipline were not followed. That is why we follow legal orders...........

[uppityperson]

92. Go AWOL because the orders are illegal, even if not proven in a court of law yet.

yes. And, as per my post you are responding to, yes.

[sanskritwarrior]

93. The orders

are not illegal because you said so.......

[uppityperson]

94. think, man, think, Why has bush not been impeached? Why let it go on?

Republicans control congress.

Does the fact that it has not been ruled illegal make it legal? No.

Someone has to be the first to say "wait a minute", someones have to be the first to say "this is wrong". Others continue "well I was ordered to" even though they do not personally believe in what they are doing and later they are proven wrong. History will tell about this one.

I do understand the difference between personal belief and having sworn to follow orders, and can see some possible conflicts there. I also can understand why not every military person can know everything about everything they do and be let to decide if they agree with it or not. I also understand that just because something has not yet been proven illegal does not mean it is legal and continuing to follow orders that are wrong is wrong.

I'm done. Best of luck to you and yours. Hope you have a good winter. Peace to you, uppity.

[sanskritwarrior]

95. That's just the point

as of today, those orders are not wrong. If they are wrong next week then I do not have to follow them. If it's not illegal I have to follow it. In the military there are only legal and illegal orders, there are no semi legal orders. If it is not illegal it is legal and I can be prosecuted for not following that order.

Enjoyed the talk, hope you continue to have good health.......

[Djinn]

41. don't know about that poster

but I certainly will - your desire to further an empire is up to you, but to encourage your son to sign up and fight (for the OVERWHELMING majority of the time) people doing nothing worse than defending their lands and their rights to self determination is morally repulsive.

Perhaps your bossom will swell with pride when your son is a part of actions such as occured in Fallujah or Haditha? Or maybe he'll be lucky and get to go and train members of the Columbian military to torture peasants, or if he REALLY hits the nobility jackpot perhaps he can personally bomb a factory producing the only medicine available in a third world country.

Yeah the nobility of armed service:puke:

[sanskritwarrior]

58. Or maybe

he will help people that survived genocide in the Balkans like I did........sheesh.......

[Djinn]

67. yeah

what about the Serbians who had nothing to do with the war that were bombed in their homes for the crimes of their leader who they never elected? crimes by the way which pale in comparison with the crimes of the US military.

while I will never defend Milosevic, he was responding o a violent seperatist movement. If the US was experience a 10th of the terrorism inflicted by the KLA (a fundamentalist religious fascist organisation with, unlike Iraq, significant ties to ex-mujahadeen "terrorists"btw) the response would have been a SHITLOAD more violent than anything handed out by the Butcher of Belgrade.

you REALLY need to look a little deeper at these occurances and not accept the veneer painted over them to give them a patina of respectability

[sanskritwarrior]

69. I'm not talking about 1999

I'm talking about my time at Camp Eagle in Tuzla, Bosnia before Kosovo.

[Djinn]

71. do you have any understanding AT ALL

of why you were there? why were you in the Balkans? To protect refugees? you REALLY believe that? Do you have any idea how many displaced persons there are in the world? Any idea how many of them are helped by the US? Why do you think an exception may have been made for the Balkans?

And what on earth do you mean by Bosnia before Kosovo - Kosovo has been fought over by Slavs and Albanians for 700 years.

Do you have any insight at all into the historical and political origins of the conflict you were dragged into?

[sanskritwarrior]

77. We went into Bosnia in 1995

the Kosovo conflict was 1999.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

73. WHAT is that Noble Cause?

What is that Noble Cause that Casey Sheehan and over 3,000 other fine young people died for?
When we invaded a sovereign nation, that had done NOTHING to us? Absolutely NOTHING, no WMD's and no involvement in the 9/11 bombings?

What is that Noble Cause of a useless war to use the poor for cannon fodder and make the rich richer by stealing Iraq's oil? What is it?

[MountainLaurel]

15. What, she wants his death benefits?

Back away from the crack pipe lady. Back away from the pipe.

[kevinbgoode]

88. Yep - my thoughts exactly

She's obviously a con-servative Republican - which means there must be the smell of money somewhere that can be had without her having to do anything.

[MountainLaurel]

99. It reminded me

Of a former neighbor who wouldn't let her 14-year-old daughter get an abortion because she wanted the extra money from the government. (One of her children was about to turn 18, so she was going to lose income from the SS death benefits paid on behalf of her son after her husband died.)

[EFerrari]

16. Is this real?

:wow:

[TahitiNut]

18. Well, she probably made him whatever he is ... she might know best.

:shrug:

[Catherine Vincent]

19. Why in the HELL would a mother encourage her son to re-enlist

during a time of war??

[G Hawes]

97. Maybe she's a product of a previous generation

that felt that service to one's country was an honorable thing, even in time of war. I mean maybe she's thinking along the lines of the millions of mothers who sent their sons off to war during WWI and WWII. Perhaps this particular soldier's mother is thinking along the lines of her own history in that era. Who knows?

[Jack Rabbit]

23. Is the lady's name "Courage"?

Just wondering.


Scene from the Cocteau Repertory Theater production of Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertoldt Brecht
from Variety, September 8, 2005

[JI7]

57. what has Democrats control of Congress got to do with it ?

does she give a reason ?

[Bucky]

76. Maybe she only wants her son serving in wars started by unaccountable leaders.

As soon as the Congress returns to doing its "checks and balances" number, her kid's outta there.

"Sorry, Junior, but if your country needs your service now, it'll be because both political parties fully agree that our national security is in danger. And we just can't have that."

[SanCristobal]

84. WOW.

There are plenty of good reasons to reenlist (the 20 year federal service pension being the best), but that is definitely not one of them.

[kevinbgoode]

86. Send the mother to Iraq then. . .

or ask if she wants to emigrate. Clearly she deeply understands the importance of the Bush mission of conquering the world.

[NNN0LHI]

100. This is why I say a draft won't end the Iraq occupation

Too many brain dead Republicans out there who would be happy to send a kid off to die for Bush.

They wouldn't send all their kids mind you. Just the ones who may have some issues that the parents don't want to deal with. I know some Republicans around here like that.

Don