Comments on: How I Spent My Memorial Day Weekend

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:58:47 +0000

Since when is it wrong to make a profit? How much did it cost you in expenses ($93 Billiion)? When you deal in big numbers (expenses) your profit margin will also be in big numbers. The oil companies are making around 7% - most businesses make around 15%. If you made $100 and you had $93 in expenses, would you be happy with $7 you were left with?

By: J. Lasko

J. Lasko — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:28:56 +0000

Unfortunately, “fighting for oil” doesn’t necessarily mean “fighting to make gas cheaper for the average person”. Check out ExxonMobil’s profits - they are doing quite well, thank you. That’s what the war was about.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:55:14 +0000

If the only reason we are there if because we are “fighting for all that oil” why are we paying $4/gallon? We should be paying next to nothing - guess it’s not about oil afterall…

By: J. Lasko

J. Lasko — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:05:08 +0000

I’m also ex-82nd Airborne (1/504th PIR). I have the utmost respect for our troops. I’m sure our troops genuinely believe they are fighting for our freedom and to protect us from terrorists. Unfortunately, they were sent there to protect our access to oil. “Freddom and democracy” were afterthoughts used to justify the war to the American public. Ask yourself: if the Iraq and the rest of the Middle East did not have oil, if it was just another third world country in Africa, would we be spending not just billions but several trillions of dollars there? I don’t think so. As for protecting us from terrorists, the only reason there has not been a terrorist attack in the US since 9/11 is because no one has wanted to carry out such an attack. Anyone with even the least amount of skills could carry out a bombing attack in this country. Israel is a small, relatively closed country, with arguably the best counterterrorist system in the world, and they get hit almost every day. Just think how much easier it would be in this large, open country. No, we went into Iraq for oil. That said, I don’t want to minimize the terrorist threat. But what is the best way to fight the terrorists? By occupying a country and giving them a rallying cause? I find it interesting that people won’t buy a Japanese car because we fought a war with them 60 years ago, even though the Japanese have been among our strongest allies ever since; but these same people think nothing of driving a gas guzzling car, with the money from the gas they are consuming going to countries that are funding the terrorists we are supposedly now fighting against. Want to stop the terrorists? Stop buying gas, and stop their money supply!

By: Karl Monger

Karl Monger — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:24:38 +0000

If you want to support the troops, go visit a vet at your local VA hospital, donate money to the Wounded Warrior Project, Special Operations Warrior Foundation, or any of the many other great service organizations out there.

Supporting the troops requires your action and sacrifice. Saving yourself a few bucks on gasoline might make you feel better but does nothing for one who served.

Thank God for those willing to go in harms way - as the quote goes, we sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night.

By: T. A. Stevens

T. A. Stevens — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:26:29 +0000

My family spent the day in honor and remembrance of those who served and are serving, and those who died, both family members and fellow Americans.
Our nation was founded by those escaping religious persecution, and of the 40 or so conflicts around the world today, most are being initiated by radicals of a religion that desires world domination, and it is not Christianity. Be willing to acknowledge that what is happening in Iraq is not “the war”, but one of the many battlefronts of a war against terrorists who wish to bring under control, through conversion or destruction, over 20 moderate Muslim nations first, then western civilization.

By: Dennis Funderburg

Dennis Funderburg — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:27:42 +0000

As a Vietnam era vet, when you join the armed forces you do so for a reason, whether it’s a freedom issue, paid education, travel, occupational education, and many other reasons. You do it at the risk of being sent to war. You do not sign up with the exclusive clause that lets you abdicate if you do not agree with where you are sent, why you are sent, or if you should be sent. You do not get to have it both ways. This is the trade off. It isn’t always fair nor is it always just. Other people have commented on the fight for “oil” and the fight for “freedom”. There is truth to both sides. Was Saddam a threat? Sure he was, but he was a threat on our “side” who also was a threat to Iran and the rest of his neighbors. You have to admit that when the Middle East fights among themselves they have less time to spreadout. Remember a house divided cannot stand. I also remember that after 911 there was a national consensus for “payback”. Do people not understand real war but only what the papers tell them? It really wasn’t until after the loss of life started to climb that people began to take issues. As with everything political, and you can be sure that sending troops to war is always political, there are many facets. My 2 brothers and I were all in the service. On memorial day we remembered those who have bravely fought and died for our freedom; not only here but around the world. Those of prior years and those who have died fighting now. Memorial day to me is a day of peace and rememberance. This day has fuzzed out over the lest couple of decades to be a day of remembering all service people; dead or alive. If you feel you are honoring our brave forces by conserving fuel that’s great. This is not a day of conflict as to the correctness of that idea. It’s a day of honor. It is about ALL peolple who have laid down there lives for the freedoms we enjoy in this great country called the UNITED STATES of AMERICA. As a soldier you do what you are called upon. Sometimes this means dieing. Memorial Day should be what it says. Nothing more and nothing less. You people (including Mr. Duped) have the other 364 days of the year to fight, let’s leave this day for its’ original intention.

By: Fred Vore

Fred Vore — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:45:50 +0000

My son, daughter-in-law and daughter have all been over to Iraq or the Persian Gulf. I support our troops. Most people agree that we as a nation went about this the wrong way, but that is no reason to turn tail and run. Let’s fix it and then leave with our heads held high. Most of the oil we use does not come from there, it comes from Canada, Mexico and S. America. Our military should not have to buy the fuel we need to protect Iraq, they should supply it at not cost. I think there are things the government could do to help with the oil prices, but won’t because there is too much money involved, especially lining their pockets. I wish the people that hate this country so much would go to Mexico or France and see if it’s better there.

By: Rhea Courtney Bozic

Rhea Courtney Bozic — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:56:35 +0000

I think we must acknowledge and accept the various viewpoints on the War in Iraq, the fight for freedom, and the very brave service our armed services provide. One way to support the troops is to conserve, both by using less gasoline and staying close to home and family, or by cutting down on electricity by doing simple things like turning off lights when we leave a room, or installing energy efficient light bulbs and purchasing energy star appliances when we upgrade our homes. I commend anyone who uses less fuel, saves money in the process, and uses the extra time and money towards family activities.

By: Phil White

Phil White — Tue, 27 May 2008 22:54:18 +0000

You’ve been duped is apparently too small to leave his name (as required). While I will agree that hindsight indicates the decision to enter Iraq was not as well thought out as it might have been I would ask you to consider one question. Why is it that no one in any political party is willing to pull all of our troops out at once? Is it because of the potential loss of life for the Iraqi people? No, it is because of the political turmoil which would result and the instability that would only increase in that part of the world. Much of the world relies on the oil that comes from this region, not just us. Potential global economic chaos is what an unstable middle east represents.
While the culture that exists in the middle east is not going to change overnight it takes a lot of balls to be willing to stay and clean up the mess which I agree we made. I also beleive that the terrorist threat would be greater if Saddam were still in power.
Bush and Cheney will be gone in 7 months. Your solution is?