What the ?

Everyone is entitled to their own delusions of grandeur.

Ed,

saw this one. Too bad those who vote for Obama don't get to see this.

ps...make sure you see the end and get to know who this man is.

This video does not show reasons for voting for McCain.  It show a very brave soldier who was asked to do the unthinkable and he lost his leg for it.  But it does not change who I will vote for.  

I have read many of the blogs on this site for many months but this is my first post.

As an independent who has voted on both sides in the past, I must make this point.  Not supporting the decision to go to war in Iraq does not make someone unpatriotic or unsupportive of the troops!  I love my country and have a ton of respect for those who serve.  While I disagree with the man in the video, I thank him for his service and sacrifice to our country.

However, the decision to go to war in Iraq was a mistake.  It was based on multiple lies.  It was done so in an egotistical manner when we did not have support from the United Nations.  Was Saddam Hussein a terrible leader/person?  Yes.  Did he have the military ability to do any damge to the United States or our allies (including Israel)?  No.  

Essentially, Saddam was a dillusional yet intelligent leader who duped us into a war that has resulted in thousands of deaths, cost us billions of dollars, and destroyed our reputation with many key allies around the world.  Remember when the vast majority of the world showed us sympathy after 9-11?  Now, much of the world sees us as the most dangerous country in the world. The war in Iraq has also strengthened a real threat (Iran) and turned Iraq in to a great recruiting tool for al Qaeda (while we essentially ignored them in Afghanistan).

I know some of you will argue that this was a necessary war because we promoted freedom and democracy and removed a dangerous/evil man from power.  Well if that is the case, should we invade North Korea?  Congo?  Countless other African countries who are ruled by "evil" men.  Of course not.

The invasion of Iraq had wide biparitsan support (a guy by the name of Obama stood up to "conventional wisdom" at the time and said it was a huge mistake) but is seems that many people on the right refuse to admit that the war in Iraq was a costly error and now accuse people who opposes it as "anti American" or "conceding defeat".  Has progress been made in Iraq?  Yes - thanks to courageous service by our generals and soldiers.  But just because I think the war was a mistake and we should end it sooner rather than later, please don't label me as someone who does not love America and appreciate those who serve.

This "us vs. them" or "real American vs. anti American" mentality from many on the right really bothers/scares me and is one of many reasons why this "independent" will be voting for Barack Obama.  

The question is: did these people feel safer on their fateful date than they did the day before?

April 19, 1995  Oklahoma City

April 20, 1999  Columbine High School

April 17, 2007  W. VA Tech

March 24, 1998  Jonesboro High School

October 3, 2006  West Nickel Mines School

Terrorism is a fact of life in our society.  We can and we must try to stop it before it happens, but it makes no difference who the President is, if someone wants to blow up a building or kill a bunch of people, they will find a way to do it no matter what.  Our "me first" philosophy, driven in most part by our capitalist system, I believe is one of the major causes of our problems.  Our society has reclassified any act of social conscience as welfare or socialism. We no longer look out for our neighbor, much less care what happens to him unless it affects ourselves. Violence, physical and verbal indimidation and the use of deadly force is now commonplace in our everyday life.  We have come to accept it as business as usual. Tell me how we can change this mindset, when our own government practices it.  Terrorism is the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to indimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population in futherance of political or social objectives. That is precisely what we are doing in Iraq.  I know you are going to tell me that it is a lawful war, authorized by Congress, but I maintain that any "law" that is reached by innuendo, misleading statements and outright lies is invalid. For two years I've cursed the Democrats in Congress for not having the b---- to start impeachment procedings on at least VP. Cheney if not Pres. Bush

Are you willing to give up all of your Constitutional rights in order to protect youself from domestic and international terrorists?  All conversations, letters and emails intercepted and scrutinized.  All purchases kept on an national database to see who might have purchased a variety of materials that could be used to make an expolsive device?  That is what it is going to take to stop terrorist attacks in this country.  I for one am not willing to accept that.

IndependentMind:  Obama stood up to the "conventional wisdom" when he was just a representative in the Illinois state legislature from a very liberal district.  He had nothing to lose in this as it was very popular for him to do so.  The only times Obama had opportunities to actually make decisions on the Iraq war of any consequence were when he voted not to equip our military personnel with what they required for protection and when he voted against the surge.  These were both huge mistakes by Obama.  In fact these votes are such strong arguments for McCain, that if the economic crisis hadn't come along when it did, I think McCain would be way out front.  Remember when the war was supposed to be one of the main topics for this election - back when the Democrats thought they had an argument - back before McCain proved to be one of the few brave enough to push for the right choice.  If you really want to back someone that had more to lose by standing up to the war initially, you should look to Ron Paul, who spoke out against it as a US Rep. from Texas.

Thank you independentmind for your post as I have voted both Rep and Dem in the past. I too disagree with the war in Iraq and do not consider myself unpatriotic. I do like the fact Obama is puts it right out there that America is going to HAVE to make some sacrifices.  This war has been going on now for SEVEN years with President Bush not raising taxes or asking the American people to sacrifice in ANY WAY - supporting the troops should mean more than slapping a bumper sticker on a car?  I really feel for these men/women who have served.  Where is the mental health support they need when they come return from multiple tours.  Attempts at suicide are epidemic in Iraq veterans. Those that chose to serve deserve so much better.

The Iraqis now seem to agree with a plan similar to what Obama proposed and that seems to escape so many.  The Iraqis want us to leave and a time table for doing so.  Yes, I feel for this brave man who lost his leg and others who have given the ultimate sacrifice of their life.  Yet, I do feel Iraq was yet another a mistake in a laundry list of terrible decisions by the current administration.  I cannot in my mind justify mass kiillings against a country that never attacked us and posed no real threat to us while taking the eye off the Bin Landen - the REAL one responsible for 9-11 that is still running free 7 years later --- what an embarrassment.

Lastly, I do not understand how politicians can claim the US is winning the war on terror ....... 9-11 was an economic attack ..... meant to draw us into expensive and prolonged wars that would suck our economy dry.  The village idiot George W has more than happy to aide Al Qaeda in this goal. Now we are in a recession and our economy is tanking while we put 10+ billion on month into Iraq.

Maybe we should take a look at history for an analogy of this Iraq invasion ...... In WW II Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.  In hindsight should we have invaded China at the time -- after all, they were an Asian country also? ;-O