In remembrance of the 4,000 brave men and women who sacrificed everything for us -- and the two men who would continue this great tragedy, despite the cost to our soldiers, our military, and our nation.
Click here to see the full (very large) image.
(Note: Since some photos of fallen U.S. soldiers are unavailable, there are duplicates.)
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The 4,000 figure is a lie perpetrated on Congress and the American people by the DoD:
http://www.tbrnews.org/Archives/a1669.htm
http://www.tbrnews.org/Archives/a2540.htm#001
That's owesome for the combination of these photos! Nevertheless, these 4000 men and women who died for nothing are just the chessman played by the politians. Don't call me a peace-maker, yet what ever happed once a war broke out. Casualties, death, poverty, economic regradation, starving, hatred, revenge, and so forth... Oh my... No wonder the terrorists did the horrible things to the States... We may think twice before we make any decisions to start a war against any so-called axis countries. My two cents would be pretty conservative, which is to mainly focus on the economic development within the States other than administering the business of any other third countries...
our military heroes will never know the value of their work...there are no words to adequately express our gratitude to the fallen heroes and their families, loved ones...with this mistaken war we have worn our soldiers thin, and we will need them for more important work...what will we do?
i would bet my son's education $$ on bringing our troops home with just as many good consequences as the current admin would claim to be bad!!
obama '08
Hi janvoght You would win that bet and your Son would have a lot of money for education!
Also Obama for truth.
Hey Pitney:
Nice way to use the sacrifice of American troops in the typical nihilist fashion: not out of respect for the fallen, but as another notch in your anti-war belt.
It's difficult for you socialist "democrats" with your post-election trauma and the weekly trips to your therapist, but the rest of America is sick and tired of the imbecilic regurgitations that "Bush lied".
You want lies? Bubba Clinton used the Oval Office as a conduit for high crimes. His Chinese/Indonesian friends Charlie Trie, John Huang, and James Riady bought the 1996 "election" in exchange for classified satellite technology. Bubba"s callous indifference to the terrorist attacks on his watch; Khobar Towers, the embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania, the USS Cole, and the FIRST World trade Center attack in 1993, gave al Qaida a green light. Oh, wait, he did have a response--a wag-the-dog bombing of Kosovo and an aspirin factory in Iraq. Clinton flushed national security down the toilet, and not a peep out of you liberal blockheads.
To defeat the enemy you must strike where they live and breed. The Middle East is a cesspool of the Islamofascism which attacked the United States on 9/11. Terrorists, abetted by every country there, can and do cross borders.
How "bout forming pictures of the 3000 9/11 victims into the face of Bin Laden, Hussein, Bubba Clinton, or any one of the number of Islamofascist Middle Eastern states?
That would be fitting.
Zeig heil! Zeig heil!
I don't need no stinking facts! I'm a Nazi sheep! I can't be reasoned with! Red state! Red blood! 'Murkkka first, 'Murka last! 'Murka! 'Murka! 'Murka! Let's use the nuk'lar solution! PNAC! It's the name of my sheep frat at the University of Mindlessness!
Oooooooo, lookie here. Another morally devoid jihad-sympathetic moonbat.
Mr. magna-cum-numbnuts likes to spew the "nazi" line. Cute.
It really kills you nutbags that we"re defeating Islamofascist thugs. Yeah, how dare we take the lead in erradicating terrorist scumbags who want to turn the planet into a Caliphate. If you don"t get it, they didn"t hit close enough to your own back yard.
Just the facts, sweetpea.
sfcmale,
If you really think the Iraq War is about fighting terrorism, why do you suppose Bush didn't strike the one country that the Joint Congressional Inquiry found funded and directed the 9/11 hijackers through their intelligence services, Saudi Arabia?
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/09/05/911_hijackers_tied_to_saudi_government_graham_says_in_book?mode=PF
Or the country that backed the Taliban and al Qaeda in Afghanistan through their security services, who Daniel Pearl used to make contact with his eventual killers, Pakistan?
http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/437E6C69-DFD2-49CF-BC37-BED1C8E96987/
Has it occurred to you that Bush is using the real problem of terrorism as an excuse to pursue the business agenda of his friends, and is doing so in a way that increases not decreases hatred and animosity toward the US that makes it easier for terrorist groups to recruit?
Your "hit them where they breed" comment implies that genocide is the only way to deal with terrorism. Do you advocate killing all muslims, all Arabs, or both? Won't that make those you haven't yet killed more motivated to attack us?
Wouldn't it make more sense to target those who actually attacked us, and figure out ways to reduce sympathy for their cause?
I advocate anihilating as many as possible. They're supported, funded, and trained throughout the Middle East, that includes Saudi Arabia. As for making them "more motivated" they already are. They are simply following the precepts set down in the Koran. ALL of them support terrorism. Islam is, at its very core, a violent theocracy. The Saudis are just tacit about it. The "business agenda" of Bush's freinds? Like what? If you're spewing "it's all about the oil" mantra, it's patently false. Hell, if it were true, we'd be paying 3cents a gallon instead of 3 bucks a pop. Most of that oil is exported to Indonesia, and the money is used to help re-build Iraq's infrastructure. In anycase, you're going to have to divest yourself of the notion that surgical strikes will succeed in this kind of war. Islamic terrorists will and have crossed borders; we wiil have to deal with that no matter where we retaliate in the Middle East.
The war against the West was declared by Mohammad in the 7th Century, and modern day Ottoman wannabes are carrying out his wishes.
carlgt1: You know, at first I thought you really hated this war and all the unnecessary deaths but you have opened my eyes. It's not the war, it's the administration you hate. You don't see anything wrong with a Marine voluntarily staying in the Marines to kill innocent people, as long as he hates Bush as much as you do. You know... that's pretty darn sick pal. You ought to be freakin ashamed. How do you look yourself in the mirror when you shave? Do you shave?
I have a question about this Marine Captain and his tragic loss that has popped up. Unlike an enlisted Marine, as a commissioned officer, this Captain is not a helpless pawn to the political whims of his leaders. He's not a hostage. As my fellow veterans on this blog are aware, with sufficient active duty and reserve time, this Captain has the right to resign his commission, regardless of stop-loss. I don't entirely discount his remarks, however I'm puzzled. For some reason this Captain decided to accept a commission, (that, based on his age) was during this conflict. in a branch that is famous for it's unerring, pit bull obedience and dedication to the commander and chief... but complains about the injustice of it all AND is coincidently, is republican too!!. Holy mackeral!! What an incredibly lucky alignment of the stars for the hate Bush crowd.
What I don't understand is... why like others on this thread who have lost loved ones, he hasn't bothered to mention his brother's name? If he has the courage of his convictions, why did he leave that little detail out? The worst the USMC could do to him is send him home and put him out.
How long did our crazy little rascal carlgt1 have to scour the web to find that I wonder?
Furthermore, why would a Marine capt "uncloak" - so as to possibly affect his career/retirement/honorable discharge etc? If this unfortunately person did say who his brother was (and who he was) - hypocrites like you would be the first to report him to some authority and get him booted no doubt....
Why should anyone have to report him. If he is the kind of Republican you admire, why would you accept that he is continuing to kill innocent women and children and lead young men to their deaths in spite of being in total disagreement with the war. Why would someone of your high ideals accept this level of hypocrisy? Why would you not be the first person to tell this Marine to come out of the closet and stand up and be counted. Particularly since the only thing that can happen to him is the loss of a job he claims to be sickened by. Frankly, I'm disgusted. So what you're saying is that, getting his retirement is worth more than the lives of the women and children you say are dying at his hands? So. Tell me how many retirement checks is one Iraqi woman worth? One, two, maybe three? Are Iraqi children worth as many retirement checks as women, or does it depend on if it's a boy or girl?
who knows this Marine's reasons for not going public. Maybe he deserves all his pay & benefits from the armed forces, and you don't. I don't know; and can't judge him for that. Again, you are invented the most bizarre scenarios to fit your absurdly obscene notions. It's funny that you would begrudge this guy his what, $50K, by dishonorable discharge; but you cheer Bush & Cheney & Exxon & Halliburton & Carlyle Group as they rake in billions. And now your bogus "concern" over Iraqi women & children; such a transparent ploy. I bet you didn't care that much about Katrina victims in New Orleans, or Darfur, or Tibet, etc. Just the absurdity that you think every veteran should goose-step to your point of view; my own parents are Korean War vets; a corpsman & a Navy nurse, and they can't stand the Bush kabal & these wars!
Gee, I thought you were gone? You're dishonest even in your "signoff" that your "work is done here."
It was quite easy to find this Marine as the crossover between HuffPo & DU is quite common.
So you don't believe this Marine; I don't believe the "grieving father" here that coincidentally shows up to support your viewpoint. Anybody could pick the name of some unfortunate SOB killed in these wars and claim it's their brother/father/sister/mother.
Yet the Marine didn't and the father and others did.
These hateful blog cross over to other hateful blogs? Not surprised.
As I said, if he has the courage of his convictions.. why doesn't he resign?
"unfortunate SOB killed in these wars" I'm sure they appreciate your respect.
Inventing that your outraged? Either that... or you've had way too much coffee.
I have quite a bit of time to spend here on this blog because since the early 70s until several years ago, I was sent to visit varied exotic places, on your behalf. I retired and was declared totally disabled by the VA shortly afterwards.
I'm just wondering what you do to feed your habit son. Apparently you haven't been to work for two or three days. Where do you get the time to sit around with the blinds closed, typing these angry screeds nearly 18 hours a day? Do you contribute to this society in any way? Besides criticism and anger.
again - you really seem to be projecting your own bizarre take on this picture, not to mention your own delusion that I'm "angry." plus you promised all of us below that you would leave 10 posts ago! ;-)
regarding the "hateful blog" strawman you like to generate -- did you actually look at that Marine thread on DU? I saw something like 200 posts in outright sympathy & support for this poor SOB; with one crackpot of the "babykiller" uber-liberal stereotype (which was probably from a FreeRepugliKKKan posing as a "liberal"). And everybody roundly flamed that guy.
So it looks like your perception of "liberal outraged" is all manufactured; just like the stories of "hippies spitting on Vietnam vets" are all manufactured (and really, how did RepugliKKKans every come up with that lie; real tough soldiers terrified of hippies?)
I am satisfied that my work is done here. Have a nice day all.
your "work" consisting of what, having absolutely no sense of perspective and proportion? good riddance...
For Maca & carlgt1
As a career soldier, I'm amazed that you are able on the one hand to claim to have the utmost respect and sympathy and on the other call me a host of rediculous names for expressing my dislike of it. It makes me and every other soldier or vet of any party seriously question the sincerity of your regret and degree of your respect.
The Marine you've mentioned is entitled to his opinion. The difference between you and I... I disagree but still respect him .
Now, if this is interpreted by you as some sort of vitriol or drivel, then you are just a zealot, completely incapable of self examination and the ability to adjust fire. If you think that being a progressive means losing my freakin mind every time I think of Bush or Republicans or the war then you need meds. If you want me to write a dissertation on why I don't like the war, then we need to go to another blog. That isn't the topic here. It's the picture, what it means and how it effects others. I've told you how it affects a soldier. You've told me you don't give a shit and that I'm an ass.
so basically you're saying (in your 100 inane posts here on the topic) that since you're a vet and are outraged, then all vets should be outraged and we should all be ashamed of ourselves for not bashing this mosaic. Yet I have printed a link to a Marine who is in favor of this, and who's brother has died in this stupid war. So basically you're damning those of us who happen to appreciate this mosaic; yet we're supposed to believe you were bravely fighting for our freedoms? It's sad you can't even see your own hypocrisy.
I didn't damn anyone, you boob. I said I don't like the picture and the use of dead soldiers to produce it. Are you just tea-totally freakin nuts or what? You lost your mind the first time you read one of my posts and have been comparing me to everything but Beelzebub and the Four horses of the apocalypse. I've told you before, calm down, have a little respect for others. For your own sake, before you have a stroke.
so now you're inventing that I'm outraged, just to match your faux-outrage over this picture. As I said before, you're dishonest even in your "signoff" above - as you show up outraged two hours later to post more tripe.
OK, as far as anecdotal evidence to combat the "redrover-esque" liars & hypocrites -- here's an Repub Marine captain in Iraq, who's little brother was just killed (and he's apparently endorsing this mosaic):
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5248211
Obviously you have never served in the Military, the greatest respect you give to those who have died is to complete the mission and give the Iraqi people independence. Those who serve, serve voluntarily and know they may have to give their life. They also know that if successful they will give the Iraqi people the same freedoms we enjoy. Freedom is a great gift to give and it is the ultimate gift a soldier can give.
I'm a little surprised that you haven't referred to this Marine as a Repuglikkan. Have you finally found one that you like? Seems a little hypocritical to me, don't you think. You've ranted for two days that repuglikkkans are the lowest form of life. I'm happy for you that you have found one that you consider to be a good guy. I'm surprised and delighted that you have expressed an openness of mind to go outside your party to embrace the opinion of someone you have previously described as stupid and worse. You have come a long way friend and I can see that my advice to you has at long last had a positive effect on your view of the world.
There are RepugliKKKans (i.e. the current neo-con crop of war-mongering anti-evolution idiots) and there are Republicans (i.e. Abraham Lincoln, fiscal conservatives who are social liberals, etc).
War-mongering?
Roosevelt-WWII
Truman-Korea
Kennedy-Vietnam
Clinton-Kosovo
What do they all have in common? Democrats
HuffPost's Pick
The image is revolting. The smiling happy faces of cheerleaders for war superimposed over the faces of those who gave everything because they loved their country. I hate that this image exists, and that it's not finished yet. It didn't bring me the victorious feeling of a sharp poke to the Republican conscience. In fact, the image just made me feel a little sick.
On the other hand, if you enlarge the image enough, the faces of Bush and McCain disappear, and only the faces of soldiers remain. And, the picture is in a high enough resolution that you can clearly make out the faces of the soldiers. So, I just spent an hour or so looking at each face individually. 4000 thousand faces, people that I don't know but who went thousands of miles away to die in the sand defending our somewhat flawed dream of a country.
The argument over whether or not this image is exploitative and mean-spirited or just a powerful expression of protest is a valid argument. All I know is, because of this image, I was moved to look at all of the 4000 dead individually. And, after viewing the faces of those 4000 individuals, I am able to view the picture with pride and respect. (At least, as long as I keep the image enlarged.)
It's a nice sentiment, and you're right that one positive effect of this piece is that people start looking at the faces of the dead.
But still, I think what is making you feel sick here is--to an extent--a fabrication or approximation on the part of the artist. If a piece of art depicted Bush pointing and laughing hysterically at Abu Graib pictures that would make me sick. I would find it revolting. But that scene itself has never actually happened; we might accept the interpretation and be angered by it because we view Bush as an immoral and reckless person, but that actual scene of him pointing and laughing never happened.
The same is true of this piece; it never happened. Bush and McCain do not smile and laugh when they hear of the 4,000 killed, and that's what this piece intimates.
True, Bush has made horribly innappropriate jokes at certain dinner events, and should never have started this terrible war, and he has kept us in it for 5 years too many, and he is--in my book--an immoral soul. But he has made his case that he believes he is doing the right thing. I disagree emphatically, but his motives are not malicious. They are misguided.
This piece, for better or worse, is a caracature of that misguided soul. It is not accurate and it does not illuminate anything we don't already know, it simply exploits what we already think.
Exactly, If this image was used as a tribute to those who have given their lives for this Country it would be appropriate (without Bush and McCain in it, just those who have died). But we know what the INTENT of the picture is. It is using the images of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to take a stab at the President and John McCain (who has two sons in the Military and one of them has served in Iraq). Using those pictures in that way is what is wrong with it. Why can't you honor those people who have died believing in what they are doing instead of using them. Attack the President all you want, but don't use the memories of those pictured to accomplish it.
carlgt1:
I take it back . So, what you're saying is that these people on this thread vigorously defending this picture as profound art, including you... are republicans then? This was a republican message to America? You are actually a vehement conservative republican, is that it? You think I love Ann Coulter and Bush because I think this picture is in bad taste and disrespectful. You figure a retired, disabled career soldier must be a fraud because he's offended to see his comrades debased? Are you just a twisted little freak or are you actually a typical representative of today's progressive party? Please let me know because if you are, then I'm keeping bad company.
As a military family, I am sickened by this photo. Anyone still supporting the lies which continue to kill our soldiers should be held out as the anti-American and anti-troop degenerates that they are.
Send them to re-education camps so they can study American history, the Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Don't let them out until they truly understand what it means to be an American citizen.
Quite frankly, sir, you are an ass. You and your ilk flip out over minutiae such as this picture, seen by 80K at the most, and not representative of any party. Yet you casually ignore the evil deeds of the a-holes that put these poor SOB's in harms way. Your hypocritical crocodile tears are as lame as the policies you tacitly support. As I've said before -- you screech about the motes in other's eyes, whilst ignoring the beams in your own.
WTF?
Sorry Red, but I got to go home and cook dinner. So here's my last post for the night: The truth, is the truth, is the truth. I can't fault Nico for expressing the truth. Even if it makes me uncomfortable, even if it might offend some innocent people. The overlying truth is 100 times more disturbing to me than the means by which he expressed it. I can't fault Rosa Parks by offending innocent white people when she refused to go to the back of the bus. Not that I'm saying Nico is Rosa Parks, and not that I'm saying soldier's families are the whites on the bus, but I'm saying that sometimes the truth and/or doing the right thing is offensive. As well it should be when the truth of the matter is so terrible. And that's about it.
Posted March 24, 2008 | 09:22 AM (EST)