We've Got Kids in Harm's Way

I'd love to ask Frank Luntz, the diabolical image minder who crafts political language for Republicans, what he thinks of this quote yesterday from President Bush on the war in Iraq:

I understand how dangerous it is there. I understand we've got kids in harm's way, and I worry about their families. And obviously, anytime there's a death, I grieve.

I can't think of a worse way for a president to restore flagging public support in a war than to describe our troops as children. The quote reminds me of Nineteen, the '80s pop song by Paul Hardcastle that declared the average age of combat troops in Vietnam was 19.

The average age of American casualties in Iraq is around 27, according to Drew Brown of Knight-Ridder.

Politics · 2005/06/21 · 13 COMMENTS · Link

Comments

Typcial lib...worrying about bullshit semantics...you object to using the term kid? Or is it that you hate actaully put a face on the cost of freedom? Or is it that you just like it better when it is stats so you can just gloat with glee and say "I told you so!"

Definition of kid: A young person.

Too bad it's so easy to see the results of war...what can't be seen are the results of not going to war.

#1 · Yada Yada Yada · 2005/06/21

I object to the term "kid," and I suspect that if you asked any soldier they would object to it as well.

As for the general sentiment of concern conveyed by the president's comments, I applaud it.

#2 · Rogers Cadenhead · 2005/06/21

I heard this a.m. that Bush will be taking a trip to Vietnam. Truely amazing, when we were at war there he did everything in his father's power to get out of going. He supported the war from afar. Now, with our former enemies in charge but willing to forgive and forget he finally gets up the courage to go. Sort of like most of the folks who support the war in Iraq, they support it from afar with other people's kids doing the fighting and dying. Kids too young to even remember the era when Bush's daddy was providing Saddam with the very WMDs that his son used to justify the invasion.

#3 · danni · 2005/06/21

Yeah, come on all of you, big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He's got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
We're gonna have a whole lotta fun.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Well, come on generals, let's move fast;
Your big chance has come at last.
Gotta go out and get those reds --
The only good commie is the one who's dead
And you know that peace can only be won
When we've blown 'em all to kingdom come.

Huh!

Well, come on Wall Street, don't move slow,
Why man, this is war au-go-go.
There's plenty good money to be made
By supplying the Army with the tools of the trade,
Just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb,
They drop it on the Viet Cong.

And it's one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

Well, come on mothers throughout the land,
Pack your boys off to Vietnam.
Come on fathers, don't hesitate,
Send 'em off before it's too late.
Be the first one on your block
To have your boy come home in a box.

And it's one, two, three
What are we fighting for ?
Don't ask me, I don't give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it's five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain't no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we're all gonna die.

#4 · Put a face on the cost of freedom? What a joke. Ain't my freedom, and ain't worth our time. · 2005/06/21

"hate actually put a face on the cost of freedom"

Freedom? Freedom for WHOM?

Did France FIGHT for our independence?
No you say?
So why is it that AMERICANS are fighting for your self titled "freedom" for a people who had and do refuse to fight themselves?

"what can't be seen are the results of not going to war."

Sure you can.
Ask Reagan, he watched and did NOTHING while Saddam killed all those people (with American weapons via US government) the SAME people the administration and its lemmings (that's you) talk about when justifying this illegal war (25 YEARS AGO he killed them, and did NOTHING, not yesterday)

"what can't be seen are the results of not going to war."
Sure you can, just read a little history about WW2 and the way republicans stalled entering the war while MILLIONS of Jews were gassed.

"what can't be seen are the results of not going to war."
Sure you can, Vietnam would be the SAME (no communism flooding Asia) minus the American ordinance still crippling thousands.
Iraq, just like Vietnam is based on a lie. Lies NEVER benefit anyone (ie why we had our ass handed to us in Vietnam).

It amazes me just how ignorant most Americans are to HISTORY, but that does explain Bush's popularity with some. Why is it that all you tough talkers are so terrified by a handful of Middle Eastern republicans with a few knives that you would be willing to pay so much for a false sense of security?
Contrary to common paranoia, terrorism has been around since the beginning of recorded history. To believe the world changed on 9-11 only shows how ignorant you are to the rest of the world and the people in it! Fact is that the only thing that changed after 9-11 was the wholesale exploitation of fear and religion as a tool to manipulate the ignorant (like you).
I suggest Yada that you go get another shot of strychnine, dance a bit more with your snakes, talk some gibberish and come back after a trip to the library.

Dick C

#5 · Dick C · 2005/06/21

Bush says...kids are in harms way",who put them there....oh shit I did........never mind.

#6 · comedian · 2005/06/21

"As for the general sentiment of concern conveyed by the president's comments, I applaud it."

Too bad Bush's sentiment of concern is half-hearted. He would still be at his ranch golfing--not giving a shit--if the public weren't so unhappy with his performance as President and his handling of this diversion from the war on terror (aka Iraq). Every time support starts to wane, he pretends to care. Our soldiers and our country deserve more.

#7 · Independent · 2005/06/21

Hey Dick,

Nice rant but I think you need to look a bit further back into history. Without help from France the United States would not exist. It would be the United Kingdom. Ben Franklin spent a lot of time lobbying for help from France (and flirting with the French ladies... can you blame him?) to save our fledgling country.

Regardless, that does not let Bush off the hook. I will believe he cares about the "kids" dying "over there" when he sends his own "over there" to help.

There is no way we will ever be able to justify this war... it is immoral and unjust. Hell, it is not even a war. Do you see anybody around your town acting like there is a war? (Except maybe the poor folk who have their children sent there) Where is the rationing where is the support from the general population? God it is Vietnam all over again. When will we learn?

America does not attack without provocation. There were no WMD. Sadam had not connection to Al Queda. The whole thing is a sham and I am embarassed for my country.

And what the hell is this about spreading Democracy... America is not a Democracy!

And I gotta tell you I am NOT sending my kids over there... we will be busy fighting for our freedom here!

#8 · Donnerboy · 2005/06/21

Too bad it's so easy to see the results of war...what can't be seen are the results of not going to war.

So easy? Try taking a picture of all the dead returning from that desert shithole....just try. So easy...what an assface!

#9 · Yo MAMA · 2005/06/21

Yada,
Thou art the dung cart of the kingdom.

#10 · Diane Snyder · 2005/06/22

WHat I can't figure out is 1 why is Dumbya still in Office 2 why would anyone vote for Him in the first damned place?? Come on wake up and smell the Folgers. I just don't understand some peoples mentality I really don't.

Larry

#11 · Larry Mohr · 2005/06/22

There's nothing in these comments I object to more than the idea that Rogers is a typical anything. He's special, damn your eyes!

#12 · Uncle Mikey · 2005/06/22

Or is it that you hate actually putting a face on the cost of freedom?

As Yo Mama pointed out the one who doesn't want to put a face on the cost of this war is BushCo in their insistance that no photos of returning dead service people be taken.

And really, it's more of a fear thing than a hate thing as far as W goes.

Be Well.

#13 · dethspud · 2005/06/26