Steve: I thought that you did and I find it interesting to hear what you have to say on the subject. I have young children, and when I think about this problem, all I can think about is that, if it is my kid, then the only way I want to risk his life is as a last resort.

That's a pretty selfish way to conduct oneself. Somebody's son or daughter was on the frontline in WWI,WWII,Korean and Vietnam conflicts,Panama,Kuwait,Somolia,Afghanistan,No Fly Zones but I guess it's different for just YOUR kids! Your's are special in what way? If your son or daughter has chosen to serve or has been called to then pray for them. Know that they've been trained to deal with the situation and hope that they come home to you. They do this so no foreign army steps on our soil. Acting like a turtle or ostrich and hiding your head doesn't make the problem go away! You have to stand for what is right.

Now isn't the time for cowards. Now is the time to remember that we live in America, and everyone should enjoy the freedoms that we do. We're willing to shed our blood to get that point across. There's a cost associated with freedom.

Clinton was President during most of my son's tour of duty ... when his ship was sent to the Gulf, I sent an e-mail to the President telling him that he had our support for what was necessary, but that I would appreciate greatly, his using the same frame of reference to determine what was necessary that he'd use if his daughter were part of the military forces on the scene ...

I support GWB with far more enthusiasm that I did Clinton on an idelogical basis, but would send the same note were my boy part of the forces involved.

I can tell you that it's a pretty powerful thing to know your child is on the line that way ... he called me once in the middle of the night "just to chat" but couldn't tell me much because a lot of their circumstances were "classified information" ... it didn't take me long to figure out something was up and I hinted as much to him ... all he said was "dad, you're a smart guy, but I can't confirm that" ... I later learned that the next morning, they flew a sortie over Iraq ... I never did tell his mom all the detail of that call until after he was out of the service ...

I cannot see the news of action there without thinking that he was there and imagining how I'd feel if he'd have been in the place of any of those who're killed there ... and even writing this post brings up a flood of emotion ...

A friend of a friend was one of those guys who helped to bring down that plane in PA last year ... his widow is a woman very little older than my oldest son ... she and her husband's parents have a loss as great as the parents of Johnny Spann or any of those special services or marines that've been killed over there ...
We just can't wait for them to take horrific action against us that could kill multiple times what 9/11 cost us last year ...

All we can do is to know that modern technology makes them safer than they'd have been at the time of the Revolution, Civil War, WWI, or II ... or any other war since then ... this is not a land action in Vietnam ... a lot was learned there by our military and we won't be repeating those mistakes ...

Bottom line is that I am sure Sadaam will elect to do business the hard way and we'll oblige him ... we can only hope it can be accomplished swiftly with minimal losses ...

Steve, thanks for sharing.

Dr. Vibe, chill out. What I was trying to say is that, since I have kids, I understand why many want to be absolutely sure that we are making the correct decision. Forgive me if I don't share your confidence of the Bush admin., but that is my right.

However, regardless of who is promoting war, these questions need to be asked every time, and there is an obligation to answer them. It is not a question of cowardice, it is a matter of respect for the lives which will be lost.

drmad man

you are a complete idiot and ask the stupidest questions. why my kids, are they something special. damn right they are as well as everyone else's kid ought to be.

if you want to send your kids to die, your are descpicable.

you are the most gung-ho madman i have seen on this board. you have not clue one what the hell is going on in ther world because you have such a tight ass view of the world and are able to accept anything this moron of a president says.

i think i saw some polite responses to you saying no offense but... well this is offensive and you deserve it.

and for the rest of you right wingers, you are as much in your right to have your political viewpoint as i am and up until now i have never said anything that would offend some one personally, it's stooping too low.

if you are all ready to accept the ravings of this mad man in office, the loss of personal freedoms, and dumb ass democrats, lieberman, daschle, gephardt, you can all go piss up a rope.

the next one that says i have issues, is a ding.
that next right or left wing zealot that says that i have mental problems, doesn't no squatt about problems, mental, or otherwise.

anyone that disagrees with me, fine. but stoop to psycho-babble, forget about it.

i smoke my cigars, i email with some buddy's who don't agree with anything i think about politics, but we maintain a civility and maybe even a mutual respect for the other's views.

you madman are a narrow minded stupid individual and like cigsmoke of months ago needs not be encouraged to rant.

i can't wait to see your response when i have raised your hackels like this.

for the normal people:

toby and i are off to the orleans to place our bets at the sports book for the weekends nfl games.

we are going to the stage deli to get new your lox, bagels and cream cheese and a few thick slices of muenster cheese. i may even pick up some cod.

diner at the el cortez, prime rib rare for toby and baby back ribs for me, was so good, we have half of the meal (no one can eat an entire meal in vegas) in the ice box for a snack.

last night we played a nickle dueces machine starting at 1:30. i put $25.00 in and we played until 7:30 when toby finally hit a royal with dueces. we cashed in the $8.40 that was left and thought $17.00 of cigar smoking, and shooting the breeze with each other for 6 hours was great.

before we gambled we went to freemont street and sat down at a cuppaccino bar so we could look at the show and i could light a monte #5 and disappear in to the nervana that only a great cigar can deliver you. we went to see the red dragon and when we came out we went back to the same place and this time i smoked a hemmingway work of art.

we both slept from 10:00 until about 1:00pm and we are off and running.

nice chating with you all again and nice talking to you cahlie on the phone and you didn't even recognize my accent.

3 words ******,er I mean Rick.

BITTER

OLD

LIBERAL

Don't strain your brain you might have a thought or two.