<p>While his death is tough enough to accept, the multitude of “What a waste” type of comments from fellow mourners really upset me. While I don’t believe for a second his heroic sacrifice was a ‘waste’, I could definately tell I was part of a declining minority of opinion. </p>
<p>Aspen,
You have always presented a reasoned voice in your postings throughout CC. [Since I don’t know how to do the little excerpt in a shaded box thing, I wanted to make an observation about your comment.] I have re-read your comment several times. I don’t understand your reaction.</p>
<p>How are you interpreting the “waste” comment?<br>
Isn’t it possible that the loss of young people–the “best and the brightest”–in this war is a waste? Not necessarily that our children are wasting their time by being in the military but, rather, that their talents are being wasted in this particular war? That, at the end of the day, no significant [positive] change in the middle east will result from our continued presence in Iraq. [See Beirut circa 1983 for comparisons.] Therefore, the loss of life, at this point, is wasteful.</p>
<p>I don’t think my son is wasting his talents by being in the Navy; on the other hand, I do think the loss of his life in connection with the Iraq war would be a terrible waste!</p>
<p>I suppose this is in the same vein of those who believe they can support the troops while not supporting the war. Which I think is entirely possible.</p>
<p>I am no kook who is looking to stir up an argument by misquoting or mischaracterising the statements of others. [See RationalWar] I have left the right, not quite all the way to the left, and come to a belief that nothing productive will come from how our foreign policy has been conducted in the last six/seven years. Perhaps this is the result of an easily manipulated President who was limited in his world exposure. Who knows? The damage has been done and I only hope that the course will be righted with this next election.</p>