June 01, 2004

It's About Respect

More than 800 U.S. servicemembers have died in Iraq, and because most of the casualties were after May 2003, this Memorial Day will be a more somber one.

The deaths, combined with ongoing fighting and allegations of prisoner abuse, have taken their toll on support for the war. But for the families of those killed, Memorial Day is not about politics or polls. It's about honoring those who gave their lives for their country.

Memorial Day is all about respect. Respect for those who gave their lives so that we might live in freedom.

I was more than a little shocked to read that John Kerry decided to use Memorial Day as a chance to do some Bush bashing. I can't possibly understand what went through his head when he decided to turn a day of remembrance into a something so ugly. This was one day....ONE DAY...when the run for the presidency shouldn't even have been considered.

Classless. Crass. Disrespectful.

I simply can't fathom how Kerry thought he'd come across looking good...

Memorial Day is about respect, Mr. Kerry. Respect. If you aren't too sure what the word means, Merriam-Webster or Aretha Franklin would come in handy.

While I don't believe that John Kerry's actions had exactly the impact he'd hoped, I firmly believe that there were millions of others whose actions this weekend honored our heroes. And I'd rather spend more time thinking of the those who honored our fallen heroes as opposed to those who used the dead to further their ambitions. Wouldn't you?

To all of you who took the time to visit a grave, remember a fallen warrior and hero in word or in deed, who took a moment of your time to say a prayer - THANK YOU! That's what Memorial Day is about.

Posted by DaGoddess at June 1, 2004 09:43 AM
Comments

I agree with you, but it was also disrecpectful for Bush to use the 9/11 dead in his own capaigning. Perhaps it's time to revise the old saw about 1,000 lawyers at the bottom of the ocean...

Posted by: The Zero Boss at June 1, 2004 10:11 AM

I am shocked, SHOCKED, that there is political campaigning going on during a presidential election! :-P Bush ads heavy on attack, light on facts

Meanwhile, Americans on both sides of war debate use the Web to sow friendship in Iraq.

Posted by: Joe Crawford at June 1, 2004 01:07 PM

Do you claim to be an Animal expert or something? I was curious with all the pictures you have on wildlife if have a degree in something relating to animals or just have pictures for some other reason.

Posted by: Jennifer at June 1, 2004 01:16 PM

Zero Boss - families of those who died on September 11 have given their approval on that footage. In some ways I find it regretful that it's used at all, but in other ways, I understand. Bush's reaction and quick response to the events that day are part of his resume. His leadership saw us through the horror of those moments and sorrow in the aftermath. It's a tough call. Compared to Kerry's running of the mouth on a holiday dedicated to those who fought to keep this nation free - I would pick the Bush approach in a minute. I feel it's, at the very least, the most honest.

Joe - That Spirit of America button on my sidebar and quite a bit of my archives will attest that I believe in SoA 100% - there is no stopping this country when politics are put aside and when people work together for the greater good.

Posted by: Da Goddess at June 1, 2004 03:19 PM

Hey D.G. Just got back from the WW II Memorial dedication in Washington. I'll be blogging about it. I went there to represent my grandfather, who died a few years ago; a navy veteran with time in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters.

In D.C. I was appalled by "Bush-bashing" and basic anti-Americanism running rampant. And not just by the ususal tree-hugging grungers; I'm talking professional people.

As I was watching the memorial dedication, I realized that my grandfather's generation's determination to achieve "total victory at any cost" is something that my modern generation simply cannot, or will not, understand.

Posted by: David Kilpatrick at June 1, 2004 04:17 PM

It seems Candidate Kerry, got a little more than he was expecting at the Wall, but he reacted just as I expected him too.

Posted by: James Old Guy at June 2, 2004 09:46 AM