No accusations towards you intended Lynn, just my attempt to explain why people use those statistics and why I think they are appropriate.

It's tough for people to make the point that the number of losses we have seen since this war started are justifiable, without being accused of not caring. YES, to each one of those families it's a tragedy that they will live with for generations (I know), but there is a greater good that will come from this. We need to stay focused on the goal or we will put ourselves into a situation where our actions here at home actually result in more dead soldiers. Look at Vietnam, the protests and the influence they had on decisions made by the Government. They resulted in dead soldiers. Would it all have been different if the f'n hippies were actually supporting our actions ? I think so and maybe my Brother would be here today to spend Christmas with me.

It's good to hear that you're out there walking the walk. My statement wasn't to say you don't but to say that many who use the life and death of these soldiers to tug on our heart strings, have ulterior motives. They could give a shit about you and me and all the others, dead or alive. They use these dead soldiers to make a point, and that's it.

Ok, I have to get some work done. Thanks for posting Lynn, they are good posts and do make me think. Hope you and yours have a good Christmas and New Years.