2008 Woodie Awards
Letters To The Editor
Issue date: 4/1/08 Section: Commentary
Casapulla Wrong When It Comes To Iraq
I would like to thank Rob Casapulla for illustrating how wrong the War in Iraq is ("Stop-Loss Protests Unpersuasive, Futile" March 31). By comparing the war in Iraq to Vietnam, he's putting this war in the same category as one of the biggest mistakes in American foreign policy history. The war in Vietnam was a complete disaster and so is the war in Iraq. I often underestimate the power of misinformation in our current culture but I would like to dissolve a few myths about both the war and civil disobedience in general.
Those who believe that stop-loss is a military necessity are forgetting some very important aspect of this situation. These specialized troops can not perform their duty to their potential without rest. Sending someone into the field without sufficient after care puts a potentially unstable soldier in a harsh situation. Also, Stop loss is a policy used as a last resort during a time of war. Congress has never declared a state of war against Iraq. Executing a policy reserved for a state of war during an occupation is illegal. Bush himself declared an end to major military operations in 2003, five years ago. But more disturbing than the legality of the issue is the complete lack of morality when deciding how to treat the men and women that are willing to sacrifice their lives for our safety. Casapulla believes that 4,000 dead Americans is acceptable.
I believe one dead American is unacceptable. People are not statistics. Every single one of those soldiers had friends and family that are directly affected. Every death creates a ripple that affects entire communities. And if 4,000 isn't enough for you, how about the 30,000 wounded, the half-million dead Iraqi's, or the two million refugees. Just how many of my brothers and sisters are you willing to send to die so that some greedy bigot in power can get rich? And for what did they die for? Lower gas prices? Lowered dependence on "foreign" oil? Better economic stability? Respect from the international community?
I would like to thank Rob Casapulla for illustrating how wrong the War in Iraq is ("Stop-Loss Protests Unpersuasive, Futile" March 31). By comparing the war in Iraq to Vietnam, he's putting this war in the same category as one of the biggest mistakes in American foreign policy history. The war in Vietnam was a complete disaster and so is the war in Iraq. I often underestimate the power of misinformation in our current culture but I would like to dissolve a few myths about both the war and civil disobedience in general.
Those who believe that stop-loss is a military necessity are forgetting some very important aspect of this situation. These specialized troops can not perform their duty to their potential without rest. Sending someone into the field without sufficient after care puts a potentially unstable soldier in a harsh situation. Also, Stop loss is a policy used as a last resort during a time of war. Congress has never declared a state of war against Iraq. Executing a policy reserved for a state of war during an occupation is illegal. Bush himself declared an end to major military operations in 2003, five years ago. But more disturbing than the legality of the issue is the complete lack of morality when deciding how to treat the men and women that are willing to sacrifice their lives for our safety. Casapulla believes that 4,000 dead Americans is acceptable.
I believe one dead American is unacceptable. People are not statistics. Every single one of those soldiers had friends and family that are directly affected. Every death creates a ripple that affects entire communities. And if 4,000 isn't enough for you, how about the 30,000 wounded, the half-million dead Iraqi's, or the two million refugees. Just how many of my brothers and sisters are you willing to send to die so that some greedy bigot in power can get rich? And for what did they die for? Lower gas prices? Lowered dependence on "foreign" oil? Better economic stability? Respect from the international community?
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what do you actually know about stoploss?
posted 4/01/08 @ 11:14 AM EST
"Sending someone into the field without sufficient after care puts a potentially unstable soldier in a harsh situation."
what stop loss actually is:
1) Stop Loss occurs no more than 90 days prior to a deployment and you are Stop-Lossed throughout the deployment and then again 90 more days upon return to complete outprocessing. (Continued…)
KH
posted 4/01/08 @ 2:08 PM EST
Mmmm, I do so love seeing Casapulla getting told he's terrible at what he does. If only he could take a hint...
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