SwiftVets.com

jwb7605

I'm posting this on behalf of my wife, who works as a "parapro" (Teacher's aide) at a school.

On November 3rd, a young (30-ish, according to her) person said to her "I'm sorry Bush got re-elected and now your son will go back to Iraq and be killed" ... or something very close to that. My son is in the Marines, and doesn't expect to have to return to Iraq, but "que sera', sera'", as the saying goes. He'll go if they need him.

My wife avoids politics, doesn't discuss them much, and was deeply affected by the remark.

If it had been me, this young man would have been dragged by the b*lls outside, and we'd have had a brief but instructive chat.
Which, of course, is one of the reasons I'm not qualified to work in a school.

I've given her some suggestions for a civil reply, although the remark does not deserve one.
For example, I told her to point out that at least the body armour wouldn't be coming from the lowest bidder, and maybe mention we expect our son to be honorably discharged, at least.

Anybody got input on how to respond to this kind of remark?
My blood boils every time I think about it.
This sort of thing needs to come to an abrupt halt, even if not done in front of students.

ocsparky101 · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 3:46 pm Post subject:

Might I suggest, "at least my son is willing to sacrifice for the freedom of creeps like you. Your problem is you are to cowardly to act to protect those exact freedoms which give you the ability to make such stupid remarks".

GiveMeFreedom · PO3 Joined: 23 Aug 2004 Posts: 279 Location: Wisconsin

She could tell him this: "Since you are so concerned for my son, I will gladly buy you a ticket to go with him and act as his human shield! I'll buy you some 'Depends' to take with you, so you won't be embarrassed when you piss yourself like a girl!" Laughing

I remember the story of all the 'human shields' going over there in protest to the war to protect the schools & hospitals, only to realize the Iraqi troops were falling in behind them!!

These freaks.... my Dad said the same thing to me a while back.... I wasn't so nice, and hung up on him... I probably won't be seeing or talking to him for a long time... his loss, not mine! Mad

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GiveMeFreedom
http://www.anysoldier.com
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Padma · Seaman Recruit Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 16

Try as I might, I can't think of a single reply to this kind of trash that could be labeled as 'civil'. Evil or Very Mad

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Master Sergeant, USAF (Retired)

Mooncusser · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 7:24 pm Post subject:

Only people who have served or had loved ones in the armed forces would understand the dedication, pride and loyalty of your son.

Only people who have not served in the armed forces could make such a rude, obnoxious and hateful statement.
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MACV '64...65
Thu Thua, Long An

I actually won the election before I lost it.

"It is a good day to fight! It is a good day to die! Strong hearts, brave hearts to the front! Weak hearts and cowards to the rear!" (Crazy Horse)

F. Rottles · Seaman Recruit Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 17

Me#1You#10 · Site Admin Joined: 06 May 2004 Posts: 6503

From "Belmont Club" , which seems to be emerging as a respected source for Fallujah news and analysis according to Hugh Hewitt, encouraging news.

Sgt-Keeper · Seaman Apprentice Joined: 02 Jul 2004 Posts: 96

"If my son is killed, he will die with honor, something you wouldn't understand." Then walk away.
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Fix the problem, not the blame.
USMC E5 Nam vet 65-66

msindependent · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 9:21 pm Post subject:

omg, I hear varied versions of this several times a week and I'm so sick of it. It's not even a familly member of mine that people pipe in about, but a very close friend. So, I can only imagine it's much rougher for a parent. Anyway, I just say, "it's a volunteer army now and he wants to finish his job over there. He's okay with it and so am I". (Sometimes when they catch me off guard it feels like they just hit me in the gut.) Tell your wife not to let the mental midgets get her down.

Inatizzy · Former Member Joined: 28 Sep 2004 Posts: 439

Just ask him if he's ever eaten an arm....knuckles first. Evil or Very Mad

Or maybe say "My son, when he dies, will die with honor and be remembered as a courageous warrior. You, on the other hand, will be remembered as someone dishonorable enough to mention the possibility to his mother".

MLB · Ensign Joined: 19 Oct 2004 Posts: 56 Location: Oregon

How about something like:

"If my son must die, I couldn't think of a greater honor than that he die in the service of his country. Would it be better that he die during a college prank? Or maybe a drive by shooting by gang members would suit you? How about a drug overdose? Take YOUR pick!"
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MLB

Stevie · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 10:49 pm Post subject:

FMBass · Ensign Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 51 Location: NJ

I’ve sat here for no less than 30 minutes, attempting to contain a quite anger, typing and retyping a proposed response to the statement:
"I'm sorry Bush got re-elected and now your son will go back to Iraq and be killed”

It’s a shame that your son is also fighting for that ingrate’s right to blurt out such insensitive nonsense.

Be assured that real Americans are not so pessimistic with respect to the decisions made by our President or the results of the military missions undertaken that preserve this country’s freedoms.

You can’t rationally discuss anything with a liberal. It’s best to walk away and just forget about it.

America is proud of your son, trust that he shall return safe.
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ETR-3 USS Harold E. Holt
DE 1074 (1972-1975)

teach-u · Seaman Recruit Joined: 16 Aug 2004 Posts: 14

I couldn't help but respond personally to your situation. I had a similar insident at the beginning of the war in Iraq. My husband was sitting on the edge of invasion and I was at a staff development event with other Peer Coaches and Literacy Administrators (fancy name for teachers not in the classroom anymore). I was on edge and relayed with some colleagues that I was unable to concentrated and asked for forgiveness if I seemed aloof. To which a Literacy administrator replied that she was sorry that he was a murderer. I couldn't think what she must have meant and tried to assume she meant Saddam. When I said this she said no, she meant Bush. I replied that I guess that makes my husband one of his hinchmen. I was so shocked and sickened that I could not reply further and asked her to please limit her comments to me as only on professional subjects.

I've had to see this "professional" on many more occasions and have never wanted to engage in a dialogue with her again. If I had it to do over again I think I would explain to her how hurtful and inappropriate her words were and that she should practice what we teach our students "if you can't say anything nice, keep your mouth shut."

Sometimes, there's just nothing you can say other that to explain that words have consequences and we teachers should be more aware of this.

Good luck, If you stick it to her, I'll feel like it was vindication for my situation as well.

It might be appropriate to bring this to an administrator's attention, depending on the administrator's character.
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“Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft.”
~ Teddy Roosevelt

Stevie · Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2004 1:08 am Post subject:

I sometimes want to tell these people to put a huge red X on the roof of their house - so that if we ever need our pilots to protect from the air, they'll know who to protect LAST.

OR tell them you'll be glad to pass their name and address on to the troops, so they'll know they aren't fighting for YOUR FREEDOM.

or you're welcome to renounce your citizenship and move to France, no one will stop you.
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Stevie
Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage
morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should
be arrested, exiled or hanged.