Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?

The fact that you went to the trouble of typing out that errr.. screed says far more about you than it ever could about the one you were writing it to.

Do your parents know you are using their computer?

I applaud efforts to make the human toll of the war known to the public. I don't believe it is unpatriotic for anyone, whether he's a draft dodger, peace marcher, or an upper-crust blowhard whose children will never shoot semi-automatics, to critique bad policy. My major critique of this memorial is that the site uses crosses exclusively to mark the dead. Many Jews have died in Iraq, as this small example demonstrates:

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/0604/jewish_servicemen.php3.

I did read a bit about a Magen David making its way onto a cross, but that's still a anethema. Jews serving in Iraq are in even more danger than their non-Jewish cohorts. If the insurgents wanted to target an American soldier for death, the Jewish soldier makes the top of the list. Consequently, many Jewish soldiers are flying under the radar, serving their country while submerging their religious conscience. The memorial should reflect that Jewish contribution, thereby showing that a multitude of Americans from different faiths are fighting and do so without trying to cannonize their efforts on the back of a cross.

What I believe is far more insidious than the deaths are the injured. The sheer number of maimed Americans (15,000+), some without legs or arms, some with severe brain damage, comes with a hidden and incalculable price tag. These people have to soldier on, even after the war ends. Because of their injuries, they will, in a sense, never leave the battlefield; they will wear the war on their sleeves forever. We don't have adequate facilities for these people, we don't provide adequate support for their caregivers or their familes, we have cut veteran's benefits under Bush time and time again, and we don't even acknowledge the psychological impact of the conflict as a source of legitimate illness.

This may be a powerful way to protest the war, but a far greater challenge is how we take care of those who come back, whether they return in body bags or wheel chairs.

Yes, it is a red state. But Louisville is a liberal city and a wonderful oasis that way, with educated informed people.

Also: Locutus, will you marry me?

May they rest and find peace. . I find it difficult to understand why it is a bone of contention to honor the men and women killed in Iraq. They have been sent in our name to act upon the orders of their Commander in Chief. When they are killed we act like we are ashamed of them. Why? Why do we have to hide their deaths? Who are we hiding it from?

You're talking to yourself again Stewie.

Dear Locutus,

You need to develop some emotional maturity. The vast majority of people on the left, right, and middle are sick of loudmouths.

Trash talkers are a dime a dozen and don't accomplish much if anything. There are plenty on DKos, FreeRepublic, and a bunch of online equivalents to barf bags. Aside from spewing anger and gratuitously masturbating each other's self righteous angst, they accomplish nothing at all.

Check Camp Casey III in Crawford, Texas, alongside the Lone Star Highway.

There you will find a Memorial to those Iraqi, Infants, Children and Women of who you write. Their SHOES are there for you to see.

And when you do go, look to the Heavens above, raise your hands and ask WHY, and take a deep breath.

That Memorial dedicated by Code Pink will awaken you to the horror of what we have done.

I sent a Picture Post Card of that Memorial to Mrs. Laura Bush, of the western white house on her last Birthday, and have often wondered if she had the courage to go there to see for herself; those SHOES. And if she did, I wonder of her answer to herself.

When I left there last September there were 2,649 Crosses. Colonel Ann Wright oversaw their removal and storage as we closed the Camp.

I'm really surprised that at least 2 people in Kentucky read Salon.

Kentucky people would never stand for a display of dead soldier crosses--there are 2 big military bases here (Ft Knox and Ft Campbell)and a very pro-Bush, pro-war attitude. Not to mention the "America is always right--no matter what!" mentality.

Would you really want an 18 year old boy who's getting ready to be shipped to Iraq to have a visual image of where he might end up---as a cross in a field?

I would love for someone in Kentucky to get a backbone and have a display like this.

The dead are a reminder to the living of what we have foresaken.

No exaggeration here, merely a quest for truth, honor and justice. Not for a Gov. Bush CAP in Huntsville.

Then again, those Connecticut Yankees make excellent Confederates especially, when they are 'Carpet Bagging'!

no exaggeration merely a quest for truth and justice and an end to this GWB "Crusade".

Look how the TRIBES on this Continent were managed, long before Smart Bombs and the loss of common sense.

PEACE

sub sole sub umbra virens

Yes, it is true that most of the community has embraced the memorial. As the bumper sticker on our car says: "Honor the Warrior, Not the War."

Nevertheless, the hillside of crosses has also created controversy and provoked angry reactions. Why are some people angry? If you are a parent of a soldier in Iraq, you're anger is likely fear masquerading as anger. I understand that. If you think the memorial should honor others including the Iraqi dead, I understand that. If you think the memorial should be fancier, that makes sense to me as well. But what of those who are angry because they see the memorial as a protest in disguise. Of course, it is a protest. Anyone can disagree. But anger? I don't get it.

If you are interested in more thoughts and photos about the Crosses of Lafayette, go here: http://beclear.blogspot.com/

And for video coverage, go here:

http://lafayettecrosses.blogspot.com/