An American life is not one shred more valuable than anybody else's life

anywhere on this planet, and don't let's forget it with all the Memorial Day rhetoric. Here's the rhetoric you won't hear in this weekend's speeches:
The value of a dead American soldier, and the sadness of his/her family is no more important, no more precious, than that of a dead Iraqui. A massacre committed by Americans is not one whit more justifiable than a massacre committed by Al Quaida; torture by Americans is not one iota more justifiable than torture by any other government or culture. Civilian suffering inflicted by Americans is not one bit mor justifiable than that inflicted by a suicide bomber. Post-traumatic stress suffered by our enemies is no less painful than that which our own soldiers suffer. Environmental devastation brought on someone else's country is not ok. It is intolerable. That country is part of the planet on which we all precariously exist. Our veterans are no more and no less honorable than any other humans (though of course there are individual heroes.) And while on the subject of death, let's mention that execution by lethal injection is no better than beheading or stoning. The really dishonorable thing is acceptance of war, tolerance for violence, callousness toward suffering. All are on the increase in this blessed country of ours.

Need a plane ticket? PM me.

of someone intimating that perhaps all life is equal?

into a C-130, I do feel some solemnity and respect for our fallen soldiers on Memorial Day. My friend's death from being shot was more tragic to than the death of the guy who shot him.

Equate the life our the killers of our soldiers if you want. I will never see it that way. If at the end of a day of fighting the body count is in our favor, to me, that is a good thing.

Here's an idea. Maybe some of our Democratic candidates should campaign with mourning the deaths of insurgents and equating their lives with the lives of American troops. That should win us a majority.

I thank you for your service as well. May you heal soon.

Is his life worth less that your friend?

As far as your "body count" comment...that is just sick!!!

... Everyone should be raised to value human life equaly... Why then do so few possess this knowledge?

I don't think there's anything dishonorable in participating in or appreciating all that Memorial Day "rhetoric." If people are going to come to better grips with the ideas you've put forth, we shouldn't discount the ideas and reasons behind Memorial Day.

...their friends and comrades they saw splattered across foreign soil. Maybe you should frame your argument differently, like "all war must end" or "all life matters."

If it puts people on the defensive, they may miss the message.

“What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy.” - Gandhi

Hooah!

Prancing around in a uniform is sooo....manly.

Jesse MacBeth did not impress anyone.

Both Ghandis and Rangers have had their uses.

It is a big picture truth that my brother's life is not more valuable than the life of anyone else on the planet, but from my perspective, it is blatantly false. People I love matter more to me than other people, as do people I know and care about. In that sense, I am probably like everyone else on earth who is not a soul-less SOB. In some sense nationalism strives to extend the boundaries of "people I care about" to include everyone in this nation, and, in fact, many people in this nation are distant relatives of mine. Of course, in 2001 I visited a village in Deutschland and saw monuments to the fallen local soldiers of WWI and WWII. Going by the surnames on those monuments, I feel certain that almost all of them are relatives of my mom, and going back maybe 8,000 years in my ancestry, perhaps I would also have very distant relatives in China and Russia and Botswana, but logically, the more distant it is, the less I care, except abstractly.

But our fellow Americans include all of my loved ones, neighbors, childhood friends and a chain of their loved ones, etc, and the soldiers, at least in theory are those who are risking their lives, their health, or, sometimes, giving their last full measure in order to protect those family and friends. (although historically, the only war when that was true was WWII, none of the other wars really involved defense, but intellectually I support the American revolution and the North's Civil War as did my ancestors and relatives. The Korean war, apart from the Cold war purpose, also kept some 50+ millions of South Koreans from living under Kim Jong Il which seems like a good and noble thing, and Vietnam was supposed to be similar, and so on). Anyway, I see nothing wrong with encouraging and honoring such a sentiment even if I wish it wasn't quite so jingoistic or militaristic and I wish Nov. 11th was still called Armistice Day and about honoring Peace. :patriot: And I certainly shudder :scared: and seethe :argh: when the current administration tries to glom onto this sentiment and use it to justify their current wars or promote their future war with Iran et. al.

fallen. All people, not just soldiers, there are sacrifices made by many from the countries first founders on down who died for this country.

My Grandfather was wounded in WWII, he was a medic, he is now dead and I will remember him on this day, I have his WWII medic kit he carried when he saved lives, and sat with men whose lives they lost.. I will remember them.

I will remember all soldiers who have fallen and those fallen on 9-11, I will light a candle for them.

I will remember my Son who fights in Iraq, and I will hope and pray that he does not become a memory in my life, that I will become his memory instead...


So you see, there are many things that cause us to give pause and remember this Memorial Day...

My grandfather was a WWII vet, too. He enlisted at the age of 30.

Most importantly, wishing your son safety. :hug:

Here's a memorial thread I started and, sadly, have been updating: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1276639

Iraqis care more about Iraqis, Brits care more about Brits, and we care more about Americans.