I have read the stautes barring action aginst the United States

government - I read them.

If my kid dies now - I am fully read on the matter.

The day my boy dies - I will sue the United States - and I will win.

Maybe he doesn't live thru this - maybe - but if he does not live - all my learning and all my parents GI bill money will be put to the test.

They have to give us "blood money" when they die.

Well, I know what blood money means.

I am a pretty decent christian - and I can tell you what to do with blood money -
But that would not be so christian.

It is about what you do to the "least of my brother.."

And if you don't get that - I think the 9th circuit will.


God help me - I think that day is close now.

Joe

And I hope things work out well for you. Can't imagine what you are going through, but can understand the concept of pain/worry/sadness/depression as I too have felt those things.

Never fun.

The things I feel are more probablility related - you know??

How many times can you survive a bad thing - 2-3-4- what is that number for real??

I don't know - but I know desperation - it is in the voice. I have heard that before.

If my kid does die, now - well, I figure my family has blood on every battlefield from Guadalcanal to the collapse of Berlin - and we do. We do have a saint in the family - as it happens!!!

The day that kid dies - I will proceed on every possible level. I am fairly educated on such matters - I will use every thing I can to bring about a peace.

He is not going to walk away - he knows that too. He knows.

I do not want my wife to ever know that - not ever!!!

Joe

Come here and let it all out - this is a wonderful place to vent.

And we need to get things out of heads and into print sometimes, helps me a lot.

DU is group therapy, and with what we have all been through in life, adding to that bush and crew, it is no wonder we all reach out so often to one another to vent/cry/etc.

I got a thread I am thinking of posting tonight, a follow up to one last year on my wife's health.

Not for pity's sake or to hear folks' replies so much (replies are always nice, good to have people to talk back and forth to) but mainly to get my thoughts out of my system and face them in print.

I'll kick back to again later :)

But man, I know what death sounds like. Been there.

You know my earliest memory in life is that of going to a "fellow" squadron members funeral - you know that - I have never said that before publicly. Dad was something back then, in the war.

I always thought - who the hell are you Mr Mccain - I knew the best pilots the country ever produced - and you wouldn't last long against those guys - they were great.. Say something bad about FDR,an even shorter life span.

Ranting a little, huh?? Look, he knows the deal - my kid, he is a good little soilder boy -

If you have a good thought -PLEASE post it -

To me - I know what I heard, I have heard it before.

good candidate for a blog, or poetry, even a book.

Many people have things to say, but some people have a passion to say them with a wealth of life experience to back em up.

Rant away - and good thoughts your way.

I had 3 boys from previous marriage. I divorced, and did not see them for 8 years. Used to have nightmares they were dead. Didn't even know where she and the boys were. Until she died and the oldest one contacted me. Lived with me for a spell too.

Turned out he ended up just like his mom and step dad (a coke head) and we parted ways.

I spent years in pain,worry, suffering, and when I finally think it is over - it gets all fucked up.

I probably won't ever see the three of em again. When I left they were sweet and well behaved, many people noticed that about them. They were honestly wonderful kids. They were told lies about me, which they know now to be lies that I gave em the facts, but it ruined them as did living with the people they did.

Pain sucks, mental pain sucks more.

I am a good little christian boy - and that is not cool.

Joe

if his boy dies in this war.

I do not care about the money at all. My boy dies and it goes - that simple.

Most of us think so -

Joe

I just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you and praying
for your and for your son.

I haven't been in your situation, but I understand hollow pain--and how
emotional and traumatic it can be. I am also a mother, and I know that
he must be on your mind, all of the time. I am so sorry that you are in pain.

When will your son return from Iraq? How is he doing?

I'll say extra prayers that your son is kept safe.

This isn't fair. It's not right. However, there are many
here on DU who understand that to the core and we are here
for you--anytime.

We were "emailed" by rear command that the kids would not be left to call us on christmas -

I am not a big easter fan - christmas ia big deal to me.

He did call us on christmas though.

He said - that they had a "problem" some days before - You know what problem means?? - It means they got blown up - that is what it means. He sounded like my dad.

Kid got shot up, mortared, ambused and blown up.

That is what a problem means.

He knew better than to say that so clearly to my wife.

Thank god.

Joe

We have someone in the family that is over there. His last visit home only lasted three weeks. I think of him and I think how bush wants to up the conflict and also drag others into it, just about every day. But don't over think my friend. Just know I'm in your and yours corner.

You know - I was looking at the plots at the VA cemetary as to which was a good one and which wasn't.
Really. I have no good feeling about this escapade at all.

The sickest thing - it was instinctive.

Just a parent thing - shit, I make myself want to cry.

Joe

I just don't know what to say. Strength to you and your son, Joe.

It is ok - sometimes there isn't anything you can do.

I thank you for trying.

Joe