Lost son in Iraq

[Warmom]

My son was a soldier in Iraq, and died about six months ago. But I'm not posting to get sympathy. I'm posting because people are not talking about what needs to be talked about.
I always raised my boys with a profound respect for our country and a deep sense of duty. My oldes enlisted not long after 9/11, and was sent to Iraq when the war started there. I of course supported my son and the war. This is not an easy thing to do in southern California, where I live. But I did it out of respect for my sons comitment.
Unfortunately, some did not feel this same sense of duty for our men and women in the service. The government of President Bush, for whom I voted in 2000, decided to award no-bid contracts to Vice-President Cheney's old company, Haliburton. This means that it was an automatic deal, no other companies were given a chance. I accepted this as a fact of life, until my son died.
He didn't die in combat, or from terrorist attacks. He died in a hospital, choking on oil fumes that filled the air where he was stationed. It was Haliburton's job to clean up the oil fires in that area.
We require bids from millitary contractors because it allows us to find the best people for the job. But, this time, we went with Cheney's old company, and now my son is dead. A competitive process would have allowed other companies a chance, and competition increases productivity.
This time around I will vote a straight Republican ticket, as I did last time. Until I get to George W. Bush's name. Then I will vote for Kerry. Hopefully, that vote will save one of your sons.

[MO]

Very sorry about your son.

Haliburton was already there! They were still there from golf war 1.
There is no other company large and efficient enough to have gotten there and done the job any faster. Your anger is misplaced.

[BOLO]

You are not the only one to lose a loved one.
Your anger is understandable. It is an emotion, and no amount of common sense will alleviate it.
Vote Kerry. That will make you feel better. (?)
Experience tells me no. Kerry is not a good man, his actions in the past are more than questionable, they are reprehensible. He brought shame to a large number of Veterans, their families, and to all those whose name decorates the "Wall" in Washington D.C. with lies. He committed atrocities and lied about it.
Your anger is deep, and running hot. The truth is not what you are interested in. Do as you will. Kerry will not win. To your son: Attention! Hand Salute. Two.
RIP.
Thank you for your service. Your country is gratefull.

[lordjulius7]

Sorry, but I call bullsh*t on this one. Doesn't ring true for one second.

[BOLO]

Sorry, but I call bullsh*t on this one. Doesn't ring true for one second.

Maybe. No harm done if it is untrue. Wannabe's exist in every stream of live. Even those seeking sympathy by any means, and those who pretend to have loved ones lost in the War. I can't tell you how many Wannabe Viet Nam Vets we have exposed, and how many "Moms and Dads" who have shown up claiming Loved ones lost in Nam. You could be right. I have not seen a response from her, so who knows? Malum in se?

[scummybear]

Of course I would sympathize with anyone who lost a loved one in any war, however, something about this story just doesn't add up. While it's conceivable that someone could die from asphyxiation, to lay the ultimate blame on the president sounds very familiar. Misplaced anger? Maybe.

[TNRighty]

Bill Clinton awarded no-bid contracts, but he gets a free pass from the media for the same issues Bush gets hammered for

[BOLO]

On the one hand your right.

He died in a hospital, choking on oil fumes that filled the air where he was stationed.

This would apply more to the first Gulf War, not this one.
Halliburton was given many responsibilities. Doing the impossible was not one of them.
She doesn't say what service. I did some checking. No one can come up with a "Dirty Battlefield or Area" such as she describes. There were, and are, few fires from oil rigs or pipelines. Of those that did occur most were contained the same day, few made it past two days. So all things considered I agree. Bull Patootie.