Online response to the death of Pte K Blais

[buddy]

Would seem to sum up all my feelings

.."The idea that 117 men and women have died for Shiria law disgusts me.

But I don't think that's what they did. What if, in their deaths (which I believe to be honourable) we get Osama? We bring a measure of stability to Afghanistan? Or just saved the life of a mate.

I don't pretend that that country will enter the 21st C in the next year, by 2011, (or even enter the 17thC any time soon!). But I do hope that some measure of civility will come there. I have to be honest and admit that we may pull out, and the country remains a crap hole. That's likely what will happen. That 117 lives may have been lost.

But I think, too not even try would be worse. To surrender women and kids to the horror of the Taliban; to turn a blind eye and say "not my concern", to give up; THAT would dishonour Tpr Blais memory, and the memory of Cpt Goddard, and their mates.

Honour doesn't come from the potential ultimate futility of the act, but also from the spirit in which something is done. These men and women have died honourably, and should be remembered as such. Let history judge the worth of the effort. I know you feel the effort to be not worth it. Fair enough. Patriotism doesn't come from "my country right or wrong".

But this November, stop to think that maybe these young women (and men) felt their mission was worth it. Pity them as you feel, if you disagree with that spirit, but don't question their honour, courage, or their love of country.

And that is what we remember."

[ranrad]

Very nice write up Buddy.. thank you, and may we all remember that the main goal of this war is to rid the world of a place for terrorists to train and work from, terrorists who seemingly are willing to end their lives just to show the rest of the world that their way is right. It will never be right for people to cause terror and kill innocent people, in this case, even their own countrymen, in cowardly horrible ways..the rest, the basic human rights only falls into place as part  of the fight against terrorism.. no, all of these men and women died in very honourable service, towards this goal, a goal precribed to by the majority of peoples of our earth.. that will NEVER change.. the bad guys are trying everything to destabalize everything... we cannot weaken now..we must now go on until the good people of this country , and others , can take over their own security.. listen to some of thewords of women in Afghanistan.." this is our land , our people , not yours".. speaking to the Taliban...no, we as decent people will prevail in the end , and we must persevere now to get to that end.. all these soldiers, and civilians have not given their lives in vain.. it is for a future , for them and the world..ranrad