what is important to americans today?

[Planning]

i got this from a friend of mine, actually it is from my uncle who is retired air force CMS. he was in OSI and a drill instruction, but that is a whole different story.

With no disrespect intended to the Jackson family, this surely does reveal the shallowness of our value system in this country.

While the focus today, tomorrow and for the next God-knows-how-many-days will be the death of a pop culture icon; while many will mourn, wail and quite literally make fools of themselves over it and while as many will speak endlessly about it, allow me, if only for a moment, to remind us all that others have died this month; others whose lives were cut short; others who leave behind loved ones and whose families will dearly miss them; families who'll suffer with much more dignity and honor than we'll be exposed to on the tube in the coming days.

Yes... it's true... we've suffered a great loss... but forgive me while I tell you that I'm not talking about the king of pop music.


These American military members died in Iraq this month:

Sergeant Justin J. Duffy
Specialist Christopher M. Kurth
Specialist Charles D. Parrish
Lance Corporal Robert D. Ulmer
Staff Sergeant Edmond L. Lo
Sergeant Joshua W. Soto
Captain Kafele H. Sims
Specialist Chancellor A. Keesling

And these members of our U.S. Armed Forces died in Afghanistan this month:

Sergeant Jones, Ricky D.
Specialist Munguia Rivas, Rodrigo A.
Command Master Chief Petty Officer Garber, Jeffrey J.
1st Sergeant Blair, John D.
Sergeant Smith, Paul G.
Staff Sergeant Melton, Joshua
Sergeant 1st Class Dupont, Kevin A.
Specialist O'Neill, Jonathan C.
Chief Warrant Officer Richardson Jr., Ricky L.
Specialist Silva, Eduardo S.
Lance Corporal Whittle, Joshua R.
Major Barnes, Rocco M.
Major Jenrette, Kevin M.
Staff Sergeant Beale, John C.
Specialist Jordan, Jeffrey W.
Specialist Griemel, Jarrett P.
Specialist Hernandez I, Roberto A.
Sergeant Obakrairur, Jasper K.
Staff Sergeant Hall, Jeffrey A.
Private 1st Class Ogden, Matthew D.
Private 1st Class Wilson, Matthew W.

Let's remember and honor this day those whose deaths are truly impacting.

thanks
ron

[k98k792]

Great post planning! That truly puts things in the proper perspective.

[Noskov]

I saw a segment on the subject over on FOX News. Several of our servicemen were killed in action but nothing was reported about them due to Michael Jackson's death. Might have also noticed how the coverage of the Iran protests seem to have been brushed aside for his funeral.

I hate to politicize it but once again it seems like any negative news is covered up if it has any correlation to Obama. He's the President now and Afghanistan and Iraq are his responsibilities, not Bush's yet almost every soldier death was covered when W. was in office, like the media was trying to use it against him. Just my thought.

While I don't mean to diminish the recent deaths of our soldiers but I have to admit some sense of awe about Micheal Jackson's death. I'm by no means a fan of his but seeing how the whole world, in almost every country, people gathered together in unity, a moment of peace almost. You almost wish the world was that united everyday. Our soldiers are fighting and dying to protect our freedoms in a hope someday peace will come. Its a shame yet ironic that it did take a death to unite the world together but it wasn't the death of any number of soliders but that of a pop icon.

[7.62guy]

great post. least we forget.:nonono: :America:

[kodiak]

Great post Planning! What sacrifices did the "King of Pop" make for his nation? NONE! The media should honor those that died in action for our country. Not those that died from possible drug abuse. I'm amazed that FOX News even jumped on the "Jackson" band wagon to an extent. I guess it all boils down to ratings and the almighty dollar. What a shame.

[jbruney]

Such a shame that the media doesn't cover the important ones....Those guys deserved better.

[Norton]

Capt Ron

I couldn't help but notice the names seemed to be a cross section of the American population..

These pukes go see a pre-vert get put in the ground and the press says so ans so showed up in a Rolls Royce.. so and so showed up in a Porche so and so showed up in a strech limo..

Meanwhile these men and women still stand in the sun, climb mountains with full rucks.. get their arms and legs blown off.. Eat MREs, sleep on the ground and dress blisters on their feet

Tom Cruise and George Clooney get their hands and fingernails done by some Korean girl, discuss tax shelters and what hair spray works the best.

I can't stand Holywood pukes..

Put a ruck sack on them and let them take a walk in the sun ..

Oh wait they have done that in a movie or tv

Rant done for tonight
.

[19Charlie_84]

Begin rant...

Last monday as we gathered for squadron run, the 1SG asked the troop, "Does anyone know who died last week?" Naturally everyone said MJ, Farrah, Ed McWhatever. He said, "I DONT GIVE A FUK ABOUT THOSE PUSSIES!!!! MARINE PRIVATE ________ DIED IN THE HOSPITAL FROM WOUNDS RECIEVED IN COMBAT. HE WAS MY BROTHER. NOT ANY OF THOSE OTHER LOOSERS. WHAT HAVE THEY DONE FOR YOU???"

I couldnt hear the name from the back of formation, but the message was fairly clear. Has everyone forgotten about the whole "sex with little boys" issue with MJ a few years back? Shouldnt he have to register a sex offender and knock on everyones' door and say hes a petterass? I too, believe it or not, am disgusted with the amount of coverage celebrities get for brushing thier teeth while driving or buying a milkshake.

Someone else mentioned it, YES the media talked up every servicemember's death during George W's term and hushes it during BO's.

Hershel Walker (the football player) is coming to visit our squadron next week for a speech to the Troopers then doing PT with our Troop one morning. We will probably run in ACU's, boots, and carry him on a litter cross country for 5 miles or so. It will be fun.

[Noskov]

Someone else mentioned it, YES the media talked up every servicemember's death during George W's term and hushes it during BO's.


Its sad really, under BO's our fallen soldiers are a forgetten or hidden statistic but under W's they were used as a political tool. I'm not sure whats worse; there should be dignity, respect and proper tribute paid to those who have given their lives for our country.

[Norton]

Begin rant...



Someone else mentioned it, YES the media talked up every servicemember's death during George W's term and hushes it during BO's.

.

Wheres those end the war signs and bumpers stickers NOW?..

There all removed or pulled off and if you ask em..

What war? it's over pal we won the election.. What war?

You know I don't hear that from the Blue Collar Democrats..(I'm GOP)
Why Because their sons, daughters, nehphews, cousins are humping rucks..
Cleaning M16s, Changing tracks.. peering in radar scopes, throwing up over the side of some ship at sea.. They know..

But for the hollywood crowd life is good.. It's always good.

[Bad Monkey]

Good post Planning I'm with y'all. Seems Iraq and Afghanistan are in the back seat. No coverage on Cap and Trade or other IMPORTANT issues, but all hell if anyone isn't covering MJ memorial. Its really saddening whats important these days to the media. I'd rather see a memorial of that size for, I don't know maybe, Memorial Day to remember those who gave their all for our country.