tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141981908768031036.post9204869563335908257..comments2023-12-19T23:32:30.695-05:00Comments on Below the Gnat Line: JFK is A-OK, But Nix Osama's Pics?Ken Carrollhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04942720211291749961noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141981908768031036.post-19216340741493975802011-05-08T20:10:39.882-04:002011-05-08T20:10:39.882-04:00Diamond Mair,
Thank you for your commentary. No s...Diamond Mair,<br /><br />Thank you for your commentary. No slight was intended toward the Marines, but in this instance I was right to not capitalize it.<br /><br />I used "marine" in the same way I used "soldier" and "sailor" as an occupation and not as a member of an organization. My father is still a Marine at 77 and I could not possibly have more respect for a group of people.<br /><br />I hope that helps explains my decision. Even if you disagree with my grammatical choices, please understand there was no malice intended.<br /><br />And thank you for serving our country.Ken Carrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04942720211291749961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141981908768031036.post-38212273516428996822011-05-08T19:59:12.032-04:002011-05-08T19:59:12.032-04:00Hi Keith,
Thank you for the thoughtful commentary...Hi Keith,<br /><br />Thank you for the thoughtful commentary. I agree with everything you said.<br /><br />I don't advocate releasing the pictures, but my concern is the rationale given. It appears we are yielding to the false hope that not releasing the pictures will somehow mollify our enemies. It won't.<br /><br />I would have been happy with the non-release if we had been honest and said, "We are not going to release the photographs of a deceased Osama bin Laden because we are Americans. We will not stoop to the level of those who oppose us and oppose all we believe in, including the dignity and importance of human life."<br /><br />Take care.Ken Carrollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04942720211291749961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141981908768031036.post-82099131387291246372011-05-07T09:22:25.005-04:002011-05-07T09:22:25.005-04:00The people we are at war with, if they had killed ...The people we are at war with, if they had killed our leader, would have cut his head off and put it on a pole for all to see. Then they would have dragged his body through the streets in celebration. <br /><br />We're not like that. We are civilized human beings who honor even our enemy's dead. During the civil war, after a battle it was not unusual to have a cease fire so the soldiers from both sides could collect their dead and wounded. <br /><br />Add to this that the black helicopter conspiracy nut cases who believe OBL isn't dead wouldn't believe a photograph either. Maybe since Al-Qaeda has admitted that we killed him, the nut cases will believe them. <br /><br />That Weird Uncle (www.TheNosePinZone.com)Larryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07977883588154044561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141981908768031036.post-87329613246244373742011-05-05T21:29:37.850-04:002011-05-05T21:29:37.850-04:00Hi Ken,
You and I do not understand this issue in ...Hi Ken,<br />You and I do not understand this issue in the same way. I believe that it would be wrong to show pictures of Osama’s body or video footage of the killing. On this the President has chosen wisely. I stand with him.<br /><br />In response to the earlier response fro Mr. Mair, I would suggest that Saddam’s own people judged him and found him guilty. The punishment he endured was at the hands of his people and not from the Marine Corps or any US Navy Seal team. Isn’t it too bad that Bin Laden was able to remain in seclusion so long? Too bad someone in Pakistan did not rat him out.<br /><br />America has become far too violent. That violence extends beyond the bounds of the battlefield. The rhetoric I hear from both sides of the political fence makes me wonder at the intent that is in the heart of those who claim to be on America’s side or God’s side. Violence in any form is unable to create or sustain lasting relationships—at home or abroad. Strong words hurt more than they heal. At the end of the day, what kind of world are we trying to create?<br /><br />I would hope that the majority of Americans are able to place themselves beyond the thrill of gawking at cheap pictures. The America my mother and father raised me in is one where respect extends to all humanity. I learned respect for my neighbors who were like me, and my neighbors who were different; in Dodge County there were both.<br /><br />The faith my parents instilled in me caused me to respect others as well. Somewhere along the line I actually started believing what those old ladies in Sunday school taught. “Red and yellow they are precious in his sight.” There were also those radical statements from that New Testament itinerate preacher who said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who…” You probably can recite the rest.<br /><br />I guess my belief is that neither a Christian response nor a proper American response to the killing of Bin Laden would demand that pictures be released. Why do we need more fuel for the hatred, which already exists? Please reconsider your position. Think deeply about the consequences rather than doing or saying that which is politically expedient.<br /><br />Peace,<br />Keith VaughnKeith Vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10046385703795795993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141981908768031036.post-22152086898563190452011-05-05T09:32:04.348-04:002011-05-05T09:32:04.348-04:00Agreed - SOME photos are making the rounds of the ...Agreed - SOME photos are making the rounds of the 'Net, but without provenance - there was very little uproar I recall, when photos were circulated of Saddam Hussein's hanging.<br /><br />Also, as a former Marine, might I ask that, in future, you capitalize "Marines"? ;-)<br /><br />Semper Fi'<br />DMDiamond Mairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15673366797250424810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3141981908768031036.post-62385223350612891932011-05-05T07:01:30.142-04:002011-05-05T07:01:30.142-04:00Sheik bin Laden died many years ago.Sheik bin Laden died many years ago.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com