How do you say goodby?

Dave Yates (PAH)

Next stop. There's a stark reality. My nephew leaves tomorrow. Just got off the phone with him. Strained humor and attempts at joking with a constant undertone of concern. My heart and prayers go with him.

Keep yer head down pal.

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Dale Pickard

Dear Mr. Dog,

I'm not sure why you don't use your real name, but it's understandable to me why others may not. A posting of one's honest thoughts is likely to be met with an outburst of psuedo-patriotic, bombastic vitriol. Though it will likely prove unproductive to attempt to reason with anyone who goes by the name of "Mad Dog", I am compelled by due diligence to try anyway. As the children sing, "sticks and stones my break my bones but...."

My comments have been no more off topic with respect to "heating" than Dave's original post. I commiserate in some depth to his position with his nephew. I would like you to try to appreciate how much more difficult it might be for those of us who are deeply suspicious of this administration and it's motives and don't want to waste our children in a senseless war. It's not just Dave's nephew, it' about my nephew, and my neighbors children, and the Iraqi people and their children. Like it or not, I am an American as well, and I have a voice.

Dave and I have met, and corresponded, and despite the extent to which we may or may not agree, I am confident that we have each other's respect. In any event, should Dave seek to take issue with anything I have written, he can and should do that for himself. You may very well be assuming more support for your comments and behavior than you are actually realizing.

The war in Iraq and all that it portends is seriously urgent; it affects us all and requires our sincere participation, in this, our Democracy. It is American to honestly evaluate events, find your voice and speak your truth, even if your voice cracks.

I'm sorry if you don't like Mark Twain, a great American.
How about Norman Rockwell, another great American....This is entitled "Freedom of Speech" aka, "Dissent is Patriotic". I don't know or care if either Mr. Twain or Mr. Rockwell believed in God or not.

Dale