Her son 'may have died in vain'

The Newark Star-Fudger ^ | Karen Ayres

[Sloth]

I'm not inclined to cut them any slack just because they're grieving -- lots of other parents and wives manage to grieve without acting like jerks.

[Dave S]

Anyone know what training is given to soldiers going into situtations like Iraq. I thought all soldiers or at least all infantry received training in minds and other ordinance. What's the truth?

[twigs]

I too feel greatly for this family's loss and am very grateful for their son's service to our country. But I heard this woman on the local news the other night and I got so angry that I was as tempted as I've ever been to write her a letter. Fortunately, I cooled down. I understand she must be in great grief, but she's the most bitter of the loved ones I've heard yet who has died. Yes, I have to think that her son who did give his life to his country would not be as proud of his family as he was of his country.

[Britton J Wingfield]

Since you waged this unnecessary war on Saddam Hussein the world has become a horrible place to live in.

Uh, right.

[steplock]

Army 2nd Lt. Seth Dvorin "ordered to defuse a bomb?

I hardly think so. second "leweys" are not ordered to defuse bombs - he may have tried to do it on his own...

This lady is misinformed and wants to blame any republican for her son turning against her and other leftist friends. She cannot understand HONOR - INTEGRITY - COURAGE.

So instead of properly honoring her son, she dishonors him with her tirades.

[MonroeDNA]

He signed up, like the rest of us did.

It was his choice, not hers.

She should respect her son's decision, and his sacrifice.

[Tallguy]

These parents are clearly conflicted: on one hand they accuse the president of acting dishonorably, and in the very next sentence, they ask for his prayers for their son. I say we cut them some slack.

[Gritty]

They are grieving, so maybe they should be given a little slack, but only for their grief, not their demands or conclusions.

Now, President Bush, his life has been snuffed out in a meaningless war... Where are all the weapons of mass destruction... get our boys and girls out of Iraq now, before too much more blood is shed... Since you waged this unnecessary war on Saddam Hussein the world has become a horrible place to live in.

My guess is, their dead son would be terribly mortified by their behavior (I know I would be if I were him) and probably feel his sacrifice is cheapened by their anti-war attitude and ignorantly written letter on the occaision of his death.

He came from obviously poor parental stock, but apparently overcame it. His numbskull parents should know better than to sanctimoneously traffic on his death for their own political purposes. They should, but obviously don't.

I predict they will share the stage with Kerry someday, and tell their story again, just like the Special Forces guy who fell overboard. There will be much weeping and handwringing, blaming that war-monger Bush for "all this"!

[OldFriend]

And the comment about the vengeful war?

[NYCVirago]

Since you waged this unnecessary war on Saddam Hussein the world has become a horrible place to live in.

Hey lady, tell that to the millions of Iraqis liberated thanks to this so-called "unnecessary war."

[norton]

"The parents are grieving, cut them a little slack. It sounds like she just wants to know if her son was ordered to clear a minefield (something he's not trained to do) or did it on his own."

First, 'she' is 'he'. Second, all points after "Dear..." indicate a politicized, quite unemotional, and almost Chandra Levyish effort to use what SHOULD BE a heart wrenching moment to make political and personal points.

Note also that 2nd Lieutenants are not expert at anything, certainly not bomb disposal. Note as well that ordering such a hershey-bar newbie to clip the red wire (no, the blue wire..) would be criminal AND stupid. Ergo, despite some popular opinions of the military, not likely.

New & near new officers DO however make dumb decisions (from personal recollection) and that could be the basis for this death, just as it is entirely possible (likely?) that the entire story is being mis-interpreted or even mis-represented intentionally.

I'll go with posts number 9 and 12 based on the way my family reacted when told I'd been killed back in 69 only to learn that a bunch of peace loving locals had decided to harrass the home front.

Finally, note, from the original article:
"For (ex Mrs.) Niederer, who never supported the war in the first place, the questions left by her son's death only compound her grief....
"I felt it was worthless, him being there...
"It's Vietnam all over again...
Niederer...personally blames President Bush for her son's death.
"This was revenge for Bush. It was a personal vendetta. We don't have to be the keeper of the world."

And;
"The Army's public affairs office said Dvorin would never have been ordered to dismantle a bomb if he was not trained to do so." (Duh!)

[M0sby]

I got the same speach from my husband before he deployed.

Thank God you both made it back!

Thanks for your service.