Opinion
YOUR TURN: A father faces a tough question
Top Headlines At a recent hearing, Republican Sen. John Warner of Virginia asked Gen. David Petraeus, the commanding general of Multi-National Force-Iraq, "Does the Iraq war make America safer?" The general's answer was "I don't know, actually." New York Times columnist David Brooks recently asked Defense Secretary Robert Gates if the Iraq war was worth it. Gates' response was, "If I'd known then what I know now, would I have done the same? I think the answer is, 'I don't know.'" The hard truth is that I cannot explain to my daughter what the noble and just cause is that our troops are fighting and dying for in Iraq. As hard as it is for me to answer her question, I cannot fathom how those tens of thousands of families are answering similar questions of loved ones who have been directly affected by the tragedies of this war. What does one say to a parent whose son or daughter came home from this war missing an arm or a leg? What does one say to family members of a returning veteran who has significant emotional concerns? What does one say to a little girl or boy who lost a parent to the war? As a parent I will be sure that my three children know that we will honor all those who have served and fallen in this tragic war. When the commanding general in Iraq cannot determine that the Iraq war is making America safer and the Secretary of Defense doesn't know if the war is worth fighting, it is clear that President Bush owes an explanation to those families who made the ultimate sacrifice as to why their loss was worth the cost. BRIAN GEOGHEGAN lives in North Attleboro.
Post Your Comments Realist wrote on Sep 28, 2007 2:02 PM: " This is the latest page from the Democrats/MoveOn play book. Ask "How am I supposed to explain foreign policy to my child?" Katie Couric tried this stunt with Sec State Rice. Couric quotes her ten year old daughter regarding the US leading the world with "Who made us the boss of them".
Just tell her that soldiers and Marines are fighting to protect the good people in this world from bad people who want to hurt them. Protecting as they have through out the history of this country. Yes, sometimes they get hurt and even die. It's very sad and she may feel bad about it. Suggest that before she goes to bed at night she should pray for all of America's service men and women who will protect her as well as the hundreds of thousands of fireman, cops and EMS personnel that are doing the same thing domestically. That way she can feel that there is something she can do to help them.
" kevin wrote on Sep 27, 2007 8:50 AM: " She's an 8 year old girl, and you can't tell her simply that our soldiers defend our freedom and keep us safe? You want to have an in-depth discussion about global politics with and 8 year old??? Sounds like Jimmy Carter talking nuclear policy with Amy. What kind of parent would tell the truth and worry a child? Why not tell her about Santa, the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy? I think you are just mentioning her as a ruse to write in and bash the country. " Paul Couturier wrote on Sep 27, 2007 7:18 AM: " Hey brian, I have an idea. Send your daughter my way; I've actually been to Iraq! I'll give her the straight answers she's looking for, not the politically correct anti-military crap you tell her! " or
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