What is the significance of the death toll of U.S. soldiers in Iraq reaching 1,000? / LJWorld.com

Asked at Candlelight vigil on Massachusetts Street on September 9, 2004

“I think that every person who dies is a tragedy. It seems to be a number that grabs people’s attention. Unfortunately, they’ve stopped counting the number of Iraqi deaths.”

— Kate Maher, Kansas University senior, Lawrence

“We are here to honor the dead, but we also want to awaken people’s understanding of what a disaster war is”

— Joe Douglas, psychiatrist, Lawrence

“It’s not just 1,000 soldiers. It’s also over 13,000 Iraqi civilians who have died. I want to know why they had to die.”

— Janette Michaels, high school teacher, Lawrence

“It’s 1,000 too many soldiers who have died. Bush lied, and these soldiers unnecessarily died.”

— Lauretta H. Backus, high school teacher, Lawrence

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italianprincess 9 years, 7 months ago

Awwwwwwww, I'm a favorite post person to Hi_Jinks. How sweet of you to say that, you just made the rest of my evening and started my weekend. Thanks again

italianprincess 9 years, 7 months ago

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you Nice Girl, Happy Birthday to you.

I hope your day was filled with all the joy and happiness and all your wishes came true.

consumer1 - you obviously know NOTHING about the life of an educator. I have four educators in my family including a father who was a principal for over 35 years. He was often gone during his three months of summer VACATION attending required college recertification courses. He was gone at night and some weekends. My Dad, as well as my brothers who currently teach, put in more hours in a 9 month period than most individuals do in a year of 40 hours a week. My brothers take second jobs in the summers to make ends meet. Only female teachers whose husband make good money get to take the summer off. With a master's degree and nearly 40 years experience, my father retired in 1990 on 38,000 per year. And you think he was way over paid? Get a clue before you start blasting teachers! He was a dedicated educator who sacrificed material things like boats (he loved to fish) and other fancy things just so he could teach and nurture other peoples kids for a ridiculously low salary. Suffice to say, it really ticks me off to hear idiots like you pop off about teachers being over paid. I apologize to everyone else for having to read this but I'll go to bat for my old man and brothers any day of the week! teach1reach1 - Thank you for being an educator. There are a lot of us who truly appreciate our educators. mrcairo - you amaze me! I have no idea what planet you were born on, but you obviously are still pouting over the 2000 election. We all know that SADDAM used WMB on his own people. SO- common sense tells us that he had them. He wouldn't let the UN inspect after umpteen resolutions and he WOULD have used them on the US the first chance he got. We all know this. It is a FACT! Thanks to the Lord that George W. Bush was our president on 9-11. What would you have done? Pat Saddam on the hands and say No No, bad Saddam.(we wouldn't want to hurt his self-esteem now would we?) Isn't that what you liberals are worried about? It will be a day of celebration when conservative Americans re-elect President Bush in November.

Savage 9 years, 7 months ago

Dems look at their chosen hopeful.....

Savage 9 years, 7 months ago

Dems looks as their chosen hopefull leader as a radical savior of all ills (scary isnt it). Republicans look at their leader as just a good choice, a good person...thats it.

Were fighting a life and death battle for our lives right now. Stop the war hero garbage. No thanks to the pants dropper either who was spending time with lewinsky while he should have been chasing Osama.

Sorry folks... there is no grey zone in the war on terror.

Wake up!

Fishman 9 years, 7 months ago

To mrcairo. If you truly think it's all about oil, may your family be the first to feel the wrath of chemical weapons. Do you REALLY believe they don't exist?? Sometimes I fell like I'm living in a town full of fools. By the way, do you drive a vehicle that uses gasoline, and are you willing to quit using it?? Doubtful at the very least. Funny how many of the people that complain are driving SUV's with rating of about 10-12 miles to the gallon. 10 years for Sadaam is enough. Also, did you ask ANY people that live here that used to live in neighboring countries of Iraq what they think of todays Hitler??

consumer1 9 years, 7 months ago

Just wondering, of those 1000 soldiers who paid the ultimate price for us to drive gas guzzling SUV's, and how many of those that will willingly fight and die for freedom, so we have the right to bad mouth our political system were liberals? ANY IDEAS? It is hard to find many berkinstocks in the UNITED STATES ARMY.

nicegirl 9 years, 7 months ago

Thank you Hi_jinks. And thank you Jonas.

ultimate175 9 years, 7 months ago

And by the way, Hussein himself was a terrorist organization. Just look at his history. But he probably had nothing to do with himself.

ultimate175 9 years, 7 months ago

I didn't say that Saddam had anything to do with 9-11. In fact I implied just the opposite by saying that going to war with Iraq IS NOT retaliation for 9-11.

I also didn't say that Bin Laden LIKED Hussein, or vice versa. There are documented reports of Al Queda personnel meeting with Hussein in Baghdad on more than one occasion as documented in the 9-11 commission report.

mrcairo 9 years, 7 months ago

Ultimate175... you write: Given that, the new age of terrorism in general, and Hussein's known contacts with Al Queda...

It's a fact, that Osama petitioned the Saudi Government to allow his group to fight Saddam in Kuwait, and to protect the Saudi Government. It's a fact, that Osama hated Saddam, it's a fact, that there was no relationship between Osama and Saddam.

Why is it, even after the Bush Administration admits to this, that people like you can't accept the fact that Saddam had nothing to do with 9-11 or any terrorist organization.

ultimate175 9 years, 7 months ago

Bowman, did you see Bush's speech at the RNC? Did you see him almost lose it when he was talking about the soldiers who have given their lives?

According to people like you he's inept at everything, somehow I don't think that "wellling up of tears" was an act.

You also admit that Iraq did have WMD's (by your parenthetical statement). They were given opportunity upon opportunity to show that they were no longer in possession of those, and didn't. That combined with our best intelligence warranted the conclusion that they were still there.

Given that, the new age of terrorism in general, and Hussein's known contacts with Al Queda, Bush's only choice was to act preventitively. Had he not, and another attack ensued, no one would have forgiven him. The war with Iraq was not about retaliation for 9-11, it was about preventing another by a dangerous enemy associated with terrorism of all sorts.

There is no other master. Only your political committments.

mr_daniels 9 years, 7 months ago

By all means to a nicegirl. Happy birthday and many more to come!

TheBowman 9 years, 7 months ago

Let's look at this: Bush proceded with this aktion in Iraq under the pretext of finding weapons of mass destruction (of which were sold to Iraq by the Reagan & Bush 1.0 Adminstrations).

After a year and a half, no weapons were found, and the entire region has become a never-ending killzone and an orgy of psychotic violence.

It is doubtful that this adminstration could care less if one thousand soldiers have died in this middle of this. Why do I say this? Because they serve other masters. I'll leave that for you to figure out....

jonas 9 years, 7 months ago

nicegirl: happy birthday.

jonas 9 years, 7 months ago

Coming up tomorrow in the jlworld on the street:

Q: What do you think about the gay-marriage movement?

(asked at the church of Fred Phelps)

Then for Saturday

Q: Do you think homelessness is a problem in Lawrence?

(asked at Salvation Army drop in center)

Hi_Jinks 9 years, 7 months ago

Happy B-Day, nicegirl!! Enjoy it! Celebrate! Live it up! You go, girl!

Hi_Jinks 9 years, 7 months ago

BTW...I see that two of my three favorite female "post persons" have checked in today! (Italianprincess and nicegirl) .....So where's "me"?? Me, are you out there somewhere? Waiting to hear from you (Soon!) :) !!

mrcairo 9 years, 7 months ago

So, Mr. Fishman, and Mr. Hoof-Hearted, I'm glad you cleared all this mess up.

It is about the oil then. Never mind the Weapons of Mass Deception, it's all about the oil.

Hi_Jinks 9 years, 7 months ago

I don't think I like the LJ World's censoring posts and all!! Like the way they censored Wittman's post a few Sundays ago!

Note to Wittman: I read that post of yours that particular day...I was probably one of only few who got the chance to do so, since you posted it so early in the morning--and it got yanked so soon after you posted it!

My! My!, Mr. Wittman! Yours was quite an interesting take on how one should go about cutting down on fuel costs! LOL!!!

Anyway...Whatever happened to free speech? Aren't we all adults here or what?

nicegirl 9 years, 7 months ago

Thank you Ultimate. I didn't want to be insulted too bad today. It's my birthday! Except my husband has apparently forgotten :(

Wittmann 9 years, 7 months ago

Liked Jonas' comment and I think you could probably do most of the paper the same way.

ultimate175 9 years, 7 months ago

Nicegirl - no need to make a strong comment like that then shy away. I'm with ya. I think Bush is doing a fine job considering the info. he had and circumstances he's had to deal with.

nicegirl 9 years, 7 months ago

The significance is that 1000 soldiers are dead. However, I got to go with mr_daniels on this. I am thankful that we have a strong President who can make his own decisions and isn't intimidated.

Of course, now I just opened myself up to all kinds of criticism so I guess bring it on.....

hoof_hearted 9 years, 7 months ago

oh, and by the way.....

dump kerry.

hoof_hearted 9 years, 7 months ago

I agree with fishman. If all these limp-wristed, light-on-their-feet, left wing libs keep whining about Iraq being about oil, they'd better park their cars and turn off their air-conditioners. Hey, lefties, we need oil! And God forbid we drill for it anywhere like Alaska, or wherever! No, we can't have that without the left gettin' all hot 'n bothered! Yep, they want their cake and they want to eat it too!

Watch "Three Days of the Condor", an older movie from the 70s with Robert Redford. The ending is way true! A great movie! And it's about oil.

teach1reach1 9 years, 7 months ago

to all the negative comments in regards to teaching lately...I do not feel that I was overpaid, right before I quit teaching I made 18,000 a year (With a Master's Degree) teaching a room of 27 first graders. I stayed late, came in on weekends, had many meetings I was required to attend meetings/activities after student hours with no supplemental pay, etc. I was there on days that the students weren't, for in-services, parent conferences, etc. And as for the "3 months of vacation" I had to go to grad school to keep my teaching certificate current, and show up early to get the room set up, more meetings, etc before the official "start date" the parents see. I'm surprised that teachers have any time to talk politics in the classroom. I didn't, nor did I want too. (I apologize to all the veterans out there for deviating on this post a bit.) All teachers are different, so I can only speak of my experience. I just wanted to say that teaching involves much more "behind the scenes" work than some people are aware of. Thanks

Carmenilla 9 years, 7 months ago

How many in Iraq will have to die on either side before people like mr_daniels and his ilk see what a fiasco the occupation has become? Do the civilian lives lost even mean anything to them? Everyone knows Saddam was a baddie but this is doing nothing to solve an all-around problem. Terrorist attacks are on the rise because of our ineptitude in Iraq. Sure we got rid of Hussein but we stuck our stick in a hornet's nest and its ready to explode. I want to see our soldiers fighting the war on terrorism not a losing battle for democracy in a country that no longer wants our "aid".

Fishman 9 years, 7 months ago

If you are driving a car that uses petroleum products, and using fossil fuel to stay warm in the winter, and cool in the summer, your opinion doesn't merit as much as you might think. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You love your way of life, but don't want to have any sacrifices to get it. That's another reason so many in other countries hate you, and me. It's called arrogance. I eat everyday, have a roof over my head, and have freedom, and instead of bitching about everything, I am very grateful for where I live. If you really hate what goes on here so much, move to a third world country where you could make a difference, and feel better about yourself. Just don't take your car. Fishman PS And if you really think it's ALL about oil this time, talk to some people here that lived in the neighboring countries of Iraq. They may enlighten you to the fact that Saddam etc would like nothing more than to see your family, including you, dead as a doornail. Not only that, but the countries that have oil reserves NEED someone to sell it to in order to improve their overall economy. I admit it's a terrible mess, but oil is not the only answer to terrorism.

ray_of_light 9 years, 7 months ago

There are just two words that I can think of to describe my thoughts of the 1,000 dead soldiers in Iraq:

sad....pathetic.

So very sad! So unbelievably pathetic!

I just know that I'm voting for John Kerry in November and when he wins and takes office in January, hopefully the needless/senseless bloodshed will end! Bless those dearly departed soliers....and bless John Kerry and John Edwards too!

goatdog 9 years, 7 months ago

When I think about the American soldiers in Iraq I'm reminded of Eric Schrumpf, the young soldier from Tennessee who, when asked how he was, said "I had a great day! I killed alot of people!" Is Eric your hero?? Does Eric make you proud to be an American? Do want Eric wandering around your neighborhood?

new_kid_in_town 9 years, 7 months ago

Hey? What happened to my earlier post? I just asked where a guy could get a good, cheap haircut in this town?? What? Is there some sort of censorship on this site? Geez! Sorry if I "offended" anyone!

9_11 9 years, 7 months ago

A thousand lives lost is sad, but nevertheless I believe that the war against terrorism involved invading Iraq and toppling Saddam Hussein. He is an evil man. He paid terrorists' families 25,000 dollars (American equivilant) a piece as some sort of twisted compensation and/or reward for blowing up Jews in Israel. How can any one object to him being defeated? The sanctions against him lasted over a decade and did nothing to him personally. His iron grip on the Iraqi citizens kept him from being overthrown by his own people. WMD's or not.....I'm glad he's gone! The world is just a little bit safer now for all of us, thank you very much!!

consumer1 9 years, 7 months ago

Our children see teacher's as authority figures, that validates their believability when they teach. However, seeing these comments disturbs me to think they are using this power to manipulate and limit the student's ability to develop their own opinions and just like sexual harrassment, the oposing student oppinion can be stifled for fear of retrobution. The classroom is for education not political agenda propaganda. My High school daughter has told me on several occasion how teachers are promoting their personal oppinions on the current political scene. This is NOT what they are being (overpaid) to do. By the way I would like to have three months off every summer. Okay lefties, bring it on !!

whatever 9 years, 7 months ago

I don't believe that there is any significance whatsoever to the number 1,000. However, the number 1,000,000....... Ah! Now there's a number that excites me!! Talk to me when the number of deaths reaches 1,000,000. Okay?

consumer1 9 years, 7 months ago

I am concerned that we have Teacher's in US 497 that my be trying to dilute the thinking of our children with their left wing attitudes. CAN they be unbiased and just teach math?? or are they like most lefties alway perpetrating their agenda?

mr_daniels 9 years, 7 months ago

mr_daniels sticks to his guns and will not be intimidated by the Left's "girly men." The 9/11 Anniversary is coming up Saturday. Expect another "bounce" for the plus for the Bush Campaign. Politics. Love it or leave it. Hell Man. I love it. Bring it on you "girly men"!

mrcairo 9 years, 7 months ago

Mission Accomplished !!!!

italianprincess 9 years, 7 months ago

God Bless all the families of these fallen soldiers is all I'm going to say.

ultimate175 9 years, 7 months ago

I think it's partly amusing, but mostly frustrating, to see people inject little derisive phrases into their arguments (i.e. democRATS and "Shocking and Awe-Shucks" invasion). To me, comments like that reflect a lack of measured thinking in favor of just jumping on one bandwagon or the other because you do or don't like someone.

I think mr_daniels and davidryan's points both would have been better stated without those childish shots.

Man I hate "politics". Too bad the subject matter of it is too important though.

davidryan 9 years, 7 months ago

mr_daniels: al Quada attacked us on 9/11, not Iraq. Saudi and other muslim extremists killed Americans and citizens of other countries in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon attacks, not the thousands of Iraqi civilians now dead as a result of Bush/Cheney 04's Shocking and Awe-Shucks invasion and bungled occupation of their country.

The Taliban is still in control of wide areas of Afghanistan, and the drug trade there is flourishing, because Bush cut and ran from Afghanistan and capturing Bin Laden to divert military resources to invading Iraq.

Our soldiers killed in action deserve the utmost, highest respect and admiration. But don't confuse their sacrifice with any idea of "success" on the part of Bush. & Co.

Now that you're more straight on the facts, mr_daniels, what exactly is your point?

mr_daniels 9 years, 7 months ago

It is unfortunate that the DemocRAT Party is using this story for political gain during a time of war. Utterly despicable, shameful and disgraceful is the RAT party! Before there was one thousand of America's best dying for the cause of freedom there were the first three thousand casualties at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania where flight 93 was crashed by Patriots who gave so that others may live!

You RATS out there! These Colors Do Not Run! Only Rat girly men run!

The RAT party is TOAST!

ultimate175 9 years, 7 months ago

On a different note to Merrill. Your proposal of developing alternative energy sources with the money spent on the war is a bit myopic and idealistic isn't it? Can you say for certainty that the waging of this war has not prevented any ensuing attacks on the U.S.? Of course not.

Also, your implication is that a new energy source could have been developed during the course of this war. You can't be serious. The hurdles associated with that are too numerous to list.

Savage 9 years, 7 months ago

The death toll is 4000+ in the war on terror. nine eleven included. Not just 1000. The people in spain and the little children in russia too. Chechen rebels... whatever! Try mulsim extremists!

ultimate175 9 years, 7 months ago

Thumbs up to you hoof_hearted. Anyone who truly thinks this war is about occupation is politically blinded at best.

And if the U.S. (NOT the UN) was not the police of the world, there might not be any Jews left in Europe, and the whole continent might well be a dictatorship.

Interesting note that a couple days ago Kerry was bashing the amount of money spent on this war. Only one year ago, on the Tim Russert show, Kerry said we should spend "whatever it takes" to win it.

hoof_hearted 9 years, 7 months ago

This is what it means: that 1000 Saints have been added to heaven. They have made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of freedom. I have a 22 yr old nephew in Iraq. He came home for a two week leave recently. He was willingly and anxious to go back, and did so. He and his fellow soldiers know why they are there and are grateful for the chance to defend liberty and freedom. It's the left wing media that constantly paints a negative picture. Yes, war is hell. But sometimes it has to happen and yes, sometimes it is the answer. Just ask the Japanese and the Germans in WW2.

Oh, and by the way---

Dump Kerry.

Punkin 9 years, 7 months ago

The war on Iraq was uneccesary, illegal, and extraordinarily expensive in both lives and monetary cost. Over 1000 US soldiers have died, yes, but remember, too, that over 7000 American soldiers have been injured in the war, many so severely that their lives will be both difficult and painful from here on out.

The US cannot and should not be the police of the world.

The only way for us to reclaim legitimacy in the larger world opinion is to send GW Bush packing back to Texas. We need to end the occupation of Iraq, stop funding Israel's genocidal assualt on the Palestinian people, and resume our focus on international human rights and nuclear disarmament.

Peace Now! US out of Iraq!

Funnybone 9 years, 7 months ago

To many people are dying in Iraq including everyday citizens. Isn't that a clue that maybe we should reconsider the war efforts in Iraq. Don't make this another Vietnam!!!

Richard Heckler 9 years, 7 months ago

The war on terrorism was put on the back burner in order to occupy Iraq where the Taliban and Al Qaeda were not. Al Qaeda has many many cells throughout the world but none were in Iraq. As a result thousands of innocent lives have been wasted which include soldiers who are also innocent victims of the war for oil. It has been said, most notably on Science Friday, had we had the vision to spend this war/oil money in the U.S. the funds could have developed a whole new industry. The industry... alternative fuel sources. This would have garnered respect around the world for the U.S., provided probaly a million new jobs, saved thousands of lives and a return on what would have been looked upon as a wise investment for our citizens and the air we breathe not to mention the environment in general.
Instead we have wasted tens of thousands of lives, what will likely be trillions of dollars and our respect around the world. According to a post on another chatboard the Iraq war is costing US taxpayers more than $131 million dollars a day. More dead lives are yet to come and the total loss of respect may never be known.

jonas 9 years, 7 months ago

Wow, universal opposition to the war? Oh. . . at a candlelight vigil. Why did they bother asking at all? They could have just written a response for each of them. Like adlibs, put in tragedy, Bush lied, Iraqi civilians dead, and there you go.

Liberal bias in the media comment in t-minus 10. . . 9. . . 8. . .

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