Irish man remembering his US Marine son is angry over reasons for Iraq War

Regarding who in the family advised H.W.43 to invade Iraq, it is documented the General Scolcroft Bush 41 National Security Advisor advised H.W. 43 not to invade Iraq. Kids just don't want to listen to their elders.

The idea that he was injured in Fallujah chilled me because that is where Blackwater Security caused so many horrible problems with their swagger and their $200,000 salaries tax free. As far as I am concerned, Dick Cheney set up this war in order to make his ex-employer, Halliburton, wealthy along with George Schultz Bechtel and the rest of the greedy civilian contractors. There is a school of thought that it was set up in order to prevent Saddam Hussein from pegging the value of Iraqi oil to the Euro. But then, we will never know that for sure, will we. On Jan. 4, in the NYTimes OpEd page, an essay, entitled "The Forgotten Wages of War," gives body counts that are in the six figures of Iraqi civilians killed, not the low 5 figures that the Bush admin published. The author is John Tirman and his book is entitled "The Deaths of Others: The Fate of Civilians in America's Wars." And now we have people running for office that insist we go after Iran. Will we ever learn? Yes, when the Draft is resurrected and females are included in the draft...only then will there be an outcry and the public might wake up and come to their senses. W never asked Poppa Bush for his advice on invading Iraq and how many lives and trillions of dollars lost later proved the consequences of that omission. How many hearts have to break and families destroyed before we wake up and see our politicians' actions' consequences.

My commiseration to John Fenton on the loss of his fine young son. I can't begin to imagine the existential angst he suffered. To other commentators - there's a whale of a difference in dying for George Washington and Paul Revere than George Bush or Dick Chaney. The same proto-cannibal class that sacrificed young men in Vietnam did the same with Iraq. Any weapons of mass destruction Sadaam Hussein had were sold to him by the Anglo-American military-industrial complex. But then he was killing the righ tpeople, i.e. Iranians. The Iraw was was ultimately about black gold. War is an industry. And soldiers are expendable units of production. Most soldiers in most armies are there because they can't get a better job. I was in the Irish military for like reasons, though admittedly, the Defence Forces were/are less exposed than their US counterparts. And different in scale. I wish John Fenton well.

And again to colkelley, your claim that Saddam's removal did more damage to terror groups and their networks seems to omit the biggest threat from the region. Saddam fought for many years against the Iranian evil but now we have cleared the path for it. This once again points out the screwups of American policy makers and not the military. NOT THE MILITARY. If you do not allow me to criticize political figures then perhaps I should go back to Russia.

To colkelley, You have some nerve to even think that I dishonor my son and his service. But to put it into words is disgusting and shows your total lack of empathy.Why is empathy such a dirty word to you? I have never said a cross word about the military and those that have served. My anger is directed at the politicians that sent my son to that God forsaken place in the name of US security. Perhaps you missed the news about no WMD's, no connection to 9-11, and no connection to Bin Laden and Al Qaeda. These may be unimportant facts to you but they are devastating to me. Yes my son re-enlisted but I can tell you he made the decision based on financial reasons number 1. Now you can attack him for his selfish reason to re-up. This will not be printed I am sure but colkelley Go to Hell.

As a former Marine who spent a bit of time in the swamps at PI I never viewed that institution as particularly having integrity. Marines were often used in excess while manipulating those teenage recruits. And the man in the White House who filled us with lies is responsible for thousands that are dead and thousands that are now home with broken bodies and broken spirits.

Cillowen, I agree with your position that we should have a draft. Had we had a lottery draft with absolutely zero deferments when G.W. went to Congress for their approval to attack Iraq, he would have not have gotten it so fast if Congress's sons and daughters would be eligible to be called and each Congressman's constitutents sons and daughters would be eligible to be called.

Let's not get too upset with this. There will be other stupid pointless wars to fight based on lies. The only way it will end is in disaster.

Colkelly - relax and take a chill pill. I have two sons in the Service of the United States - one who did 7 years in the Marines and another now in the Navy. So get off your political high horse. I agreed with your comment about the feeling of Sgt. Fenton's dad. He's entitled to say whatever the heck he wants. But you wish to attach your liberal politics to the sacrifice made by a brave Marine.Spare me you pretentiousness.

Colkelly - it is people like you that make it possible for our citizens to be lied to and accept more war in places like - oh i don't know - Iran? Yeah iran, they are close to having nuclear capability, like, you know, the north koreans. North korea couldn't get their bomb to our shores with a row boat. Neither could iran - but, wait, what does iran have that n.korea does not have? Oh right OIL. I'll tell you what - you send YOUR kids to this next fight. This father (Mr.Fenton) is entitled to his opinion (I agree with him) and his grief. In no way does it dishonor his young sons service. Our country has always had it's share of young people who are willing to serve during time of war - it is up to us older citizens to make sure that our government NEVER puts them in harms way for the wrong reasons. General Smedley Butler had a few things to say on this topic and he dishonored nobody.

When I get to heaven to Saint Peter I will tell. Another Marine reporting Sir. I've served my time in hell.

a good Marine who obeyed his orders and did his duty and it should be for all others who should be subjected to a draft. With such brave mercenaries serving it made it easy for others to puff unafraid of neocon wars, hyprocrites.

a good Marine who obeyed his orders and did his duty and so it should be for all other who should be subjected to the draft. With such brave mercenaries serving it made it easy for others to puff unafraid of neocon wars.

It is easy to be in the military when we are not at war: troops get free all-inclusive medical benefits for themselves and their families; they are encouraged to further their educations at government expense, often achieving college degrees; they can RETIRE with excellent benefits for life after 20 years: 38 for someone who enlists at 18. Members of the military take an oath to serve their country, which is always more difficult in war. They are apolitical. I have great respect for members of our services.

Padraig8 and caolmhin1937, your personal politics and attacks on President Bush only serve to further demean the valor of Sgt. Fenton. He was a good Marine who obeyed his orders and did his duty. I agree with the comment about colkelly criticizing Sgt.Fenton's father. Let it go at that. May Sgt. Fenton RIP.