There is a front page article posted in today's Pottstown Mercury (February 22) regarding 1st Lt. Nathan Raudenbush and the 2001 S-F graduate. The artcle stated a spokesperson from the Army press office could not confirm Thursday that Raudenbush had been killed and said casualty confirmation is not made public until 24 hours after the soldier’s family has been notified. My son and his best friend graduatew with Nat and have been deeply saddened by this very sad news as well. As far 'why are we in Iraq'? At the time of the attack on the USA (WTC et al) it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. If we don't show these terroristic nations that the USA is not going to take it, they will never take us seriously again. Unfortunately, this is the result of war. It' nuts, it sad, it makes me angry too but if it was not for the brave men such as Nat, our freedom would be compromised.
With all due respect, that's B.S. Going to Iraq didn't "seem like the right thing to do at the time." Going into Afghanistan WAS the right thing to do at the time. Going into Iraq was NEVER a good idea, and the post-hoc rationalization that "no one could have known it would turn out this way" is simply flat-out wrong. Ask any of my college friends -- I became involved in many VERY heated debates with friends who believed it was somehow inappropriate to challenge the Administration during "a time of war" because I could clearly see that a) Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, and b) nothing good would come of this. I'm sorry for the loss of Nate, his comrades-in-arms, and all the equally devoted Iraqi civilians and collaborators who have been killed...but I don't believe we "honor their deaths" by making sure thousands more get killed. Whatever excuses the Administration used to get us INTO the war (and they've all been refuted, despite MANY attempts at a bait-and-switch form of revisionist history), what we need now is a way to get OUT that doesn't lead to wholesale massacre of those who tried to support us. But remaining in Iraq in any open-ended way is NOT the solution.
My name is Tim O’Donnell; I graduated from Widener University in 2001 and was commissioned as a 2LT in the Army much like Nate was a few years later. I only knew Nate in passing, but his death is something that will stay with me for a long time. Nate was the first Widener Grad to be killed in Iraq. My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. To those who are outraged by his passing and feel that it was in vein, I tell you that if he was like most soldiers he would disagree. The way to honor a soldier's legacy is not to cry out that his death was for nothing; you honor a soldier’s death by taking solace in the fact that he or she was brave enough to take a stand against evil. Believe me there is evil in Iraq and that evil must not be allowed to flourish.
I appreciate your thoughts. Please understand that it's not a matter of claiming Nate's death (or anyone else's) was in vain; if someone gives their lives in service to a cause they value, who am I to say the sacrifice was misplaced? It's also not a matter of dishonoring their lives in any way. I just fail to see the logical thread between acknowledging that someone's death is a tragedy, and following it up with MORE deaths because we need to "honor their memory" by doing things the same old way.
I'm not sure how many people have seen this article, but Nate was quoted by Time Magazine back in January here is the link to the web site: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1707290,00.html
Dear Tim - very well said! I couldn't agree with you more. Evil breeds evil and as you say it it must not be allowed to flourish. The enemy comes to kill, steal and destro and As ONE NATION UNDER GOD, it is our duty to stop the enemy.
I have read the article, and was proud of the way Nate handled the situation.
@Linc:
I am a Christian, and as such believe in the redemptive power of the love of Christ...and the fact that this love encompasses the entire world, no exceptions. As such, I request that you kindly refrain from spouting any sort of militant "Christian" rhetoric to justify violence.
I am interested in your perspective, but will not condone your using such language on this blog. Such sentiments do nothing to honor Nate's death or memory, and serve only to further increase the divide between our nation and those who would seek to do us harm. Militant extremism is NOT only something to be found among Muslims -- unfortunately, there are as many nominal "Christians" here in the U.S. that fit the same violent, rigidly closed-minded mold.
Ultimately, the only way these issues will be resolved is by bringing together moderate, tolerant, loving voices from BOTH sides, Muslim AND Christian. I will not abide any use of language in this space that will work contrary to the purpose of establishing unity in the search for a way forward.
I recently received the news of nate's passing. I grew up with him in elementary shool and playing little league together. I understand your statement against the war as i am an anti-war activist myself. This is a difficult time for all of us and his death makes this all more confusing. Wherever he may be, peace be with nate.
ONE of the great things about our country, we can speak our thoughts and ideas till the cows come home. God is the truth, the light, and the way. Clearly we do not agree about keeping our nation free or do we agree about what the terms and conditions are when an individual signs up for military duty. Because I do not have the time nor do I want to debate what I believe I know is right in my heart, I rest my case and will not be 'blogging' on your sight.
I'm glad I was able to do my part in ensuring you maintained the moral, and rhetorical high ground. If you ever want someone to infringe on your rights of free expression, sacrifice our nation to those who would do us harm, wish ill upon our servicemen, and generally undermine all that is great about the United States, you know where to find me.
Obviously I can't say anything that will make this better, Tim, except that I'm sorry. But, for what it's worth, look at it this way: No matter what your feelings are on the war, or mine, or anybody's, Nate's were that he was fighting to protect his country. Although your arguments are that he didn't die for an honorable cause, he himself did die with his own honor intact, and that's a fitting tribute for anyone.
17 comments:
oh that's so sad. Only knew them from the distance of your house and school.
There is a front page article posted in today's Pottstown Mercury (February 22) regarding 1st Lt. Nathan Raudenbush and the 2001 S-F graduate. The artcle stated a spokesperson from the Army press office could not confirm Thursday that Raudenbush had been killed and said casualty confirmation is not made public until 24 hours after the soldier’s family has been notified. My son and his best friend graduatew with Nat and have been deeply saddened by this very sad news as well. As far 'why are we in Iraq'? At the time of the attack on the USA (WTC et al) it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. If we don't show these terroristic nations that the USA is not going to take it, they will never take us seriously again. Unfortunately, this is the result of war. It' nuts, it sad, it makes me angry too but if it was not for the brave men such as Nat, our freedom would be compromised.
Just in case you wondering about that article, the link is below.
http://www.pottsmerc.com/WebApp/appmanager/JRC/Daily?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pg_article&r21.pgpath=%2FPTM%2FNews&r21.content=%2FPTM%2FNews%2FTopStoryList_Story_1628517
It's infuriating because soldiers overseas aren't dying to keep is free--they're dying to protect political interests.
I'm really sorry.
@Linc:
With all due respect, that's B.S. Going to Iraq didn't "seem like the right thing to do at the time." Going into Afghanistan WAS the right thing to do at the time. Going into Iraq was NEVER a good idea, and the post-hoc rationalization that "no one could have known it would turn out this way" is simply flat-out wrong. Ask any of my college friends -- I became involved in many VERY heated debates with friends who believed it was somehow inappropriate to challenge the Administration during "a time of war" because I could clearly see that a) Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, and b) nothing good would come of this. I'm sorry for the loss of Nate, his comrades-in-arms, and all the equally devoted Iraqi civilians and collaborators who have been killed...but I don't believe we "honor their deaths" by making sure thousands more get killed. Whatever excuses the Administration used to get us INTO the war (and they've all been refuted, despite MANY attempts at a bait-and-switch form of revisionist history), what we need now is a way to get OUT that doesn't lead to wholesale massacre of those who tried to support us. But remaining in Iraq in any open-ended way is NOT the solution.
My name is Tim O’Donnell; I graduated from Widener University in 2001 and was commissioned as a 2LT in the Army much like Nate was a few years later. I only knew Nate in passing, but his death is something that will stay with me for a long time. Nate was the first Widener Grad to be killed in Iraq. My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. To those who are outraged by his passing and feel that it was in vein, I tell you that if he was like most soldiers he would disagree. The way to honor a soldier's legacy is not to cry out that his death was for nothing; you honor a soldier’s death by taking solace in the fact that he or she was brave enough to take a stand against evil. Believe me there is evil in Iraq and that evil must not be allowed to flourish.
@Tim:
I appreciate your thoughts. Please understand that it's not a matter of claiming Nate's death (or anyone else's) was in vain; if someone gives their lives in service to a cause they value, who am I to say the sacrifice was misplaced? It's also not a matter of dishonoring their lives in any way. I just fail to see the logical thread between acknowledging that someone's death is a tragedy, and following it up with MORE deaths because we need to "honor their memory" by doing things the same old way.
Tim, I'm so sorry. I understand how you feel.
I'm not sure how many people have seen this article, but Nate was quoted by Time Magazine back in January here is the link to the web site: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1707290,00.html
Dear Tim - very well said! I couldn't agree with you more. Evil breeds evil
and as you say it it must not be allowed to flourish. The enemy comes to kill,
steal and destro and As ONE NATION UNDER GOD, it is our duty to stop the enemy.
@Tim:
I have read the article, and was proud of the way Nate handled the situation.
@Linc:
I am a Christian, and as such believe in the redemptive power of the love of Christ...and the fact that this love encompasses the entire world, no exceptions. As such, I request that you kindly refrain from spouting any sort of militant "Christian" rhetoric to justify violence.
I am interested in your perspective, but will not condone your using such language on this blog. Such sentiments do nothing to honor Nate's death or memory, and serve only to further increase the divide between our nation and those who would seek to do us harm. Militant extremism is NOT only something to be found among Muslims -- unfortunately, there are as many nominal "Christians" here in the U.S. that fit the same violent, rigidly closed-minded mold.
Ultimately, the only way these issues will be resolved is by bringing together moderate, tolerant, loving voices from BOTH sides, Muslim AND Christian. I will not abide any use of language in this space that will work contrary to the purpose of establishing unity in the search for a way forward.
I recently received the news of nate's passing. I grew up with him in elementary shool and playing little league together. I understand your statement against the war as i am an anti-war activist myself. This is a difficult time for all of us and his death makes this all more confusing. Wherever he may be, peace be with nate.
ONE of the great things about our country, we can speak our thoughts and ideas till the cows come home. God is the truth, the light, and the way. Clearly we do not agree about keeping our nation free or do we agree about what the terms and conditions are when an individual signs up for military duty. Because I do not have the time nor do I want to debate what I believe I know is right in my heart, I rest my case and will not be 'blogging' on your sight.
@Linc:
I'm glad I was able to do my part in ensuring you maintained the moral, and rhetorical high ground. If you ever want someone to infringe on your rights of free expression, sacrifice our nation to those who would do us harm, wish ill upon our servicemen, and generally undermine all that is great about the United States, you know where to find me.
Obviously I can't say anything that will make this better, Tim, except that I'm sorry. But, for what it's worth, look at it this way: No matter what your feelings are on the war, or mine, or anybody's, Nate's were that he was fighting to protect his country. Although your arguments are that he didn't die for an honorable cause, he himself did die with his own honor intact, and that's a fitting tribute for anyone.
--Ryan
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