Lonzie Cox – 5/12/08

This page was last updated on May 12, 2008.

The wrong attitude; Lonzie Cox, Jr.; Beaver County Times; May 12, 2008. I am not related to Mr. Cox.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“At least 73 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the March 24 benchmark number of 4,000 dead.”

[RWC] Hmm, Mr. Cox considers dead servicemen to be a “benchmark.”

“Seventy three funerals and sets of bereaved families and friends. Strangely, there is no outcry, no protests, no anger and, God forbid, no bitterness. These troops are dead for no good reason whatsoever, murdered along with countless Iraqis.”

[RWC] It’s clear Mr. Cox shares common values with Times editorial authors. Mr. Cox probably would probably assert he supports the troops while claiming those killed “are dead for no good reason whatsoever.” As volunteers, I suspect most of our servicemen believe we’re in Iraq and Afghanistan for a good reason.

“And as if that wasn’t bad enough, another young man of military age recently expressed to me the following sentiment.

“He reminded me that all these people in the military are volunteers who, if they do get killed, knew what they were getting into.”

“The young man showed no empathy, no sense that ‘there but for the grace of God go I.’”

[RWC] You’ll note Mr. Cox didn’t tell us how he responded to the alleged “young man of military age.”

“I’ve heard that sentiment about volunteers expressed on right-wing radio, but I was shocked at his attitude. He belittled the troops’ sacrifice because they volunteered to serve when they were needed.”

[RWC] Mr. Cox probably listens to more “right-wing radio” than I, but I never heard anyone on “right-wing radio” express the sentiments Mr. Cox claims he heard.

“I think it’s even more wrong for President George W. Bush to continue wasting their lives in the mindless Iraq war without even acknowledging their great sacrifice. In three weeks, Bush will go to Arlington Cemetery to place a wreath. How many more names will greet him then? And will he really notice or even understand what it means?”

[RWC] “[W]ithout even acknowledging their great sacrifice?” When has President Bush NOT acknowledged the sacrifices of our armed forces? I don’t know Mr. Cox, but based on what he writes and what I’ve heard him say, he sounds like a bitter, mean person.