[Vision2020] Give Devoted Military a Worthwhile War to Fight

[Tom Hansen]

Just a few of the many, ToeKnee -

Veterans Against the Iraqi War
http://www.viaw.org

Iraq Veterans Against the War
http://www.ivaw.net

Vietnam Veterans Against the War
http://www.waw.org

Veterans for Peace
http://www.veteransforpeace.org

I could go on and on, ToeKnee, but it would be like kicking a dead horse.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho



"Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil
and steady dedication of a lifetime." 

--Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.

-----Original Message-----


From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Tony
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2006 11:11 AM
To: keely emerinemix
Cc: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Give Devoted Military a Worthwhile War to Fight

Keely, although the relationship to Tom of said brother is not pertinent to 
the point I made, still it was an oversight and I apologize for it.

My comment about Tom's defeatism was in reference to his conviction that we 
cannot win in Iraq.  It was accurate based on his ongoing opposition to the 
mission our troops overwhelmingly support.  You advise me that Tom deserves 
gratitude for having served.  I have never challenged that assertion - I've 
in fact commended him for his service, but that does not mean he is 
necessarily any more astute than the bulk of his fellow vets who disagree 
with his far left politics.  We all have experience and perspective and an 
equal right to freedom of expression.  Of course simply having lived through

a certain situation does not guarantee one will reach a logical and just 
conclusion as to its resolution - that relies more on an ability to 
recognize and consider subtle distinctions, rather than first hand 
experience alone.

You insist that Cheney's change of mind on Iraq indicates a change in the 
neocon mind.  You fail entirely to address the possibility that the world 
geopolitical landscape can change dramatically over the course of the 14 
years between Cheney's statement and our invasion.  Those who are friendly 
one decade may become a threat later, those who are a threat now may become 
an asset under certain circumstances later.  It is unfair for you to apply a

statement made by Cheney 14 years ago regarding a certain regime, to a 
situation faced today.

Happy New Year.              -T
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "keely emerinemix" <kjajmix1 at msn.com>
To: <tonytime at clearwire.net>; <thansen at moscow.com>
Cc: <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Wednesday, December 27, 2006 1:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Give Devoted Military a Worthwhile War to Fight


> Unless I'm reading it wrong, it's the columnist's brother, not Tom's.
>
> But that's not the only thing you got wrong, Tony.  Tom Hansen is not a 
> defeatist.  He has guts and with his military service he's earned the 
> right to our gratitude -- as well as having earned a platform of 
> experience and perspective from which to criticize wrongdoing.
>
> His frequent citing of Dick Cheney's comment on "a classic definition of 
> 'quagmire'" is an important reminder that "something" has changed in the 
> neocon mind regarding justification of this war.  The question continues 
> to be what that something is, and if the change in strategy it wrought 
> came from valid reasons.  I contend that it didn't.
>
> keely
>
>
> From: "Tony" <tonytime at clearwire.net>
> To: "Tom Hansen" <thansen at moscow.com>
> CC: vision2020 at moscow.com
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Give Devoted Military a Worthwhile War to Fight
> Date: Wed, 27 Dec 2006 12:20:36 -0800
>
> Nice try Tom, but the difference between you and your brother is that you
> are a defeatist who has no faith in our military while your brother thinks
> he can accomplish what he is tasked with.
>
> If the American people listen to the likes of you, we will withdraw in 
> shame
> and defeat to the glee of our enemies.  If they listen to the likes of 
> your
> brother, we will likely achieve our objective to the dismay of our 
> enemies.
>
> I wish him well.
>
> Best,  -T