5/9/2004

It's Not My Fault

I appreciated the words of encouragement, but there were others who did not understand, “It's Not My Fault.”

It was not political.  You bring to what I was writing from your own viewpoint.  If you viewed it as political, then that is where you were coming from.  I am not saying you are right or wrong.

You are entitled to your viewpoint. It is a question of family values and morals.  It is accepting responsibility. That was the purpose and the quotes that were given. Everyone is looking for a scapegoat.  It is always someone else's fault, lack of training, being over zealous, they are bad guys killing innocent people, they deserve what they dished out, it is the Lieutenants problem, the captain, the general, the secretary of defense, the president.

It is time to take responsibility.  It starts in the home, and the home of your friends and neighbors.

Over and over again, we are being told at the US Armed Service Committee hearings that a solider has the duty to refuse an unlawful order.

Truman said the “Buck stopped here,” as he took the ultimate responsibility. I don't think Bush or Rumsfeld have said they are not taking responsibility. Both have said they are trying to get to the bottom of it, not hiding anything, and both have spoken out against the morality involved.  If you think they are not, then there is an election in November.  I personally believe President Bush in his heart believes he is doing the right thing and his cause is “just.”

History will prove the consequences of his decisions.  The voters in November will give a more current opinion. I think my friend Gary Call was right on with his comment:

“I believe it was President Truman, who told us all were the buck stop,  however there are many other along the way who needs to be made accountable.  If we go back the Nuremberg Trials, we held several high ranking officials accountable, what's the different now?”

My Son Dash sent me this, who was sent this by a friend to him.

“Attached is a picture of one of my best friends in the Army, Mike McNaughton.  We were privates together in 1990-1994.  He stepped on a landmine in Afghanistan Christmas 2002.  President Bush came to visit the wounded in the hospital.  He told Mike that when he could run a mile, that they would go on a run together.  True to his word, he called Mike every month or so to see how he was doing.  Well, last week they went on the run, 1 mile with the president.  Not something you'll see in the news, but seeing the president taking the time to say thank you to the wounded and to give hope to one of my best friends was one of the greatest/best things I have seen in my life.  It almost sounds like a corny email chain letter, but god bless him.

Love,
Justin
CPT Justin P. Dodge, MD
Flight Surgeon, 1-2 AVN RGT
Medical Corps , U.S. Army