does anyone know if W has called

[thinkingwoman]

any families who've sacrificed loved ones to the Iraq boondoggle?

[LEW]

1. Probably not

He doesn't like to deal with reality!!!!!!

B-)

[unblock]

2. knowing his handlers,

i'll bet they screen them and bush only talks to a few ardent rush fanatics who have lost loved ones and still love bush.

they screen in every other situation, why not here?

[salin]

3. Cynically I think - only perhaps

the most photo-op opportune.. as in ... the Lynches (albeit she wasn't 'lost').

He did say, trying to demonstrate how seriously he took war, that it was his responsibility to call and embrace each family (upon each fatality). However I have never heard of him actually doing so.

Maybe (if we are really generous) he intended to, but one of the fathers of one of the earliest fatalities went to the press with his anger - and that he thought his son had been lost to political opportunism (my words - but that was the gist) and with that response either became petulant or fearful (of getting an angry response).

[thinkingwoman]

4. I don't know of him contacting any of them either...

I do know of a family who has recently lost a son in Iraq. They think W is a great and honorable man and they are certain that he will contact them.

I hate to see them disappointed, but, well, we all have to grow up sometime.

I just wondered if W had contacted anyone so far.

[salin]

9. How is your community doing?

I read about it in the local paper. Really heart breaking.

The father was quoted and clearly believed that the son died for a noble cause (and president). I think his son died nobly. The rest is debatable.

But how awful to have to 'grow up' in terms of the beliefs about those we respect at such an incredibly painful time of loss.

I have not heard of W contacting anyone. But that doesn't mean he doesn't (being generous again). I just think he might be too busy vacationing and fundraising to do so. :(

[thinkingwoman]

12. everyone is still in shock I think

Of course it's about all anyone talks about.

All the flags are at half staff and the local high school has a shrine set up in the main hall. This is a strong pro-military community (which should not be confused with pro-war). The military is the only real option for a large number of high school graduates from this area.

I'm sure there will be a huge community-wide memorial service once his family gets him back. And we are all are naturally proud of him, even and especially those of us who disagree with this administration and the war.

I feel so sorry for his family and truly, I hope W DOES call them. I think it will devastate them if he doesn't.

[Liberal_Andy]

5. Probably only to ask if they want to be pioneers or rangers...

or something like that.

Asswipe.

[imax2268]

6. or to ask

for campaign contributions...

To be honest I really don't see him or heard of him saying anything about it...

[tsipple]

7. Good Question for Slate's "Explainer," No?

Although you'd have to submit it with a little more neutrality. For example, "What is the protocol for receiving war casualties from Iraq or any other conflict? When does the President telephone soldiers' families or attend funerals?" That might do the trick.

[janekat]

8. last I heard on 8/23 he hasn't

and of course, still hasn't gone to any of their funerals.

http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/03/08/23_vacation.html

[jburton]

10. No, there has been no "event"

You know if he did call anybody, the White House would release photos of an empathetic leader counseling a widow over the phone.

Visible in the photo's background would be at least 20 American flags, a framed photo of Laura, the Bible, and some other props.

[TahitiNut]

11. Would you want him to call ...

... if it were a member of your family? I wouldn't. If he did, I'd tell him that sending my relative to death for the sake of the greed and magalomania of his cabal was an atrocity. Then I'd hang up.

[thinkingwoman]

13. I personally wouldn't, but...

the family in question EXPECTS him to. It's terribly sad for so many reasons.