West Point graduates enrolled at the beginning of the occupation, will graduate into same war.

[bigtree]

Nice of the Devil's handmaiden to remind them . . .


Cheney speaking at the United States Military Academy commencement yesterday:

"It is rare in West Point history for a class to join during wartime,
and to graduate in the midst of that same war. But this, too, is part of
the story of the Class of 2007. You came here knowing these four years
would pass; the courses would be finished; this day of commissioning would
arrive -- and you would then become responsible for the well being of men
and women under your command. You are trained and prepared for battlefield
leadership. And you follow in the path of many alumni already in the fight . . ."

"You're about to become leaders in an amazing Army -- an all-
volunteer force that has carried out tough missions in a time of great need
for our country. They have endured long deployments, separation from
family, and loss of comrades. They have fought boldly and courageously,
from the cold mountains of Afghanistan to the dust and heat of the Middle
Eastern desert. Now they're going to look to you for leadership, and it'll
be your job to provide that leadership and to take care of them . . ."

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070526-1.html

[DemoTex]

1. I hope each graduate has read "The Long Gray Line" by Rick Atkinson.

The Long Gray Line is the sad story of the fates of many members of West Point's snake-bit class of 1966.

[bigtree]

2. that's a good analogy

The actual class had 30 deaths and more than 100 wounded in Vietnam.

[LibDemAlways]

3. When Cheney was introduced yesterday, wouldn't it

have been customary to briefly recount his accomplishments and, thus, qualifications for having been chosen as speaker. Do you suppose it included this information?

"Our speaker today sought and obtained five deferments when his country summoned him to service. He has publically stated he had "other priorities" than to wear the uniform of his country....Today he is a warmonger neocon, one of the architects of the Iraq conflict based on lies he personally concocted, interested in blood for oil, enriching himself through his continuing ties with Halliburton, and pulling the strings of a puppet named George Bush...."

Having Cheney address the West Point Class of 2007 was a slap in the face those cadets most likely didn't even realize they were getting.