Mike Luckovich

By MB

October 26, 2005 06:53 AM | Link to this

Darn good question Mike. I’d like to know the true answer to that one too. Excellent job and a powerful editorial.

By Mike NotL

October 26, 2005 07:04 AM | Link to this

9/11

By Polk

October 26, 2005 07:14 AM | Link to this

To Mike NotL and everyone else who is either too ignorant or too gullible to believe everything the Republicans say, Iraq and Saddam Hussain had nothing to do with 9/11. *Mike was spot on today. *

By PW

October 26, 2005 07:14 AM | Link to this

Wow. When I turned the page of the paper this morning and saw this cartoon, it hit me hard. Brought tears to my eyes. Excellent question, Mike.

By Russ

October 26, 2005 07:16 AM | Link to this

Why?? Because that’s where the bad guys are. Duh. Would you rather fight them over here? Keep your eye on the ball, Mike.

By Mike Not L

October 26, 2005 07:29 AM | Link to this

Thanks Polk…You cleared that up for me. Since you seem to have first hand knowledge, perhaps you can tell us when and where the next 9/11 (like) attack will occur? If you look a little deeper for my meaning in my comment you will ascertain that it is better to fight “them” there as opposed to here.

By Mark

October 26, 2005 07:31 AM | Link to this

Why? Because freedom is not free. It comes with a heavy price for both us and the Iraqis. Of course the Iraqis passed their constitution yesterday, I guess the AJC decided that was not important enough to cover.

My question to you is how does it feel to be on the wrong side of history? Maybe your cartoons will be the ones in the textbooks that showed just how spineless our media really is.

By G.

October 26, 2005 07:33 AM | Link to this

Mike, that is awesome! So many lies told, so many lives lost.

By JohnnyT

October 26, 2005 07:35 AM | Link to this

I applaud Mike L for being one of the few representatives of the US media who isn’t too lazy or frightened to ask this crucial question. That he asks it so eloquently is something I’ve come to expect from him. As an Atlanta native who moved to the UK the month G Bush the First was elected, I have grown appalled at the cynicism of this maladministration and am thankful when I see evidence that not all journalists have been infected by it. Cheers, Mike. I look forward to seeing your response to the forthcoming indictments!

By leighway

October 26, 2005 07:36 AM | Link to this

Russ- suppose your son or daughter’s name was in Mike’s drawing. Would you have the courage to read the word aloud and think about the question? Truth can be frightening and bitter and it is a frightening, bitter time for many. Stop trying to be right and THINK truthfully for a minute about what is happening in this country.

By Simon

October 26, 2005 07:42 AM | Link to this

Wow, isn’t capitalism great? You can use the names of fallen soldiers and make a buck. Good job.

By Chet Thomas

October 26, 2005 07:44 AM | Link to this

Why? To prevent another 9/11 (no, I do not believe that Saddam was reponsible for 9/11, but given the chance, he would have made an attack of his own). To rid the world of one more despot that had been murdering his own people for decades. Because the sanctions weren’t working (hence the oil-for-food scandal that is brewing right now.) Because Saddam had developed WMDs in the past, had used WMDs on his own people (the Kurds), and the evidence suggested that he was still making them (a conclusion that was/is supported by every intelligence agency on the planet, including Russia, Germany, and France).

By Tom Wesley

October 26, 2005 07:46 AM | Link to this

Mike will never make a great political cartoonist because he is so biased. He is a great liberal, but a sorry political cartoonist. If Mike can’t cast a critical eye on both sides of an issue then he should go to work for the Democratic Party. I am sure that they could use some humor these days. The death toll in Iraq is tragic. No one questions that. Either you agree that we should be over there or you don’t. Either you understand the “why” or you don’t. Mike doesn’t understand it. My experience has been that it is best to avoid subjects that one does not understand.

By Dar

October 26, 2005 07:51 AM | Link to this

So I read these comments and there are a lot of people who say well, we did it cause he would have attacked us or he would have used WMD’s. He would have, I’m telling you he would have! What kind of @#$% is THAT?! Do you attack anyone who MAY or possibly attack you? That is utter and complete nonsense. These people haven’t a brain in their bodies. This war was a travesty and any one on the RIGHT side of history knows that. Awesome and powerful editorial.

By Nathan

October 26, 2005 07:53 AM | Link to this

Why? Is he dense? To show the world that U.N. Resolutions actualy mean something. To show the world’s dictators that they cannot go on endlessly violating resolution after resolution. To actualy verify what Saddam spent 12 years refusing to do.

How about a question for Mike; why spend your time trying to dissolve support for the war while troops boots are on the ground. It disgust me!

Since the inspectors were asked to leave Iraq before Clinton’s Operation Desert Fox in 1998 and did not return until Bush insisted, how can Mike and everyone else be sooooo sure that there were no WMD’s? Hind sight?

How about these questions; How many years should we give the U.N. to do its job? How many resolutions are enough to convince people that Saddam had no intention of complying? Does Mike think that things would have been better if some nation had enforced the Treaty of Versailles. Mike Luckovich, what does your work contribute to society?

By Paula

October 26, 2005 07:54 AM | Link to this

Oh Mike, this is so powerful. I sit here in tears as I write this. You are truly a gifted person, and I am very glad you use your gift wisely.

By William

October 26, 2005 07:58 AM | Link to this

In the case of those who died on 9/11/2001, liberals told us why- We were mean to muslims. Mike didn’t need to ask the question that day.

By E. S. Futrell

October 26, 2005 08:03 AM | Link to this

It is very clear that Mike doesn’t understand that Freedom is “free”, nor does he clearly understand the principles that this country was founded upon. This is very disrespectful to the servicemen and women who are out there at the point protecting the freedoms he and all of us enjoy. We should all know the Why…..

By Rick

October 26, 2005 08:03 AM | Link to this

How about and editorial cartoon showing the twin towers collapsing in the form of “because”. The price of freedom has never been cheap and never will be. Many thousands of men have died to give you the right to publish your cartoons. Cartoons that would have sent you to the concentration camps in Germany or the Gulags in Russia. The death of American Soldiers has paid for your right to free speech. Honor them and thank them.

By John

October 26, 2005 08:06 AM | Link to this

“…how does it feel to be on the wrong side of history?” Seem to me that supporters of the Viet Nam war said the same thing.

By John

October 26, 2005 08:06 AM | Link to this

So your children and your children’s children can live a safe life in a free society. It takes a bit of vision and recognition of harsh reality, but try Mike. History will tell you it was the beginning of a great democratic movement bringing freedom to many people.

By Mike

October 26, 2005 08:08 AM | Link to this

I am a soldier in the Army, currently on my second deployment to Iraq. I feel the loss of our Americans more than any of you who have never served, whether you be a liberal or a conservative. I will tell you this, we are making progress over here. Democracy is starting to take hold and we might be on the verge of ensuring that the Middle East is no longer the most dangerous part of the world. One of the sad truths of the matter is that the American media and public has become some casaulty averse. We are more concerned about the death toll than what is being accomplished on the ground. That is where we are going to lose the war, in the perceptions of everyday Americans. It would be a slap in the face of the 2000 names above to leave the job unfinished. As a soldier I would much rather fight the bad guys on their turf than fight them in Atlanta, Athens, Savannah, or Columbus. While I agree that one death is too many, as a member of the US Army, I find it discouraging to see the names of my fallen comarades used in a political cartoon.

By Que

October 26, 2005 08:09 AM | Link to this

It seems a lot of people here are full of emotion and not to concerned with fact.
Fact: Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. Stop using that as an excuse. Fact: France, Germany and Russia also believe that Iraq had WMD, but there soldiers are safe and sound at home not getting blown to bits. Fact: If anyone cared to do the research they would find this administration knew it was very unlikely that Iraq had WMD but wanted to go to war anyway so they misled the public. Fact: George Bush and Tricky Dick Cheney always talking about the public having to sacrifice, yet neither of these individual ever sacrificed a single hair on there head for anything in this country. Lets face it, George joined the guard to avoid Viet Nam and Dick plain said he had other things to do than to serve in our military.
I served 22 years in the military and never had a much disdain for a so called Commander and Chief as I have for this president.

I for one forbade my children from joining the military to serve under this jerk.

And one question for all you who spout that “freedom isn’t free” and “fight them there so we won’t have to here” crap. Just how many deaths are too many for you guys. Do we continue to loose lives in perpetuity or do you have a plan? Use your common sense. This war was a farce and that is all it is to it!

By John

October 26, 2005 08:09 AM | Link to this

“…how does it feel to be on the wrong side of history?” Seem to me that supporters of the Viet Nam war said the same thing.

By Ricky

October 26, 2005 08:14 AM | Link to this

Yeah Lyndon Johnson sure screwed up the Vietnam War, John.

By Mike NotL

October 26, 2005 08:14 AM | Link to this

…soooo.. how long has Mike L. had this on his drawing board waiting for the 2000th? Do you think he has permission from each of the families to USE their loss for his gain?

By Wild Sects

October 26, 2005 08:17 AM | Link to this

So you feel that Lyndon screwed up Viet Nam but Georgie is doing a bang up job? He is doing a bang up job but not in a good way.

By Ricky

October 26, 2005 08:18 AM | Link to this

Good point Mike notL, Lucko doesn’t care about whether the families of these great Americans would want to have their name used in a political cartoon to trash the war they died fighting in. He is more concerned with making his President looked stupid and corrupt

By Ricky

October 26, 2005 08:21 AM | Link to this

Wild Sects, I can admit that their have been mistakes made during this war. Can you admit that President Bush has accomplished some good things since he has been in office? Or are you one of those that believe he does nothing good.

By Voice of Reason

October 26, 2005 08:21 AM | Link to this

Some of you people are MORONS (psst. I’m talking to you Mike NotL)! Unless you know any of the names in that drawing or you or anyone you know is serving - just Shut Up!

By steven

October 26, 2005 08:23 AM | Link to this

Wow! And the AJC makes this worthless propaganda available as a download!

The AJC is not a newspaper. It is a liberal activism journal. Maybe that’s why thier circulation drops constantly. The good news is that they will be out of business soon enough. Good riddence to the who dishonest bunch.

By Ricky

October 26, 2005 08:24 AM | Link to this

Voice of Reason, I personally know three people in that drawing and I find it appalling that they are being used in a political cartoon by someone openly hostile to the war in order to make a political point. He doesn’t care about their loss only the political gain from it.

By steven

October 26, 2005 08:25 AM | Link to this

Hey Voice of Reason,

Are you on the list? Are you serving? Are you “shutting up”?

Are you a HYPOCRITE? Yes.

By steven

October 26, 2005 08:27 AM | Link to this

Voice of Reason,

If you would “SHUT UP” and listen to the folks who server you might learn something.

In the last election, serving soldiers and their families voted for Bush by more than 3:1. Why don’t you “SHUT UP” and think why that might be the case.

By Nathan

October 26, 2005 08:27 AM | Link to this

Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11, fine the 9/11 Commission report stated that. You anti war people want to call me ignorant because YOU think that I don’t accept that. Since you all have the “straight dope” on logic and resonable thinking, if we could kill UBL tommorrow would that be your brilliant long term solution to the global problem of terrorism. Wasn’t that called whacking moles and didn’t we do that for some years. Did it work?

Unfortunately the man you all think is soooo stupid is actually more intelligent than you. Does it hurt?

By Voice of Reason

October 26, 2005 08:27 AM | Link to this

Well good for you Ricky, I have 7 close friends in that cartoon, have been there twice, and I know for a fact that 6 of the 2,000 people on that list were asking the SAME question. Your dear President does the same thing when he talks about the “worthy cause” that they died for too. Truth is, most people don’t care about the loss of life unless it personally affects them. People are full of sh*t, and so is your president and his administration.

By bg

October 26, 2005 08:30 AM | Link to this

Mike used their names only AFTER Bush used their lives. Which is worse?

By Ricky

October 26, 2005 08:30 AM | Link to this

Voice of Reason, unless you aren’t a citizen anymore he is your President too. And since the military, espcecially the Army, voted overwhelming in favor of your President, I would say that you are in the minority. I have also served two tours(ground war and Operation IF 2.5) and honestly have not heard many soldiers ask why

By Voice of Reason

October 26, 2005 08:32 AM | Link to this

Hey look the morons are out to play. Yes I served, no I’m not shutting up. Serving soldiers voted for the president because we were in Afghanistan (justifiably), Dumbas* took us to Iraq when he had the support of the military and the American people with his LIES you fools. The military was excited to do our jobs and continue whopping as*. But after we got Saddam, our mission was complete! We didn’t go there to build a nation.

By Brad Clontz

October 26, 2005 08:33 AM | Link to this

This is thoughtful and poignant, and it is disingenuous to say that it is somehow “against the troops.”

The only thing now is not adding to the list.

By Mark Millican

October 26, 2005 08:34 AM | Link to this

2,000 American lives versus thousands upon thousands of Iraqis and Kurds killed by Saddam. Is our imperiousness and racism showing?

By rdd

October 26, 2005 08:37 AM | Link to this

To those who think we went after Suddam to remove a murdering dictator, why aren’t we in Darfur? Is it because there is no oil to be drilled or that the dying’s skin tone is too dark. Mike asked a good question which I hope the ‘Little Man’ answers one day.

By Carl Stone

October 26, 2005 08:38 AM | Link to this

Mike:

GREAT WORK!!!! Maybe, just maybe some of our politicians will eventually get the message and get us out of this stupid war!!!!!!

By Joseph

October 26, 2005 08:38 AM | Link to this

I guess tomorrow you will post the names of the 3,000 people killed on 9/11 in the same manner. I’m not saying that Sadaam had anything to do with 9/11 (noboby knows) but the time had come to draw a line in the sand after years of escalating attacks. IF PRES. BUSH LIED ABOUT WMD THEN SO DID BILL CLINTON, GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE, AND MANY OTHER COUNTRIES. Pres. Bush takes on the tough issues and doesn’t hide under his desk with interns. By the way, these 2,000 heroes volunteered for duty and should be honored not used as propoganda by a left wing rag.

By Larry

October 26, 2005 08:39 AM | Link to this

Why don’t you boneheads who support the mess the administration has made in Iraq, get your butts over there? I don’t see Bush’s daughter’s or Cheney’s daughter or Bush’s brothers offspring over there. It was entirely over control of the oil. Cheney’s company is screwing us taxpayers out of billions of dollars in Iraq, and now in the hurricane areas. It’s a damn shame some of you are so blind to the true facts. Today we should find out what Cheney & Rove are made of. Hopefully we can see them do THE PERP WALK.

By Mike M.

October 26, 2005 08:40 AM | Link to this

To question why is to seek the fundamental truth. We should always question “Why” on any topic as terrible as war. I happen to believe that this is a just cause we are fighting for in Iraq. That doesn’t mean that I don’t question that logic daily. Those on the right, please don’t be afraid of the question. Those on the left, you seem more interested in bashing the President than in exercising your right of protest. Reasoned dissent is one of the most powerful forces. Irrational slamming makes one look a fool.

By spankmonkey

October 26, 2005 08:40 AM | Link to this

As my younger brother undergoes rehab from a roadside IED outside falujah, I have to ask the same question. You chickenhawks slay me, not one iota of collective sacrifice amongst you, yet you dismiss the death and injury to our soldiers as a necessary evil to allow you the right to drive your Hummer with that yellow ribbon it, when in reality one has little to do with the other.

You can drive that Hummer regardless of whether Saddam is in power or not, and your “sacrifice” of 3 square inches on your bumper is negligible, I know this suprises you because you are so self centered, but sometimes the truth hurts…

By SGTLOWE

October 26, 2005 08:46 AM | Link to this

It is always good to question “why”. It is also important to have the wisdom that once the question has been asked, to be able to see the true answer. Even if it is one that you do not agree with, I am on my second tour in Iraq and have often asked myself why I leave my wife and two young boys half a world away, to come here. I see good reasons in the faces of the children here who have hope. And in the eyes of Iraqi soldiers who are willing to die for a belief in the freedom that they have only just tasted. Winston Churchill once said, “The price of greatness is responsibility”. America is truly a great nation, and there, is the simplest answer to the “why”. As a great nation we have responsibilities. Not only to ourselves but to others, the Iraqi people want to be free. I have seen it with my own eyes. America is doing the right thing. This war may not have stared for the right reasons but we are on the right track. Iraq will be free and history will prove our cause just.

By Jim

October 26, 2005 08:48 AM | Link to this

Why? Because the president rushed to judgement and was never willing to admit he did not have the facts or that because he didn’t have them, he refuses to admit his mistake. Why? because his ego is more important than the truth. He pays via popularity polls; others pay with their lives.

By gttim

October 26, 2005 08:48 AM | Link to this

I think the president is a drug snorting, moronic alcoholic who cannot complete a sentence without a teleprompter. I think he brought us into this war on lies to make profits for thewar machine- defense contractors. I think he has shown that most of the American people are rubes, who cannot weed the good information from the corrupt and conservative owned media. I hope he rots in hell.

I do, however, support our troops and their families. I want the GOP led House and Senate to quit voting down aid to the military and their families. I want the GOP House and Senate to quit voting down more appropriations for our veterans. I want the GOP led House and Senate to quit voting down more appropriations for armor for our soldiers on the ground. I want our soldiers home where they are out of harms way. I only want them deplyed when there is an honest threat to the United States. There was not an honest threat by Iraq.

I want Bin Laden hunted down and punished for his role in 9/11, not wandering around trying to hurt us again, where “W” has left him.

I want a President who cares more about human lives that tax cuts.

I want shared sacrifice, if people are dying the ones staying home should be paying more taxes to support them.

Thank you for a chilling cartoon, Mike. Like your cartoon about 9/11, which many people seem tohave forgotten, you get to the heart of the issue.

By Kay Robinson

October 26, 2005 08:50 AM | Link to this

Some of you people are very hurtful. I plan to keep this drawing and search for my brothers name tonight.

K. McCall, killed in action Nov. 2004.

RIP Big Brother. I love you and miss you very much. I never had the opportunity to prove to you that I could really make a good lasagna.

By NA

October 26, 2005 08:50 AM | Link to this

Mike,

This is an excellent question. Why didn’t we bring to trial and put to death all the american militia members after the Oklahoma City bombings? Those punks put a bomb next to the CHILD CARE CENTER!! That was a direct attack on a government building on US soil. We all know there were more people supporting that attack than the few which were put on trial. Where was the right-wing uproar over those lost lives? Why is it so easy for you to justify attacking and killing people as long as they don’t look like you? Each of you diehard “pro-war” folks need to take an honest look at your reasons for supporting this war. How many Iraqis who have died were members of Al Quaida (sp?) before this war? How many Iraqis are members now? What about Osama - remember him? I think a lot of you were fooled by the Bush administration. Now that it is clear that they lied to us, pride won’t let you admit he played you for a sucker. Bush is a con man. He’s not a Christian. He’s not led by God nor inner demons. He’s led by greed. Two thousand soldiers have died fighting an unjust war. It’s a shame that we have allowed this man to divide and distract our nation. But God can take what Bush meant for evil and use it for good. So, to all the soldiers in Iraq, our prayers are with you and your families. In the long run, I hope Iraq is improved by our intervention. I hope we have not just created a terrorist breeding ground.

By Richard Hamil

October 26, 2005 08:51 AM | Link to this

Hey Mike, read the 911 Commission report, listen to your idol Bill Clinton, and the UN inspectors.But,don’t confuse you with facts. You just hate George Bush and America. Thank God for these men and women who are willing to go to war for their country.If it were left to you, we would be in BIG trouble!

By Chris

October 26, 2005 08:51 AM | Link to this

Listen, you all question Bush and the choice he and his advisors made. Our country is a better place thanks to this 2,000 Americans who gave their lives. When September 11th happened, did you all think they died for nothing? We should all be thankful these servicemen gave the ultimate sacrifice to the one thing they love: THIS NATION!!!

By Mike NotL

October 26, 2005 08:59 AM | Link to this

Thanks to all of you that served as well. I personally know 6 of the 2000 and many others still there. But I will shut-up as requested.

By George P.

October 26, 2005 09:04 AM | Link to this

Why? To save and protect your sorry, ignorant rear end, Mike, and those of your family. Keep up the negative drumbeat. The terrorists just love it! That negativity is the best “aid and comfort” you could possibly offer. If we don’t beat them there, they will use their new base to strengthen, expand, and hit us and all other non-muslims hard. Then millions will die, and all of those will be on YOUR hands. Think about it. (I hate to break it to you, but gays and Jewish people will be the first on their “hit list”) You think they will like you and leave you alone if you support their cause the way you do? Think again.

By Mark

October 26, 2005 09:06 AM | Link to this

Our country is a better place because they gave their lives? In what way? I’d surely like to hear you explain that one. Name one thing that’s better after 9/11. I don’t see anything different from 9/10/2001.

By B. Hoffman

October 26, 2005 09:10 AM | Link to this

The question is why?
The answer is Freedom is not Free. It is has never been Free for the United States and it is not Free for Iraq.

God Bless the men and women who have fought for the United States, from the American Revolution to the present Operation Iraq Freedom.

By eric francis

October 26, 2005 09:13 AM | Link to this

Gee, I did not realize so many ostriches could type.

Or is this comment board dittoheads on parade?

By Voice of Reason

October 26, 2005 09:13 AM | Link to this

Good one George P. “Their new base,” as you put it was created by us. Too funny, way funny. Do you even know the difference between Al Qaeda and what is now called “Al Qaeda in Iraq?”

By Peter May

October 26, 2005 09:20 AM | Link to this

You nailed it. How can we afford to lose so many of our best to accomplish so little? I wonder if this list would be so long if one of the names on it was Bush…

By Tread

October 26, 2005 09:21 AM | Link to this

Good one Mike! I wonder what you’ll have for us when the 3,000th American is lost or for that matter the 5,000th? Because from the sound of some of these comments, we (Americans) think we should “stay the course”, yet we don’t have a clue of what the “course” is. And those of you that believe we’re fighting “them” over there - must not have noticed how porous our borders are - that security “blanket” may not be there in the near future, if we don’t start monitoring OUR borders better than we are. Wake up people, we’re fighting an ugly Religion-based war to get to OIL. Simple as that. GOD BLESS AMERICA and please deliver us from DUBYA!

By Ricky

October 26, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this

Here is the deal. I have served two tours in Iraq and lost several friends. I don’t care whether or nor you support he war or Bush. That is your right and part of what makes America great is that you can voice your dissent. I am all for that. I agree that we made some mistakes after the ground war. I was THERE to witness it. I am not saying it has been perfect there, but we are making progress. What I object to is using my fallen comrades as a political statement. I think that crosses the line. Us soldiers don’t get to ask why, we go out and do our jobs because that is what we do. Those serving are the best America has to offer. Mourn their loss, absolutely, but don’t use it for political gain. That is all I am asking as a veteran. Is that too much to ask? Am I wrong to ask this?

By Terry

October 26, 2005 09:23 AM | Link to this

It seems that Mr. Luckovich (like most of America) has no idea what terrorism is all about. It’s not because of anything the US did (or didn’t do).

It is telling the Usama never referred to his organization as al Qaeda until after 9/11. His organization has been and still is The World Islamic Front for Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders.

You should read that title again and make sure you understand it.

The core tenet of the “Religion of Peace� is jihad.

In the Qur’an, it is written that the world is divided into two sections; dal ar-Islam, the home of Islam, and dal ar-harb, the home of war (non-believers), and that this division would last until all non-believers were forced to submit to Islamic law or were killed – this is jihad. The word jihad doesn’t mean ‘Holy War’, it’s more like an Islamic Manifest Destiny.

For a Christian, the only way to guarantee eternal salvation is to accept Jesus as the savior. For a Muslim, the only way to guarantee eternal salvation is to die fighting non-believers. Jihad is as important to Muslim faith as Christ is to a Christian.

Why else would the Islamic world cheer and dance in the streets when a young Muslim dies killing women and children of non-believers. They know that the killer has assured his place in Heaven.

All Muslims must fight non-believers (and that includes Jews and Christians). But only those that die in this fight are guaranteed salvation.

Like it or not, this is the enemy. (If you don’t believe me, do your own research…but be thorough, don’t just rely on one or two sources.)

Any peace accord with this mentality would be as fleeting as Palestine/Israel relations. And anybody preaching tolerance doesn’t understand the problem.

By Jon

October 26, 2005 09:24 AM | Link to this

What you liberals just can’t seem to understand is that this invasion had little to do with 9/11 itself. This was about our future protection, providing freedom to millions of oppressed Iraqis, updholding UN laws!!! Something Slick Willy didn’t have the courage to fight for. Stop whining that you were “lied to”. Boo-hoo. Guess what? More Americans will die for us. What is sad is that this statistic is all over the front page, yet I see hardly a mention of the Iranian President’s recent comments against Israel. That’s right. Check it out if your lucky enough to find it. Mike Lukoloser doesn’t deserve to have a job selling hot dogs on the streets.

By Nathan

October 26, 2005 09:24 AM | Link to this

Well it is becoming more and more obvious that some people just have no problem with Saddam not living up to the 1991 cease fire agreement, by meeting HIS burden of proof to disclose the wherabouts of the WMD’s,which we provided him while he was fighting the Ayatollah Khomeini. They would prefer that we bury our heads in the sand and wait for the threat to become imminent so we could lose tens of thousands of lives. The narrow minded and short sighted attitude of the populace will destroy us like Rome. America, land of the fat, dumb and happy?

Maybe a higher power did send Reagan and Bush 43 to preserve this land, because the Dems have done little to nothing.

By Gil Gibson

October 26, 2005 09:31 AM | Link to this

The left could hardly wait for the 2000th soldier to die in Iraq. What a great opportunity to undermine the war effort, dishonor those who died and those who still serve and bash the President. Their glee can hardly be disguised.

By Anne

October 26, 2005 09:32 AM | Link to this

I look forward to your editorial cartoons every day. This one gave me quite a jolt this morning. Thank you for taking a stand against this awful war and remembering the men and women who have given their lives.

By Andy

October 26, 2005 09:34 AM | Link to this

Mike M, you’re right… To question why is to seek the fundamental truth. What I don’t see is the right wing of this country owning up to the fundamental truth that power and arrogance has totally corrupted the administration and the leaders of Congress.
Why, because there were profits to be made. Why, because they’d planned it all out in advance. Why, because war and chaos pay more than peace. Why, because they had the perfect shill to lead the effort. It’s all falling apart though, because the leaders were too arrogant and self-centered to see that it’s not about the excuses and lies that they used to get us into this war, it’s about them holding on to power and it’s about them getting richer.
Would you let your child lie to you and if it caused a single death, would you still accept the lie as truth?
2000 and counting. I don’t accept the lies.

By Mike

October 26, 2005 09:35 AM | Link to this

I liked the cartoon. It is always interesting to read other opinions that are contrary to your own. They seem to have all the answers while sitting here at home. While my nephew 23 yrs old starts his second tour in Iraq, its amazing to see so many cheer standing on the side as always.

By Que

October 26, 2005 09:36 AM | Link to this

Terry, you are telling people to research. You need to do more research yourself. I am a muslim and proud of it. I also have spent a full career in the U.S. Military, not Al Qaeda. How many years of military service have you given. I was wounded it the first gulf war fighting for this country.
Its people like you that perpetrate the misconception about what Islam is all about. I won’t sit here and argue the Quran with you because you obviously took a single passage and made a meal out of it. I’d suggest to you to stop being an idiot and read the whole Quran and not selectively reading parts that might support your one track mind.

By Richard

October 26, 2005 09:37 AM | Link to this

Nice support for the artist. “Sure, we’ll post his little anti-war picture but ‘instant focus group’ the guy on the very next line.

(Do you like Mike? check this box)

Do you do that with the Op-Ed pieces? What about the guy who writes the Sports? There’s opinion there.

The media used to help open the eyes of the people. Now, it’s asking permission.

By Stan

October 26, 2005 09:38 AM | Link to this

I can answer: Because the war is the right thing to do. Our soldiers believe it with enough conviction to risk their lives. They’re not victims, quit treating them like they are.

Who are you to question the value of their life, you low-life????

By Peter C.

October 26, 2005 09:42 AM | Link to this

Mike Luckovich poses a question that is on the minds of the majority of Americans both conservative and liberal. The simple answer is the politics of oil. The US has for the first time in recent history started a war rather than reacting to an attack on our homeland. Those who favour Bush suggest thatwe proactively went after Saddam Husein because he had the means (ie WMD’s) to attack our interests Lets face it what are our interests in the middle east? The answer if we want to be brutally honest Oil! The propaganda eminating out of the White House not withstanding, we did not go there to bring democracy and nation build, we went there to protect a vital supply of oil on which this country has become so dependent. For this we went to war with the subsequent death toll and for no other reason.

By Young

October 26, 2005 09:43 AM | Link to this

I reiterate: the people on the plane on 9/11 were Saudi. Take the war there where the people who actually died and killed our people live. Or would that hurt Bush relations with the Saudis?

Take the war to Afghanistan or Iran. That war would be justified. I honor my troops and support them. But talking against the war does not make me not support them. I respect what they do and their lives on the line. But if we go to war, take it to the people that started the war. Don’t deviate and go to the right. Stay on course.

By Ira

October 26, 2005 09:47 AM | Link to this

Mike - I used to think you were above the liberal, hate-baiting attitude of the AJC. This is even more reason I will not pay for this “rag” in print.

By hewhoasks

October 26, 2005 09:50 AM | Link to this

That had to be a lot of work.

Thanks.

By David

October 26, 2005 09:52 AM | Link to this

By Terry

October 26, 2005 09:52 AM | Link to this

Que: Thank you for a response. I am a military person (circa Viet Name era) and have done a lot of study. But, admittedly, I am looking at it from the outside with a western view of the world.

So, please explain jihad and the significance it has to Islam?

And, could you also explain the celebrations that occur after a sucessful terrorist event? Or why 80% of the Muslims in England would not condemn the London bombings?

I might sound biased, but I am at least studying and trying to learn.

By Ira

October 26, 2005 09:53 AM | Link to this

To Peter C.:

You are an idoiot!

By Bud

October 26, 2005 09:54 AM | Link to this

Young, We are taking the war to those who attacked us. The terrorist on those planes may have been Saudi born, but they were lead by a terrorist organization harbored by the Taliban. There were and are terrorist in IRAQ. Zaquari was there BEFORE we went in along with the terrorist who hijacked the Italian cruse ship years ago. Saddam harbored terrorist. He was also in persuit of weapons. Let’s face it, he wasn’t defrauding weapons inspectors due to pride. Though the media hides this, British intelligence stands by the claim that IRAQ was trying to acquire uranium from Niger. Hmmm…let’s see, what does a state, harboring terrorist, want to do with uranium? I’m sure they just wanted to make nuclear power. After all, Saddam was a nice guy, right? Further, you on the left seem to believe Bush should have done more to prevent 9/11 with less conclusive information. You need to remember that terrorist play a propaganda game too. They know that those bleeding hearts in the media cave to deaths. So they don’t have to beat us on the battlefield, only in our own newspapers. After all, blood sells more papers than rebuilding schools and restoring power, or reporting facts.

By JAS

October 26, 2005 10:00 AM | Link to this

It takes courage to value life over fear. It takes courage when you have been soundly proven wrong to then correct the mistake. It takes courage to have vision and stop making thousands of little Sadams that our children will have to deal with when we are gone.

Whether there are just things being done in Iraq or not is NOT the FIRST question. We are fighting an illicit war and all the world and nearly half of this country knows it. No matter that we are a powerful nation. The powerful must still lead with dignity, truth, grace and courage in order to be respected and followed.

By David Raiteri

October 26, 2005 10:03 AM | Link to this

I would try to explain the WHY to Mike & all his liberal comrads. But since Rush Limbaugh, Neal Boortz & Sean Hannity combined haven’t had much success with using logic on liberals, I will not even try.

By arman

October 26, 2005 10:04 AM | Link to this

Mike’s cartoon, in my opinion, is great. It has stimulated the debate that we are having right now. Like it or not. Left or Right. I agree with one of the earlier posters. Spouting hate etc at someone you don’t agree with just makes you sound stupid. Let’s ask why. We deserve that much. Those who have lost their lives deserve that much. It doesn’t matter id they volunteered or not. If I were one of those 2,000, I would want my friends and family to do the same, and I would think that they would deserve some answers.

Personally, I believe that we made a big mistake by jumping into the middle east the way that we did. People here don’t understand the cultural dynamics of the region. S** and Sunnis. Bathist. Iranians. Saudis. Kurds. Afghanis. Etc. As much as I want to believe that we are doing a good thing over there, my intuition won’t let me believe that. It’s not like liberating Japan in 1945. We basically dismantled a sovereign nation, and are trying to rebuild it from the ground up, and basing it on our idea of “freedom”. It sounds great on paper, and I’m sure it used to make Mr. Cheney all warm inside thinking about it, but it just doesn’t work that way.

The Iraqis wanted to believe that are intentions were pure. Most muslims were already skeptical in 2003. Then we invade, topple a terrible dictator (which was good, nobody can deny that in itself), but don’t even try to secure their national treasures (such as museums and historic cultural sites)while, at the same time, we go out of our way to police and secure the Oil Ministry. Bad start. Then we get done “liberating”. But wait, there’s an insurgency. OOh, didn’t plan for that. Yikes.

I don’t want to compare Iraq to Vietnam, but there are glaring parallels. I just don’t understand how we could not have anticipated some of the things that we experienced in the 60s over there. Oh wait, nobody in the administration spent any time over there. Anyways, are mission was essentially the same, except we were fighting a much more well equipped foe. However, we were faced with the same ills there: gorilla tactics etc, while fighting for the hearts and minds of the people. I don’t know. It’s all pretty overwhelming when you think about it. Our troops deserve all the credit in the world. They have been put in a terribly hostile situation, with no direction from our administration.

I’ve rambled. I have to thank Mike for making me think and asking myself “why”. It is not too much to ask that question of our leaders. It doesn’t make one traitorous or undeserving or the wonderful freedoms that we have here at home. An earlier poster questioned another’s fundamental understanding of our country’s founding simply b/c he followed Mike’s lead, and asked “why”. To that, I would respond to the later poster with a couple of quotes:

“How fortunate for governments that men do not think.” — Adolf Hitler

“Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country.” — President Theodore Roosevelt, 1908

“It is not the right of the people to question the government. It is their responsibility.� -Thomas Jefferson

THIS IS MY FAVORITE ONE:

“Why, of course, the people don’t want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship… voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.” - Herman Goering at the Nuremberg trials

By Mark

October 26, 2005 10:05 AM | Link to this

WHY?

Beacause Chimpy Mcflightsuit is an idiot.

By Voice of Reason

October 26, 2005 10:06 AM | Link to this

David - Very impressive list of fools you present us with. Well, Hannity is TOO bad.

By RLB

October 26, 2005 10:07 AM | Link to this

How soon we forget!! All you liberals and anti-war weenies had better wake up! The terrorists have not hit us since 911. Why do you think that is? Answer: The brave men and women of the US ARMED Forces. Yes its very sad they died but there isn’t a more noble cause! God Bless America and President Bush. How about supporting America for a change?????

By Huss

October 26, 2005 10:09 AM | Link to this

I understand now killing brings peace! its too bad no one came to help the slaves that builtthis country for 400 years!!.P.S. that wrong was never put right. maybe they should jusst have killed all of there massas for there freedom!! Lets make iraq like America where every thing is just peachy!!! Thanks for the insight yall I understand now!!!

By Michael H.

October 26, 2005 10:11 AM | Link to this

There were no connections between al Qaeda and the Saddam regime and according to the findings of the Duefler report there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Despite being told three times not to use the claim that Iraq attempted to buy uranium yellowcake from Niger the administration chose to leave it in the 2003 State of the Union speech and have other members of the administration repeat it. After the war was over they conceded that the documents were forgeries.

Perhaps the key to the “why” question lies in the remarks of Paul Wolfowitz who in March, 2003 told an interviewer for “reasons that have a lot to do with the U.S. government bureaucracy, we settled on the one issue that everyone could agree on: weapons of mass destruction.” When asked a month later why a nuclear power such as North Korea was being treated differently from Iraq, where there were in fact no weapons of mass destruction, Wolfowitz minced no words. “Let’s look at it simply. The most important difference between North Korea and Iraq is that economically, we just had no choice in Iraq. The country swims on a sea of oil.”

It’s a bit difficult to run the stock “liberal bias” line in the face of such documented candor from one the main policy makers behind this fiasco of a policy.

“W” has single handedly taken the good will that came from all corners of the globe after the September 11 attacks and squandered it in an unjustified war in Iraq. He has alienated our allies, angered the Islamic world only fomenting more terrorism, failed to capture bin Laden, had 2000 of our solidiers killed, and at least 30,000 Iraqis. This is what the world has to deal with because of the election of a faux cowboy, manifestly incompetent political illiterate. And all the huffing and puffing from the empty headed blowhards of the right, the Limbaughs, Boortz buttheads, Hannity’s and O’Reilly’s, their fans and those with the “W”s on their windshields cannot refute the truth.

By Mark

October 26, 2005 10:11 AM | Link to this

WHY?

Because Chimpy Mcflightsuit is an idiot.

By Ricky

October 26, 2005 10:11 AM | Link to this

Hey, keep up the name calling Mark, you are just continuing to help Republicans win elections. Thanks for you contribution

By BobR

October 26, 2005 10:15 AM | Link to this

The answer to “Why” has been available since before the first soldier died - PNAC wants to control the Middle East so that they can control the oil. It is a shame the media has been so cowardly the last 3 years, and has coddled Bush instead of reporting the stories that show the Bush crime family for what it is. They are finally getting some cahonas, and actually questioning Bush, so maybe the American people will finally begin to understand the REAL reason “why”…

By NAMVET

October 26, 2005 10:15 AM | Link to this

I’m with you all the way, Mike!

By Katie , Atlanta. GA

October 26, 2005 10:15 AM | Link to this

To all the families whom has lost a loved one, I would like to say that you are all in my prayers. As for the war, I do not support it, but I do support the troops, and I think we should pull out of Iraq. This country has actually made Iraq a haven for terrorist. I feel sorry for the children and women there, because they are victims to , and the individuals whom are being killed over there is someones son or daughter as well. A good point was made concerning the Bush administration, I do not see where any of their children in in the war, so I think they should make sacrifices as well, because they are americans to. Freedom is free , there is not price. Jesus payed the price on calvary 3000 years ago. So please stop using this as an excuse. If the United States would stop antonizing other countries and insulting them, and try to work peacefully without the arrogance attitude, then we wouldn’t have to fight. If we really went over to Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein out of power, then we have accomplished the mission, so “WHY” are we still there. I think it is a good question, and don’t say because of terrorist because we have some of those in our own country. Timothy McVay etc…..

By LEN

October 26, 2005 10:15 AM | Link to this

Mike boils issues down to the bone and exposes the skeleton in the closet. Yes the war may be right, it may be part of a plan to move the violence away from here. Fact is, it was never about weapons of mass destruction or routing out 9/11 terrorists. This war was started on a lie. The W folks don’t seem to mind being lied to or perhaps they are all in on the lie…either way the new presidential monogram is…WHY.

By kimberly

October 26, 2005 10:15 AM | Link to this

RLB, I have another theory as to why the terrorists have not hit us HERE since 2004: Bush told his long-time buddy Osama to stand down while he rapes the Iraqi sand for its oil and empties the US treasury into the pockets of his friends. Every time things look bad for Bush here, “al Quaida” blows up something somewhere else so we’ll all be AFRAID again. Why not ask WHY Osama is still living peacefully and well and unhindered by the wheels of justice? Why indeed!

By Voice of Reason

October 26, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this

hey RLB, I know a few recruiters! Why would terrorist waste their money trying to attack us here, when they are embarrassing us over there.

It’s kind like having a cat. Cat’s by nature are hunters. If you don’t feed them, they will go out and hunt food. But if you have the kitty chow in the bowl, why would they leave the house.

By ernie

October 26, 2005 10:19 AM | Link to this

Thanks Mike There is a political statment on a long black wall to.It was the same then. It is the same now!

By John W.

October 26, 2005 10:19 AM | Link to this

I am sick of Luckovich always bashing President Bush and our country. If you hate America so much why don’t you leave?? I will personally pay for your one-way ticket. George Bush is not perfect but he is far better than Kerry would ever come close to being. Or maybe you just miss Bill Clinton. Don’t worry Mikey.Hillary is just around the corner…you will be out of a job then. ( Thank God ) How about supporting America and our President for ONCE???

By bev

October 26, 2005 10:20 AM | Link to this

Why??? The answer is in the Holy Bible, read it! Read the Books of Isaiah, Daniel and Revelations. You’ll find your answer. Want to know what is going to happen in the future? Read the Holy Bible. Daniel 11:26… for what has been determined must come to pass! AND IT IS!

By Richard A. Line

October 26, 2005 10:22 AM | Link to this

It is sad that anyone has to die for any cause but if they do, it would be helpful if there was reference to other deaths, such as the 10 million children that die each year from preventable deseases(referred to in the same AJC issue) or how does the number compare to murders in the US or total miltary deaths outside of Iraq or etc?

By C Daddy

October 26, 2005 10:22 AM | Link to this

Why all the dead from the Embassy bombings in Africa, on board the Cole, in and around the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, in a field in Pennsylvania? How many people died on September 11, in the space of two hours? Freedom has never been, nor will it be, free.

By David

October 26, 2005 10:23 AM | Link to this

Thank you, Mike, for your courage in the face of dumbfounding ignorance of Atlanta readers. Rather than admit error in supporting an illegal war and re-electing the worst president in the past 50 years, they will supplant excuses (not based on real events) for this war. Fact: Saddam Hussein had no WMDs. Ask Scott Ritter, a real American hero. Fact: Hussein and Al Qaeda were not connected. Fact: There never was a plan to secure nuclear materials from Africa. Fact: Cheney drew plans for Iraqi occupation while GHW Bush was president. Fact: GW Bush and his co-criminals planned to go into Iraq prior to 9/11 and used 9/11 as an excuse, using American fear for their own purposes. Fact: There are now more terrorist threats than before the Iraqi invasion.
My opinion: Bush supporters are the most ignorant people in this country. Why? Because they let propaganda influence them against real veterans: Kerry, McCain, and Max Cleland. Because in the face of overwhelming evidence against the war, they still supported going in. And now with people still dying, they refuse to examine the faulty reasoning that led to this war in the first place.

By Mike

October 26, 2005 10:23 AM | Link to this

Andy:

“…Why, because they’d planned it all out in advance…

Out of one side of your mouth you are saying that the current administration is full of ne’er do-wells and fools. And yet you claim that they are capable of planning and executing madness across the middle east in order to profit from it. That response is not a reasoned one. That is an example of falling prey to every sound bite that has ever been uttered opposed to the Iraq conflict.

Can you honestly, in good conscience, tell me that the Bush administration created Middle Eastern animosity & hostility towards the west, got nearly all 100 senators (of all political stripes)to vote for the use of force, invaded a nation that is now in the fetal stages of a legitimate democracy in the long forsaken land of the middle east, only to profit from oil?

An argument such as yours cannot be defended or argued against simply because it is merely conjecture and hyperbole.

By Billy

October 26, 2005 10:25 AM | Link to this

Funny, it seems everyone’s answer falls into one of the Bush administration’s myriad reasons for going to war. 9/11, Freedom isn’t free, Fight them there so we don’t have to here…

How about some originality instead of the usual Republican talking points

By RLB

October 26, 2005 10:26 AM | Link to this

Kimberly and Voice of Reason…you both are obviously drinking from the same pitcher of Liberal flavored Kool-Aid. How ignorant you sound…yes its true…we went to Iraq to get their oil. Damn..how did you Einsteins figure that out? Understand this..Islamic Terrorists HATE America! They want to destroy America including you, your children, your parents, Christians, Jews, etc. Think for yourself once. President Bush made a very tough decision but it was the right decision. He was not preoccupied getting hummers in the Oval Office like your lovely Bill Clinton was.

By S

October 26, 2005 10:27 AM | Link to this

Aside from “WHY?”, here’