Mike Luckovich

By gttim

May 19, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this

Thanks Mike. Thanks for the sotries and thanks for seeing these troops.

By gttim

May 19, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this

Thanks Mike.

By Lord Help Us

May 19, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this

Thanks ML,

These real heroes seem to be ‘swept under the rug’ by an administration that doesn’t want the public to fully understand the horrors of war and a complicit MSM.

Unfortunately, the realities of the severely wounded at Walter Reed pale in comparison the the severely wounded Iraqi citizens and Iraqi Security forces that have borne the brunt of this war.

It’s The Reality, Stupid!!

By Eric

May 19, 2006 08:27 AM | Link to this

Well done, Mike.

By @@

May 19, 2006 08:32 AM | Link to this

This was a nice gesture. The image depicted in the cartoon was heart-felt. As somebody who always examines the motives of everyone except our troops (I know theirs), I’m giving you an “A” on this one because you included this comment:

They just wanted someone to listen to them. And many of them wanted to go back to Iraq, to support their buddies they had left behind. It was really amazing, especially when you look at these kids, missing legs, lying in a hospital bed, and they’re talking about their friends that are still over there.

Our hearts are tender, theirs are brave.

By Liberal Texas Democrat

May 19, 2006 08:45 AM | Link to this

“You know, what I’m trying to do is tell this story as much as I can, and that helps me not to keep it bottled up.”

Hey Mike, sketch this:
It was early morning about 32 miles southeast of Duc Pho., 20 JUL 69 I was walking point along a path up the hill through the grass. We’d just stopped two VC carrying bamboo down the hill when the air compressed around me, like diving into a pool. Have you ever dreamed of falling? That’s what it’s like. There’s no pain, that comes later. I’m thinking, it doesn’t hurt, must of missed me. I’m thinking I’ll just keep going, walking. . I’m like John Wayne except I’m all tingly … falling, and my thoughts change to making sure I wake up before I hit the ground. Everyone knows that if you dream that you’re falling you have to wake up before you hit bottom or you die. Then I’m on the ground, I’m not dead, but I can”t breath. I taste blood, I can’t breath. I think, Doc’s on his way .. it’ll be OK. Be calm. Spit .. breath a gulp, spit … breath a gulp. Someone turns me over. They’re talking, but not making sense through the ringing in my ears, a lot of shouting and the sound of a chopper and mermite cans hitting the ground. They were making room for me on charlie charlie already in the area bringing the colonel and a hot meal for a meeting with the CO. There’s pressure on my throat as DOC does a P38 improvised tracheotomy, (which will marvel air force doctors in Maryland during my journey home) I’m breathing again as they load me into the chopper and I pass out as my head rests on the floor and I feel the thumpa thumpa thumpa of fast idle before take off.
I came to in Japan, I’d missed my twenty first birthday, and the AFRVN broadcast of the moon landing, but what the hey I’m alive and even with all that happened then, and since then, being alive is a good thing.
Excellent ‘toon!

By Mark

May 19, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this

Thanks Andy for giving a shot of reality to the ididots that support this mess. Young guys getting blown apart because of a vendetta.

By Gil Gibson

May 19, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this

Now maybe Luckovich will think twice about using wounded soldiers as props in one of his anti-Bush cartoons.

By 8 To 5 Andy

May 19, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this

Mark: I’m not sure what you are trying to say but this is a great opportunity to clarify my position in this. I do not support using the troops for political gain, in any way, shape or form, period, end of that discussion.

What I do is support the mission that these honorable men have volunteered for. They saw, just as sure as I did, the 3000 innocent people getting slaughtered because of the weakness the killers perceived in the will of America. Our brave, dedicated soldiers know that if we fail, the Islamic terrorists will be emboldened to kill more Americans, women and children who are unable to fight back. Is that what you pacifists want?

Do you want to replace the sacrifices of our brave soldiers with the pointless suffering of children wounded by suicide bombers? Do you want to put our elderly on the front line of this war and let them be maimed and killed? Do you want more innocent office workers jumping from skyscrapers to their deaths?

Our soldiers know what they are fighting for, if you don’t believe me, just ask them:

And many of them wanted to go back to Iraq, to support their buddies they had left behind. It was really amazing, especially when you look at these kids, missing legs, lying in a hospital bed, and they’re talking about their friends that are still over there.

By getalife

May 19, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this

Thanks for doing that for the troops Mike.

LTD,

Thank you for your service.

• being alive is a good thing.*

A good thing, indeed.

By Ex-Navy

May 19, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this

Thanks for the stories and thanks for caring enough to write them. If you’re ever in the Duluth area stop in to Chattahoochee Post 251 of the American Legion and I’ll buy ya a couple cold ones.

By Pam Davidson

May 19, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this

mike:

I cried when i read these stories. I wrote a note to my personal friends and sent them the article and asked them to make the connection between our actions and the sacrifices of thesse young people. I asked them to make a committment to change this country’s direction. Irregardless of your political beliefs - it is undeniable that we are funding terrorism with every gallon we buy. The Emporer has not clothes- and we are at a crucial and frightening juncture. I don’t care about keeping quiet- My cowardice is indirectly supporting this tragedy. I refuse to be a part of something that makes America weak and dependent.

By AShyGirl

May 19, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this

KUDOS

Mike, Thanks for telling their stories!

By tiff

May 19, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

mike, your a good guy for doing this story, our soldiers are the best and should be recognized as such—may god bless all of our soldiers at home and abroad and may god bless you. our country is great—the wonderful people in our military and people like you make me happy to be an american.

By Ricky

May 19, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

It is amazing to me that people can’t come to the unified view that these wounded men and women are the hereos of America. There is no need to invoke any politics when talking about this great Americans. Leave that stuff for another discussion. These guys were willing to sign up and do their service during a time of war, fully knowning where they were going and what they were going to do. They embody all that is right in America. While most of the posts on here embody all that is wrong.

By Daniel

May 19, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Mike. The devotion of the men and women in service are in the best American tradition. They represent the best that is within us. Our leaders have betrayed them, and us, and America. Veterans and America deserve honesty and truth in government. We have gotten neither.

By Buy Danish

May 19, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately, the realities of the severely wounded at Walter Reed pale in comparison the the severely wounded Iraqi citizens and Iraqi Security forces that have borne the brunt of this war.

Let’s not ever forget these comments from a certain blogger known as “Lord Help us” (or LHU for short). Let’s pray he/she never makes the trip to Walter Reed.

Ricky,

Your comments are right on. Thank you.

ML,

Thanks for spending time with our wounded men and giving them a voice.

By Ellen Dickson

May 22, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

Your article on “Heroes” brought tears to my eyes and goosebumps all over. These young people are awesome! My husband was in the Air Force during Korea, my son was a Green Beret in Vietnam and I am a retired police officer (37 years on the job) so I can relate very well to the bravery and camaraderie displayed. Love your cartoons - keep up the great work!!

Ellen Dickson Acworth

By finch

May 22, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this

Suck, where have I ever said that I don’t read your posts?? Okay, so I only glance at your overnight rantings, but their oddball humor and warped links to fellow ranters make for a cheery start to my day!

That and a cup of coffee!

But I limit my responses now to reasonable hours. Your unfettered idiocy stands on it’s own during the swing shift…

By Midori

May 22, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

Buy Danish,

you’re just a boorish hag. I tire of you and your self righteous hypocrisy.

Are you sure YOU’RE not “Andy’s Mom”?

Go enlist, b*tch. Do something for your country other that sit on a blog posting all day about how smart you are.

Cow.

By finch

May 22, 2006 08:17 PM | Link to this

I saw Mike’s essay and artwork in the AJC on Sunday and was very moved. He and his three friends avoided any direct judgement on the rationale or morality of the Iraq war, but they did show kindness to and empathy for the soldiers wounded in this conflict. Kudos.

Remember. We have an obligation to do what Americans in uniform should not. Question the leaders who put them in harm’s way.

By getalife

May 22, 2006 08:25 PM | Link to this

If you get a chance, watch this

By Buy Danish

May 23, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this

Midori,

It’s so classy of you to use this forum for your psychotic rants.

Why don’t you just get it over with an unleash every foaming at the mouth, derogatory expletive you can think of like your soulmate, “Godzilla”?

By Angry Liberal Guy

May 23, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

By the way Andy - I TOLD you DRUDGE was full of hooey:

Matt Drudge is looking for any excuse to smear Al Gore and his new movie, An Inconvenient Truth. He’s been running this story, unsourced, all day. […] (Saying Gore took an entourage of SUVs to the premiere of his movie in Cannes.)

ThinkProgress contacted Gore’s representatives, who unequivocally confirmed that Al Gore and his associates walked from the Majestic Hotel to the screening at Cannes. Further, Paramount has committed to making the entire tour promoting the film carbon neutral.

By Buy Danish

May 24, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this

Paramount has committed to making the entire tour promoting the film carbon neutral.

ALG,

Please tell me that you have been nic-jacked and this is a joke. I want a carbon recap when this is over!

By Rick

May 26, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

Mike, Thanks for bringing attention to the sacrifce made by those who have gone in harm’s way for our country.

I spent time at Walter Reed between tours to Vietnam and, it was in Ward 1 and throughout that hospital that I learned the true meaning of courage, perseverance and unfaltering dedication. Dedication by the soldiers to each other and by an overworked, but seemingly tireless staff of doctors, nurses, physical and occupational therapists.

The courage of those who have endured the challeges of learning to cope with life after traumatic injuries can be witnessed this Memorial Day week-end as members of the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride transition through Atlanta riding bikes from New York to Los Angeles. Info is provided on the Woundedwarriorproject.com website.

Their dedication to showing that “life goes on” could certainly use your support and the support of all the AJC readers.

Thanks…