Montana senator's nephew dies in Iraq

[OKNancy]

Montana senator's nephew dies in Iraq

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/breaking_news/15173991.htm

Montana senator's nephew dies in IraqSUSAN GALLAGHER
Associated Press
HELENA, Mont. - A nephew of Sen. Max Baucus was killed in combat in Iraq during the weekend, the senator's office said Tuesday.

Marine Cpl. Phillip E. Baucus, 28, died Saturday in the province of Al Anbar, the Department of Defense said Tuesday. It did not immediately release further information.

A spokesman for Baucus confirmed that the marine, who lived in the Helena area, was the Montana Democrat's nephew.

[Ptah]

1. Senator Baucus' nephew killed in Iraq.

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060801/NEWS01/60801002

Senator Baucus' nephew killed in Iraq

A Wolf Creek Marine was killed during combat operations in Iraq on Saturday, the Department of Defense reported.

Cpl. Phillip E. Baucus, 28, was killed in Al Anbar province, Iraq according to a Marine Corps spokesperson. He is the son of Wolf Creek ranchers John and Nina Baucus and the nephew of U.S. Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont.


Cpl. Baucus was assigned to the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Division of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, based in Twentynine Palms, Calif.

He was on his second tour in Iraq, which began in April 2005. A scout and team leader in the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Division, Cpl. Baucus was awarded numerous decorations including the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Action ribbon.

Cpl. Baucus enlisted in the Marine Corps on Sept. 13, 2002 in Lewis and Clark County.

[Greeby]

2. damn, bollocks and blast

:cry:

[flamingyouth]

3. Sad news

:cry:

[cali]

4. Yet another sad death

condolences to the family.

[RamboLiberal]

5. Note - while I don't know Cpl Baucus' Political Leanings

if any, I couldn't help but note that Senator Baucus is a Democrat. Seems to me the Dems have more kids serving (ank being wounded and dying) for the U.S. than the Repubs and neocons. McCain's son who joined the Marines is one of the rare exceptions.

RIP Cpl Baucus and my sympathies to the Baucus family.

[lostnfound]

22. He is a moderate Democrat and a very decent man, I believe

I'm not usually fond of but this one is an exception.

This is very sad news.

[BrotherBuzz]

33. He's the second Democratic lawmaker to lose family in Iraq

I believe Becky Lourey a Minnesota State Senator was the first. Her son, Matt, was killed in Iraq in May 2005. Lourey was a leading opponent in her state of the invasion of Iraq. In March 2003, she authored an antiwar resolution signed by eighteen other state senators. She said she spoke out against the Iraq war because “this war is alienating us from the rest of the world, and I believe that this occupation in Iraq is making Americans less safe."

RIP Lance Corporal Phillip E. Baucus and Chief Warrant Officer Matthew Scott Lourey

[Cocoa]

6. they will use this against Baucus

somehow. The GOP has to be on the attack at all times.

RIP Cpl. Baucus. :-(

[Greeby]

7. Using the death of a Dem's family member for a pro-Shrub/pro-war speech?

I can hear them calling up Jeff Sessions already :eyes:

[wellst0nev0ter]

8. Yes, Most Definitely

Look at what they did with Cindy Sheehan. They are not even scum. They are the scum that feeds the scum.

[geckosfeet]

24. they are the scum that even the lowliest, least evolved, most rancid

and reeking slime finds so vile that it will not eat it.

[brentspeak]

9. Look what they did with Paul Wellstone's death

Without any shame whatsoever, the GOP lied through their rotten teeth about what happened at his funeral just to score some political points.

[bluedeminredstate]

23. I'll never get over that...

as for Cpl. Baucus, very sad and tragic for him, his family as well as the families of the other soldiers who died this past week while America's stable of cable news readers head for Israel and Lebanon for "fresh" news.

[howmad1]

55. And let's not forget the moronic assholes who believed the lies.

[LetsGoMurphys]

64. Immediately what i thought of n/t

[Chulanowa]

27. They'll call in Fred Phelps for the funeral

You just now they have that little closeted motherfucker on speed-dail.

[LetsGoMurphys]

65. Oh but didnt you hear

the right is pawning him off on us.

[Chulanowa]

75. Oh sure, that makes sense...

Must be because of that evil left-wing commie pinko hippy queer muslim organization, the ACLU, right? Almost as bad as activist vegan judges!

[flygal]

34. Burns is already running some trashy ads against Tester

using the words East Coast Liberal - I guess that's supposed to be offensive to us Montanans. Never mind it seems most fancy pants liberals running for office spent more time in uniform than red necky repugs.

[Crunchy Frog]

10. One of the few politicians

who actually had something personal at stake in this war.

I almost wish it were a requirement that all public servants have family serving in the military. It might make this kind of military adventure less likely.

Condolences to the Senator's family.

[Eurobabe]

36. Sad news for the family

PS. Crunchy I love your photo and tag line!! JOEMENTUM's going to propel Lieberman right out of his seat.

[theanarch]

11. a question: does anyone know how this is playing out...

...in Freeperland?

[VP505]

13. His tragic death may go

unnoticed as they are too busy swift boating Murtha!

[maxrandb]

68. Put on my "hip-waders" and ventured over to the dark side

Most of the posts are in the "Bless our troops/pray for his brave soul" model, but I did find these "gems".

I'm convinced that the below posters are not human. Posters like these really help me "understand" the 30%.

To: dogbyte12
My prayers go out to Phillip Baucus and his family. This young man, the strength and future of our great country, has given his all so that we may remain safe and free. As for the Senator, his uncle, I hold him and his political party, the Democrats, partly responsible for all the deaths and injuries to both our military and innocent civilians in the war on terror. The Senator's political party has been an active enabler, aider and abettor to the enemies of the United States. The Senator, as far as I am concerned is a traitor to these United States, and should be ashamed of his role as a Democrat politician. May this wonderful young man rest in peace, and may he never be forgotten by the people of the United States whom he protected with the ultimate sacrifice of his young life.



18 posted on 08/01/2006 4:36:30 PM PDT by JLAGRAYFOX

To: dogbyte12
Earlier this summer, he joined other Democrats in voting to begin a phased redeployment of troops from the war-torn country by year's end.
I wonder if, in mourning, he will take a moment to reflect on the blood on his hands.


27 posted on 08/01/2006 5:25:57 PM PDT by thoughtomator

To: OldFriend
There is also significant splatter on those who encourage the terrorists to continue their war, who give them rhetorical, intelligence, and/or material support, and lead them to believe that they can win - for example, Democrat Senators who vote to pull the troops from Iraq and who say the war is a "failure", giving the enemy a boost to their morale and encouraging them to kill more US troops, like the fine and brave Marine Corporal that is the subject of this article.

May the soldier rest in peace, and the Senator never rest soundly again.



30 posted on 08/01/2006 5:39:35 PM PDT by thoughtomator

To: bpjam
Oh Boy! Here we go another Sheeham in the making! My sympathy to the family! A hero in the hearts of the American folk...God bless his soul!



5 posted on 08/02/2006 8:46:59 AM PDT by RoseofTexas

[meganmonkey]

74. Good god, Joe McCarthy must be proud

:puke:

[rodeodance]

12. just heard that one more US troop was killed today (and one UK)

[pokercat999]

14. Did Senator Baucus vote to allow shrub to do as he

pleased with our military? Has he offered continuing support to the "war effort"? Just a couple of questions I really am not sure of the answer, but my guess is yes to both.

[xynthee]

17. He voted "yea"

Wow! The guilt he must feel!

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00237

[xynthee]

18. I might add that the IWR vote took place on Oct. 11

and his nephew enlisted in September. So he knew he was sending his nephew into harm's way. I can't imagine!!

[Justitia]

19. Well, he voted for the IWR, if that's what you mean. I wonder if he feels

any differently about his vote today. I would feel so horribly responsible to my sibling for that vote.

Then again, I would never have voted for it in the first place.

I'm not kicking a man when he's down, I'm just intellectually curious as to his perspective considering the matter has hit quite close to home.

I have no idea as to his attitudes on the war since his vote for it. He may have already turned against it and regrets his vote. He may defend it more strongly than ever. I really don't know.

[ladysable]

37. Why should he feel responsible?

I didn't realize that Max became an insurgent driving a fuel truck.

[havocmom]

39. Welcome to DU, ladysable

:hi:

Happy to have you with us. We are stronger for the thoughful reminders from our new friends here. Might even run into an old friend or two along the way ;)

[Justitia]

41. Because, bottom line, his vote sent him there. But of course you knew

that's what I meant didn't you?

I guess you wanted the boiled down version?
About how his nephew wouldn't have been in that death trap if his uncle hadn't sent him there?

Anyone who supported this fucking dead-end, lie of a war, is ultimately responsible for these soldiers' death - do you now understand my position?

Or, do you support this war?

[havocmom]

46. You might read the lady's post again

and ask yourself how does she know more than the press has released about the incident. Perhaps she is someone who just lost a relative...

You might consider you were a tad hasty is asking if she support the war

You might consider that she knows more than one vote gave bush war powers and that Max is not the guy who is responsible for the war.

Save your venom for those who deserve it. Leave grieving families the hell alone.

It doesn't help things to blame victims when there are some real war criminals to hold accountable.

[Justitia]

49. I read her post, it was a total smartass response.

And in every case you mentioned, it does not excuse those who are ultimately responsible for sending these soldiers to their deaths - the Congress that voted them off to Iraq.

Bush could not have sent those soldiers there without the vote of the Senators and Congressmen.

Save your venom for those who deserve it - the ones who sent them to their deaths, not me.

[havocmom]

56. Phillip Baucus was her cousin

Thank you for outing yourself as obtuse and rude.

[Justitia]

58. Then, it is for her cousin that I grieve. Who knew this insider info was

allegedly being passed between the two of you? It doesn't change my position that whomever voted to send him to his death has some things to answer for.

I also have a nephew currently in this conflict and I don't let anyone forget who voted to send him there.

INCLUDING MY BUSH VOTING RELATIVES.

[havocmom]

60. We all have people we care about deeply in this conflict

It doesn't make it wise to take shots at the families of the fallen.

I know a few people who lost a memeber of their family the other day. They don't think it is a license to be rude and insensitive at a time of someone else's grief.

And, I hope your anger about the war does not spill over into areas where it does no good. Best to spend the energy solving problems.

Don't like Baucus? Campaign for someone else when he runs. Write LTTE critical of his votes. But toss it about in a thread about the death of his nephew? Not the best tactic if you really want to help the DEMS make changes.

Sorry about your bush hating relatives. Yell at them about it, not me. I voted for the other guy.

[Justitia]

63. Wow. So, no wondering how a Senator feels about his IWR vote huh?

I simply wondered out loud if he felt responsible to his sibling (nevermind the rest of the world), for his war vote.

That has been spectacularly twisted into "taking shots at the families of the fallen".

It is precisely to those families whom Congress should answer to.

It's really rude and insensitive of you to think THEY don't deserve an explanation.

[ladysable]

67. a smartass response, huh?

So you obviously can't handle the truth? It wasn't a smartass response, I was stating the truth.
The government isn't killing our soldiers, it's the insurgents that are. The Iraqi soldiers are
thankful, appreciating our troops being over there. I have another cousin heading back on a
2nd tour in January, do I want him going back? No, of course not, but we are helping another
country in need of help. He knows that, and so did Phil. Back off and let my family grieve in
peace. To all others who have been respectful with their condolences, on behalf of my cousin
who is about to bury her husband, I thank you.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

71. Pro-Iraq war positions aren't exactly welcome here.

And with good reason.

What, you're going to tell me Saddam had WMDs TOO? That he put enemies through giant meat grinders? That Powell was telling the truth to the UN?

Whether you have people close to you in danger or not (and I'm sorry for you if you do) doesn't change the TRUTH.

[Justitia]

77. You support the war. I don't. We are poles apart.

You dropped into this thread, with a sarcastic remark and now you say "back off" and leave me alone.

We will never agree on this war.
I will hold those Senators who voted for this disaster responsible.
You choose to ignore their role in this.
That is your choice, but if you espouse that position on this particular board, you must expect some criticism of that position.

[karynnj]

72. Not true - as CIC he could and would have

He intended to before Senators and commentators demanded that he not go to war unilaterally and without support of Congress. The DSM in fact show that they would have manufactored "an incident". Forces were sent to the Persian Gulf months before the vote.

Senator Baucus did not advocate going to war. He voted on a resolution that the Bush administration pushed on the Congress and he was lied to. He is NOT on the Inelligence committee so there was a lot of information he didn't even get. This is BUSH's war - and now occupation - Did anyone vote for the US to have a long term occupation?

[Justitia]

78. So, everyone who voted for the war is absolved of all responsibility?

Sorry, I simply cannot agree with that.

Yes, Bush as CIC bears the penultimate responsibility, but every single mbr of Congress that voted to give him the power to unleash this horror is equally responsible.

An uncomfortable truth for Congress, but they made it happen.

[havocmom]

40. So, you add insult to his grief without finding out what he has done

since the vote to grant bush war powers? Nice. If you wanted to know that he has supported efforts to bring the troops home, ya could've asked.

Yep, Max, along with almost everyone on the Hill voted to give the pResident some authority to use force when all other efforts failed. Max voted in good faith, and after being lied to, along with ALL of Congress and the US People on what the situation really was. The WH is the party that created the war when it did not attempt, did not even plan to use other means to deal with Saddam.

And Baucus has supported the troops and efforts to get them home.

[PassingFair]

42. Almost everyone....

I can't let this go by AGAIN.

The MAJORITY of dems in the house voted AGAINST IWR.

The MAJORITY of sitting dems in the senate voted AGAINST IWR.

We SHOULD BE PROUD OF THAT.

Not oblivious to it.

[havocmom]

43. The votes came after neocons manipulated the intel, the media

the public.

Since more facts have come out, there has been more support for bringing troops home. Since facts have come out, there has been a lot of changes.

We should be proud of that too.

[PassingFair]

50. There were enough "facts" available at the time.

A yes vote was a craven, cynical vote for a dem to cast.

They could be on the winning side if the neocons
power grab came off without a hitch.
AND they could claim they were lied to if the more
probable "hell on earth" scenario was unleashed.

That cynical vote has cause HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS
of INNOCENT LIVES.

I don't give the MINORITY of elected dems a pass
on that.

We should be praising the representatives that
voted no war, not EXCUSING those who enabled it.

At the VERY LEAST, we should acknowledge that
democrats, as a group, were AGAINST the Anglo-American Invasion.

[havocmom]

54. I live in Montana, among Baucus' constituants.

He represented those constituants.

He doesn't need you beating him for anything as he helps his family bury their dead.

Is that how we want the country to see us? Rubbing salt in fresh wounds?

Why would we want to be thought of as people who would kick a man when he is down, of even be rude to any of a fallen soldier's family?

That is what I see here.

Hold the war debate at a different table. Support the troops and their families when the need arises. Do you feel we should be callous to families of fallen troops who voted for bush? That is not how we take the Hill again and start the business of repairing the tears in our society.

[Justitia]

45. Thank you. I can't believe this is even floating out here at THIS POINT.

Why are people (esp on OUR board?) excusing from responsibility those who started all this shit?

It's not like it was a unanimous vote, as you pointed out.

Egads.

[havocmom]

48. And why are people esp on our board being so hateful to grieving families

That is just plain obnoxious. It is also the sort of shit that Rush likes to read on the air to try and show how horrible and hateful liberals are/

So, why do you feel so strongly about attacking people who are grieving instead of putting that energy to better use?

One wonders... one wonders.

[Justitia]

51. Who the fuck is being hateful to grieving families? Nice distraction.

All I said in my original post was I wondered if he felt responsible to his sibling for his IWR vote. I said it was a matter of intellectual curiosity - being in the extremely unique position he is as someone who voted for the war.

I see you are trying to twist this into an apology for all those Congresspersons who voted for this war by attacking me as "hateful to grieving families". Ridiculous.

[havocmom]

52. Not trying to do anything but suggest people not attack victims

You seem to wanna twist my intent.

And you didn't hear what I said. You didn't think about it at all.

[Justitia]

53. The victim is Marine Cpl. Phillip E. Baucus!

Are you intentionally missing that very obvious point?

[havocmom]

57. And you are attacking his family

Why?

[Justitia]

59. HOW am I attacking his family??? -eom

[havocmom]

61. Being hostile to Max Baucus or any family members of a lost trooper

at the time it is announced that Max lost kin is not especially thoughtful.

[Justitia]

66. "Hostile"? That is some serious extrapolation!

He voted for the war.
If the man has any shred of a conscience, he probably feels some level of responsibility.
This is what I wondered about.

Your blowing up of this matter seems like histrionics.

[PassingFair]

62. Apparently, by not agreeing that ALMOST EVERYONE

voted for the IWR....

:eyes:

[Guaranteed]

80. No, she is referring to Senator Max E. Baucus, (D) MT,

who voted to authorize Bush to invade Iraq, the consequence of which was the death of the Senator's nephew.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

73. You definition of attack is, to say the least, odd. Justitia is right. -nt

[Justitia]

44. Sorry, not buying this line: "when all other efforts failed", it's crap.

It's generous of you to give this man a pass on his vote to send these soldiers to their deaths, but I don't.

I knew it was wrong in the very beginning, so did MILLIONS of others. I would think a sitting US Senator would have at least the same capacity for judgment that I do. I give no passes for political expediency. And you are quite wrong to say "almost everyone", "ALL of Congress & the US People" - that is simply not true.

Supporting a time line to bring them home certainly represents progress in his position, but it doesn't excuse the ultimate failure of judgment in the first place. 2500+ soldiers have died, God only knows how many innocent Iraqis, AND FOR WHAT???

Sorry, but his vote is what set this action in motion, he has to live with it and face his family.

[Guaranteed]

79. Not only is it crap, even if it wasn't, it would STILL be wrong.

"Oh, well, we tried everything. So we're just going to invade despite the fact that he hasn't attacked us."

[flygal]

35. He voted to begin bringing troops home by year's end

according to the GF Tribune http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060802/NEWS01/608020305/1002

snip

Baucus voted to authorize President Bush to go to war in Iraq in October 2002, as did Burns and Rehberg. In June, Baucus voted in support of a nonbinding resolution that called on President Bush to begin withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq by the end of the year.

[Monkeyman]

15. RIP Sir

[AnOhioan]

16. Another unnecessary death

Condolences to the family and the Senator

[NVMojo]

20. right on, it doesn't matter whose nephew ...or niece ...

[stevedeshazer]

21. Max is for the war

Nevertheless, I wish his family well. :(

[TheCowsCameHome]

25. So very sad. RIP Mr. Baucus.

[bigwillq]

26. How sad.

RIP young marine. :cry:

[JohnLocke]

28. "so others might live..."

Rest in peace.

[leesa]

29. "so others might live"?? What does that mean?

If the US wasn't over there fighting them all sorts of Iraqis would live.

[Erika]

31. Saddam had zilch to do with 9/11 nor were the Iraqis ever

a threat.

This was W's war of choice.

[JohnLocke]

32. Who said anything about that?

Not I. :shrug:

[Erika]

30. Heard of any of the Bush tribe enlisting?

How very sad for this demcocratic family.

[Anakin Skywalker]

38. Bacchus Did Vote

for war. He might have changed his tune later (I do not know).

[Catchawave]

47. RIP Cpl Baucus

[UDenver20]

69. His Contact information

Senator Max Baucus
Montana (D)
[phone]
baucus.senate.gov/contact/emailForm.cfm?subj=issue

[JNelson6563]

70. Another wasted life

Sad news. :-(

[scarface2004]

76. too effin bad!!!

asshole wanted this...now s he got it! bush bootlicker can go to hell!!