Folks that agree that veterans and current members have blown this out of proportion, I got some questions for you: have you ever been locked down in a staging area with no word of what you are about to go do? Have you even been on standby to push a unit that is about to deploy? Better yet have you ever served in the military or been on a rapid deployment unit? If you answered No, either one of those questions, you will never understand what we have gone through or what the current military members are going thru. Comparing Us to suicide bombers is not just spit in our face, but to also those that have come before us and those that fought to create this nation.

All we ask is for a public apology as we are no terrorist, but we are willing to put our lives on the line for this nation and for those that are not willing to do it themselves.

82nd ABN Veteran

If what you intended to say was the impression you intended to give, it didn't sound like that when you first said it. Several people, myself included, saw it as the impression you obviously realized afterwards, was the wrong impression. But I don't think we "aggressively" attacked it. We understand that standing in front of the world with a microphone and only so much time to convey your thoughts is a tough job. You're doing a fine job.

Well Brian, I think your statement amounts to something more than a simple misunderstanding. While I don't doubt that your explanation of it here is honest, the people on our "Team" that you directly compared to terrorists are owed an apology. Perhaps you think that offering one will serve as acknowledgement that your statement on Hardball was foolish and wrong, but that's what adults do- we admit our mistakes and apologize for them.

Thank you, sir. I am very glad you cleared that up. Many sites on the webb had blown your comments out of proportion.

Brian, your distinction was, and is, clear. There is certainly a difference between those willing to TAKE their own life (and the lives of others) to send a message ot achieve some goal and those willing to RISK their own lives for the protection of others.

Not sure how you could have been misunderstood. Keep up your wonderful work.

I served for 8 years in the military.
When in Basic training, our DI asked everyone in the room: "Why did you join the military".

Sad to say I was the only one who raised a hand (after the "for college", "I had nothing else" answers of 90% there) to say 'It was to defend our (American) way of life'
Food for thought.

In light of the actual story covered yesterday, this may seem trivial, but I wanted to say mad props to your graphics people, producers, and whoever else came up with the whole airport ticker board segue between the various reports across the States.
That was one of the most creative transitions I believe I've ever seen on the news.

i did not mis-understand your comments, brian. i KNOW americans die for our cause daily. i have known many who have died for our cause. my belief is,"to be borned free is an honor; to die free is a responsibility".
unfortunately the opponent we currently face is known for his cowardice. it is easier to "die for the cause" than to face the rage of the american public. if they were truly heros, they would don uniforms and face america's might on the field of honor.
unfortunately, the united states cuts its own throat with its laws protecting freedoms in religion. it is legal to be muslim. it is legal to be anti-american....in america! it is even legal to be an anti-american muslim in the united states! why? i dont think the founding fathers had this in mind when they drafted our constitution. i think they would have preferred ethnic cleansing.

It's still not the same thing. The suicide bombers have infinite targets - anywhere there are groups of people. Plus, they not looking for an end, per se- the means is the end. They just want to create confusion and fear. I think they all know the whole world isn't going to say "OK - you win - we're all becoming Muslim" so it's like a way of life to them. I can't help but think if we'd bought everyone in the middle east a 3 bedroom ranch home instead of invading Iraq we'd have made friends and saved money, but anyway, they don't have "targets" like the Marines, and that's why the Marines (Seals, who ever) are good for snatching a guy, but not waging this sort of war. We have to convince everyday arabs that they're better off if the suicide bombings stop. Without their help, we'll never win. Sorry if that sounds like a liberal idea - I know they're supposed to be extinct.

I didn't hear the comment that was "aggressively misunderstood," but (and I don't wish to question the bravery of our military) you can't reasonably equate being on a suicide mission to being willing to die for a cause. I think those who make the argument are probably saying that we value life - our enemies don't. We adhere to rules of engagement - our enemies don't. Fighting against an enemy that simply DOESN'T CARE if he lives or dies does add an element of futility.

I'm not saying that fanatical Muslims can't be beaten; but I do think it's going to be awfully tough to do using military might alone.

Our armed forces do teh best job they can but when we as normal citzens are fighting a " shadow" enemy it becomes a daunting task. All of the security checkpoints, confiscation of eye drops, and Poland Spring bottles may seem like it is helping, the terrosist mind is already onto the next thing, in the meantime they are not killing us literally, they are attempting to cripple our economy and ruin our way of life. They are currently succeeding.....