Does it make a difference if one of the soldiers captured is a

gal? Will the pictures of a daughter of America being tortured or beheaded make more of an impact than the other one that is a fellow. Maybe I am reading to much into a name though.
"The two missing soldiers are Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23, of Houston, Texas, and Pfc. Thomas L. Tucker, 25, of Madras, Ore."

People think he is a she because of the name spelling I think.


"I was 95 percent sure he was one of them," Menchaca's brother, Julio Cesar Vasquez, of Houston, told AP late Sunday. "I already had an idea because he was at a checkpoint."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060619/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

BAGHDAD, IRAQ - One of two soldiers missing and reportedly held captive by insurgents in Iraq is from Houston.

The Defense Department identified the man as Army Pfc. Kristian Menchaca, 23.

Menchaca and Pfc. Thomas L. Tucker, 25, of Madras, Ore., were apparently kidnapped Friday night in an attack on a checkpoint outside the restive town of Yusufiya. The Pentagon said Spc. David J. Babineau, 25, of Springfield, Mass., was killed in the attack.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3981775.html

But no, it doesn't make a difference. Every life lost is one too many, regardless of gender.

Damn, I hate Bush and his ugly war.

Tired Old Cynic

you must be close by?

The town is crazy, keep seeing media vans. Blasted national news can't pronounce our town's name right! Which doesn't surprise me, they usually butcher our State name too.

Let's hope Tommy and the other soldier are okay and found quickly.

a big story. It will all but wipe out the good humor generated by jr's media stunts last week.

Just saw a report on KATU news out of Portland, featuring the way Madras is rallying around the Tucker family. Yeah, I'm pretty sick of Ore-gone and have corrected more than dozens of "mispronouncers" through the years. I like Madras, know people who live there, and as most of this area it's growing 'way too fast (IMHO).

I'll keep good thoughts and prayers headed north for the Tucker family. Also saw that an Iraqi soldier from Milwaukie was killed on Friday. Our governor will order flags at half-staff, which I totally agree with, just so sad that it's done for that reason.

DU helps keep me sane. Hope it does you, too.

Blessings.

We are few and far between, us DUers. We should get together sometime. I don't know the Tucker family but it really pains me to drive past the farm and see the news trucks and gawkers. Slickly dressed mannequins standing before great cameras and uncomfortable family friends and family.

From what I hear they are a great family. I vaguely recall Tommy as I gassed up at Tiger Mart but didn't know him. He is everyson, I think.

Those poor folks from Milwaukie were not given the benefit of doubt. They were just told their son was dead. I am not religious really, but as near as I can say.. my spirits are with them tonight.

My work flies a big flag, I will make sure the guys adhere. Is there an alert system from the Governator for state flag etiquette... erm... flag duty? just curious

I was heartsick when I went online and saw that the Iraqis are stating the bodies of the two missing soldiers have been found. Army won't confirm, but it doesn't look good. Just so unutterably sad for the families and of course all of us. Sometimes words just fail me when it comes to this mis-administration and what they have wrought.

I'm not sure the governor can order flags flown at half mast on other than public (state) properties/facilities, but I would hope others that do display flags would lower them out of regard for the terrible loss of another Oregon soldier (or now, sadly, perhaps yet one more). Thanks for encouraging your company to do so, even if not required to.

I like your idea of local DUers getting together sometime to share our mutual concerns and commitment. There must be at least a couple more of our ilk lurking in these parts! ;-)

Blessings.

It's in heavy rotation on the local news. Those poor families, and all the other families of the dead and wounded.

But hey, old SnowJob says it's just a number...

A capture can sexually abuse their POWs regardless of gender. Rape and sexual humiliation of male POWs has been used for a long, long time. In recent history we have Abu Ghraib.