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I was disappointed to hear about the "sons" that died in combat, but not the daughters. Women gave their lives and deserve to be honored - to have died and then be completely ignored as if women didn't even participate is truly a DISGRACE.

Also when are we going to hear about the violence against women in the military perpetrated by their own "comrades". If you haven't heard about it yet, then read this:

Misogyny Rampant in the Armed Forces: 1 in 3 Military Women Experience Sexual Abuse
http://www.alternet.org/reproductivejustice/85099/?page=2

This is a very touching and well done story. To those who can only make feeble attempts to tear it down I say "Relax. Try to do one thing every day that is uplifting, informative or complimentary. Being able to pick nits is not a sign of intelligence."

right on J!

appropriateness and decorum is really THE paramount issue here.

When hundreds of thousands (including 4 thousand americans and uncounted foreigners) are slaughtered my first consideration is ALWAYS dignity and decorum.

if we lack decorum what are we beyond wild beasts?

let's keep things in perspective.

I revere the professionalism, skill and devotion of the U.S. military. I take exception, however, to being chided for not bothering to think about what the troops and their families endure. It's time to retire the journalist's cliché that Americans not personally connected to the military are oblivious to the hardships and the selflessness of the troops. Jim Sheeler's most poignant anecdotes are all too familiar, from news stories as well as from the history and culture of all wars. We get it. The person who appears not to is President Bush, who hasn't attended a single military funeral and has banned photography of flag-draped caskets.

That 'JTAJTA has to 'struggle' to see what is so offensive in Mr. Lehrer's mis-characterization of President Bush's comment- is PRECISELY what is so offensive.

Would you have anyone actually believing that President Bush 'thinks' that not playing golf in wartime equates to the sacrifice of even one American soldier giving up his life in the Service of America?!

If you are asked why you didn't wear brightly colored clothing to a relative's funeral- would it then be correctly said of you that you have given up wearing brightly colored clothing for your dead relative?

At issue is a matter of 'appropriateness'... vs. characterizing President Bush's comment as admitting to having made an inappropriate, meaningless political gesture- which is certainly not the case.

It's a abstract intellectual concept- 'struggle' on JTAJTA...

Jesse Califano

Jesse is right! What was brian thinking when he used such a disrespectful tone??

president bush has shown nothing but thoughtfulness and respect in regards to the men and women of the armed services...only putting them in harm's way when it was ABSOLUTELY necessary and giving them all the support the country could muster after that point. It has been an astounding performance on his part and i shake with rage whenever i hear his dignity impugned. shameful radio host behavior.

His considered decision to put a halt to his golf playing was both compassionate and a beautiful patriotic gesture. I am wiping a tear from my eye as i write this.

all hail president bush! sig heil!

brian....you had better learn some manners!

Yes, very moving interview - thank you. And to Jesse. I don't thik I understand the "gross mis-characterization" about Bush's decision to stop playing golf. Can you elaborate? What's the difference between Brian saying Bush "gave up golf" and - here is Bush's actual quote: "I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal."

I am really struggling to see what was so offensive about the way Brian Lehrer represented the President's decision.

The Sheeler story was very, very moving. Thank you for airing it.

To John: Of course there was a political reason, and I don't think that's a problem. But it doesn't make the book any less powerful or important.

Mr. Lehrer-
Your comment this morning that '. . .President Bush gave up golf for the war. . .'
is your politically inspired, gross mis-characterization of the fact in context!

President Bush was asked by a reporter- why it was he no longer plays golf. . .
and President Bush (paraphrasing), replied that he though it unseemly for the President to be seen by the public to be playing golf during wartime . . .

You should use your 50,000 watts to note and correct your unseemly characterization of President Bush's statement as regards this matter...

JesseCal@aol.com

Seldom if ever has your show caused me to cry. The Final Salute interview did.

As much as I understaznd how this young man feels, I can't help but feel there must be a political reason behind his book and his statements.

For those who were arouind for the II world war can you imagine what it would have been like as the names of thousands of soldiers dying every day were read off.

The politics of war has swung to the left and it is difficult to believe no amount of rationalizing will will make a difference.