Oregon Soldier Found Dead

Tucker Two soldiers missing in Iraq since last week have been found dead.

U.S. forces on Tuesday recovered the bodies of two American soldiers reported captured by insurgents last week. An Iraqi defense ministry official said the men were tortured and "killed in a barbaric way." Al-Qaida in Iraq claimed responsibility for killing the soldiers, and said the successor to terror leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi had "slaughtered" them.  (AP)

One of the two men was Pfc. Thomas L. Tucker, 25, of Madras.  The Oregonian has the audio of a recent telephone call home from Tucker posted online.

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    We should all pray for Tucker's family and friends. This will be devastating for them. It is bad enough to lose a son in an unpopular war, but this is about as bad as it gets.

    Having said that I would like to have those Republicans in Congress that are repeating the Bush mantra, "stay the course, don't cut and run" to attend Tucker's funeral and face the family and then do it again the next week and the week after that with other families as our Governor has done. How many funerals has Senator Smith attended? These chicken hawks want to stay the course with someone else's children, not their own.

    And for what purpose? What is victory? Whose side of the civil war are we on? How will we know when we "win"? What did Tucker die protecting? Not America. The Sunnis? the Shia? the Kurds? The 10-20% of Iraqis who still want us there? The Iraqi army is over 300,000 troops. How many have to "stand up" so we can "stand down"? We did what Bush said he wanted us to do a year ago. They have a government, they have an army. Both the people and the new governments want us to leave. Why on earth do we insist on staying. Let's call that victory and leave so more Tuckers are killed.

  • Sr. Mary Hasta (unverified)
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    May light perpetual shine upon them.

  • BlueNote (unverified)
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    My sympathy and respect to the family and friends of every person killed or maimed in this horrible and unjust war. In their memory, I promise to vote against EVERY Senator or Representative who voted to authorize the invasion of Iraq or to approve any of the subsequent funding measures. I don't care what their party affiliation is or what BS excuse they may offer for voting to support the war, I won't vote for them.

  • Brian (unverified)
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    May Pfc. Tucker rest in peace.

    It is time to end the occupation before we have another 1,000 Pfc. Tuckers.

  • EJ (unverified)
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    You can't spell quagemire without I-R-A-Q -- The modern version of Vietnam without Woodstock.

  • Idler (unverified)
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    Well, one thing's for sure you can't spell quagmire.

  • Joe12Pack (unverified)
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    Think I'll pause to honor this young mans life and sacrifice rather than attempt to co-opt it for political purposes.

    God bless Thomas L. Tucker, his family and friends.

    Peace

  • Stella (unverified)
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    Joe12Pack:

    Too late. You already did.

  • Abby Norml (unverified)
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    The modern version of Vietnam without Woodstock.

    Why not? It's summer and this is Portland.

  • Sid (unverified)
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    No draft = No Woodstock

  • ron pyle (unverified)
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    there is no standing down form radical, hate filled islamists my children are facing them if my time ever comes, i suppose that I will do what is necessary to kill them as well no one sends their children to war, no one sacrifices their kin in battle and individual deaths are not the price paid (or negotiated) death is a consequence of combat, poor choices, murder, accidents and the like (not to mention old age) and what these soldiers have done, in their lives is an honored testament to being good people and great Americans. they want to win this war and I want them to complete their mission and as for the quagmire- review the history of the past 365 days and these soldiers successes in Iraq bush, lies, wmd... is past. what we are doing now, in Iraq, is of great importance bluenote: you cannot vote against every legislator who authorized the military action in Iraq If you can vote, it is only for those in your district who stand for your values.

  • reneeclarke88 (unverified)
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    Nothing has happened in the last 365 days. All the elections and successes, and killing of insurgents is made up. the millitary has fabricated these lies in order to generate more support for the war. This war is unjust. It was not started because of oil or WMD, but because Bush had the hairbrained idea that it would help lower the trading gap defceit. And Cheney only backed the war because he was hoping to get a summer home on the Tigris river. And let's not forget about the Iraqi gold reserves that were stolen and used to fund the anti gay rights bills. I think it's bluenote's right to vote against anyone he chooses. And it is our right to walk away from this unjust war.ONe more thing that you must remember: Iraq is only a pawn in the religous war between the Jews and the Christians. We need to support Iraq by giving them whatever they need.

  • Gecko (unverified)
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    ReneeClark88:

    Assuming you're not joking, you need to reschedule that appointment you missed with your doctor without delay. And tell them the medication isn't working: you're still hearing the voices.

    If you're doctor is unable to see you immediately, please go to the nearest Emergency Room, and tell them you need a psychiatric evaluation immediately. Show them a copy of what you typed above, and they will understand.

    Good luck!

  • BOHICA (unverified)
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    "I want them to complete their mission" I'd just like a defined mission. I've been to two funerals of Oregon casualties and the pain was so great I can't go to another one. I can't imagine what the families go through.

    The families of the killed and wounded on both sides will never forget. Lets hope they can forgive. ".....It's about changing minds before it's about killing people." Words to live by from a retired 4 Star General

  • You're next (unverified)
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    Those who butchered Tucker would just as soon chop up you and your children too.

    By machete, plane, bomb or lawn mower.

    The desire to surrender to them under the delusion that peace will follow is crazy.

    Too bad so many of you find your own country the cause of the barbarians actions.

  • Thedude (unverified)
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    And the cycle continues. Old men send young men off to die, while the fearful cheer them on. We never learn and the young and impressionable pay the price.

  • Gecko (unverified)
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    You'll never guess where they've found 500 Weapons of Mass Destruction (assuming mustard gas and Sarin still count). Turn on the Fox News Channel or CNN.

  • Idler (unverified)
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    Boy, I wish I lived in the happy Sesame Street world of "Thedude" where there were never any enemies civilized peoples ever had to fight.

  • Thedude (unverified)
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    Idler you writing from Iraq? Are bumper stickers on your SUV your personal sacrifice? Sorry I'm smart enough not to fall for the emotional twisting done by our leaders. THey took real grief and patriotism of 911 and turned the reaction to those feelings on a people WHO DID NOT ATTACK US!! A real threat and I'll listen to our military experts and do everything I can to help us win. A fantasy built on lies of cowards, sorry I wont be an enabler.

  • Andy DeVine (unverified)
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    Thedupe,

    those that would attack or hurt America are dieing for their hate and ignorance, as it shoul be. our troops must be enabled to effectively break , kill and destroy the terrorists, thugs and foreign criminals and their weapons. war is war you are ashamed watch Jack Mertha unravel...His relatives have been appropriated $20MILLION in defense contract money last year, his hearings are scheduled to begin next month-- see the New York Times report on him (today's) the anti military spin is unravelling, I am impressed with its magnificence.

  • Rex Etlin (unverified)
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    bohica, don't get stuck on stupid. POTUS has repeatedly indicated the mission as the war on terror. POTUS said in the begining (Oct.2001) that this will be difficult and long. POTUS was elected twice, to lead and execute the war on terror. Those who voted and enabled this war to go forward are on both sides of the isle and elected by the majority. Those who have strategic importance know the specifics for their specific job or classification others, like us, will not be given strategic information. Those that would do our troops and leaders harm need not hear information from the American populace or citizens who would like to see the USA lose, at any cost(that includes rabid president-haters or those who want progressives back in power, like in the old days) Follow the news closely in the next few weeks. You will be a better citizen for it.

  • ReneeClark88 (unverified)
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    Gecko- you can go to Jolly Pirate Donuts and take a two hour shit for all I care.

    Thedude- I don't know who you are, but you must be one of those draft dodging liberal retards. Why don't you move to Canada like all you liberal fags said you would? You are too pathetic for words, you're a fucking loser, and you fucking know it.

  • thedude (unverified)
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    By attacking Iraq, Bush put me, my family and community in danger. He started a war with a country that did NOT attack us. He made our nation the aggressor and lost us the high ground. How can anyone justify that act unless they see all "muslims" as the same. Ignorance got us into this war and ignorance is killing young, good Americans each day. No amount of support the troops bumper stickers are going to change that fact. Those who supported this war, sleep well knowing you degraded us as a people and a nation. You have enabled a week man to damage the very foundation of our country just so you could blow your testostorone fulled rage at a made up enemy. Reading some of these post I'm scared for my country. Such aggressive ignorance and hate.

  • Gecko (unverified)
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    RC88:

    I only needed 20 minutes at Jolly Pirates...and when I looked into the bowl, I found solid evidence of a vast military conspiracy to embed so-called reporters with the military so they could be brainwashed into saying whatever the military brass tells them to say except for Geraldo because he refuses to take their bribes and he slept with over 2,000 women and that's way more than Bill Walton and Magic Johnson put together so you know Geraldos talking the straight shit.

    All those so-called Apollo Missions were filmed at Universal Studios my cousin Richie worked on the lot back in the 70s and he even has polaroids to prove it.

    Please don't call people fags. It's not nice. Do you know what smokes sell for in Canada?

  • ReneeClark88 (unverified)
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    thedude- you're a faggot. If you don't like America, why don't you get the hell out. Move to Canada like you morons said you would. You call me ignorant, but you can't even spell correctly. You were trying to say weak, but you spelled it week. You're a dumbass.

    Gecko- I don't know where to begin with you. The "evidence" you found at JPD is worthless. And how could the films of the Apollo missions be made in the 70's when the Apollo 11 moon landing happened in 1969? Get your facts straight before you start running you mouth.You and your cousin Richie are fags.And if you don't like the price of smokes in Canada, why don't you puff on the smoke you're blowing out your ass?

  • that70show (unverified)
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    i agree

  • HTML Fixer (unverified)
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    dO yOu eAt wiTh ThaT MoUtH?.

  • ReneeClark88 (unverified)
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    aRe YoU a MoRoN?

  • Abby Norml (unverified)
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    Hey Renee, try to leave Amerika. This country enforces its policies in direct violation of sovreignty and treaty obligations every day. I've tried 4 times in 20 years to emmigrate and everytime I ended up being denied the same consideration that other emigrees get because the authorities didn't want to upset the US. I knew a guy in Panama that worked at the border and he used to tell me about how they'd wait for a US citizen to come to the Columbian checkpoint to see what outrageous things they'd do to them to impress the US that they were tough on whatever the US wanted them tough on. You probably don't know or care that US agents have started conducting raids across the Canadian border for such serious offenses as mailing MJ seeds.

    You find me anywhere in this world where I can get an even break and not have to deal with you all and I'm there. All you "get out" types are all blather. WE WANT TO LEAVE AND LIVE FREE. If you are serious then damn well do something to help. Then, you all can enjoy each others' company and let the one that knows the least yell and shout the loudest while you all cheer.

    There may be hope yet. Hugo Chavez is starting to talk like he might actually back up his words with sanctuary.

  • Ed Bickford (unverified)
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    I assume no editors are monitoring here, or such disrespect to a fallen soldier's memory could not be so demonstated. This thread has degenerated into a rancorous rant which no one would read.

  • ReneClark88 (unverified)
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    Ed Bickford- you just read this rancorous rant, stupid.

    Abby Norml- if you really want to leave America, just cross the border to Mexico. 12 million illegals have made it across, why not you?

  • Somethingtothinkabout (unverified)
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    MADRAS -- The father of the Madras soldier tortured and then killed in Iraq said Wednesday that his son's captors probably were retaliating for alleged U.S. abuses in Iraq.

    Though he honors his son's service and condemns the way he died, Wes Tucker acknowledged that war breeds atrocities on all sides.

    "They were doing a job, and they probably overstepped the bounds of the job they were supposed to do, just like the ones in our military overstepped the jobs they were supposed to do," Tucker said in some of his first public comments since his son, Tom, was killed.

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    Hey guys, let's settle down. I think we can manage to do what our leaders so often fail to do--have a civil, informative exchange about Iraq. Personal invective doesn't help much.

  • ReneeClark (unverified)
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    What are you, a Frenchman? Personal invective often helps to get things done.

  • Jennifer W. (unverified)
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    Agreed, RC88. Dislike of the French should unite Red States and Blue. And they still don't realize our revolution came before theirs.

    God Bless the Tucker Family and all who loved Tom. Whether you're for this war or against it, Pfc. Tucker volunteered to put himself in harms way for lousy pay and miserable working conditions and he made the ulimate sacrifice.

    In unrelated news, all the armchair Rambos should be made aware the enlistment age has just been raised to 42 (if you can pass an enhanced physical exam). While the Pentagon is loathe to admit it, the twenty something civilians are starting to look beyond the slick "Army of One" commercials and understand it's not just some kind of video game.

  • Gr8fulted (unverified)
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    I live in Madras. Tom Tucker's mother and I work for the same employer. I know her personally. She is a very sweet and wonderful person and loved her son very, very deeply. She believes he was a hero, as does much of the town. Whether you believe in the politics of the war or the politics of those who oppose the war, it cannot be denied that good, young Americans are dying, good young Iraqis are dying, innocents are dying, the guilty are dying.

    And my friend's son is still dead.

    Personally, I don't have any answers other than the eternal law: Hatred is never appeased by hatred, but by love alone is healed.

  • ronwiden (unverified)
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    somethingtothinkabout, how about your conjecture, no facts no firsthand knowledge, coulddda, wouldda, wes tucker doesn't know,just like you don't know (he has a "pass") you only have ill based opinion. lets settle down and not act like liberals. we need to have facts and verify information and be very current on the news--none of the bush lied, wmd and kerry stuff. It really is old and not much use when someone wants to know more than opinion and emotion

  • boikin (unverified)
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    TheDude. There is no draft. Thomas Tucker wanted to go. For some reason, he wanted to protect you.

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