Don Surber captures a warrior culture versus caring culture moment.

Eleanor Dachtler of Las Vegas lost a son in Iraq, Marine Lance Cpl. Nicholas H. Anderson two years ago. He was 18. Jimmy Carter's kid is running for the U.S. Senate from Nevada. He wanted to use Dachtler at a campaign event.

Kid Carter's campaign sent a letter that began: "I hope I have reached the right Eleanor Dachtler and that you are the mother of Nick Anderson. If not, please disregard this letter."

Real warmth there.

Dachtler told the Las Vegas Review—Journal

"I read the letter, and I thought, 'This guy is a (expletive).'"

She kept her mouth shut until she saw Carter on TV with some paraplegics, trying to milk the stem—cell research issue. [....]

"It was almost like he was exploiting these people."

And now for the quote that summs up how most Americans feel about Iraq:

"I am looking at it as a mother who lost a son and doesn't want anybody to lose a family member. But I don't want my son to have died in vain.

Don has an important update, so follow the link.

Hat tip: Larwyn

Thomas Lifson   11 5 06