From the Light of Reason blog yesterday, a story about a mother who has three sons, all currently deployed in combat in Iraq. Despite the Sullivan Act as a remedy to return at least one of her sons to a non-combat assignment, the White House and Defense Department are not responding. This mother has only the three children, and no other close family. I have three sons and no other close family. My youngest is serving in the military in Japan. I feel bad at times with one son so far and even though in a "safe" place, still at risk. I can totally imagine what this mother feels and how her sons feel. While none of the sons insisted on getting the exemption for at least one to be deployed elsewhere, they do understand their mother's feelings and dilemna. Who will be there to help her if she has a problem?

As the writer says, the four line reply from the White House was that her request was being forwarded. Months now and no response. A spokesman for the government says that the military cannot be expected to track families serving in combat to avoid this situation. And the LOR blog notes that this is the same country that claims it can orchestrate complex military operations in Iraq, as well as handle other expected targets of US beneficent management.