MAC wrote on Nov 5, 2006 12:30 AM:Walk back home this is not the 60's again. We are at war not because we have to be but because we must preserve this country and our way of life.

John wrote on Nov 5, 2006 7:24 AM:The boy will ware out his Burkenstocks,and still no one will care. Stay home ya coot.Who does this guy think he is? Forrest Gump ?

Pete Nice wrote on Nov 5, 2006 8:55 AM:First the fat guy & now the hippie. When will it end? Its a nice gesture, but it will not stop the war. I don't think terrorists will have any compassion for this demonstration, but good luck anyway.

Susan wrote on Nov 5, 2006 9:22 AM:Bill McDannell is a true American Patriot. We were in Lakeside yesterday to see him off, and it was great to be a part of something truly important. Bill and his family have sacrificed much, to help save lives and end this illegal war. We wish the best to this gentle man who will be remembered as a great American hero.

Hippy-Man-Walking wrote on Nov 5, 2006 10:15 AM:More freak'n publicity for a 'nobody' loser, just like that Steve Vaught 'Fatman Walking' dude! No glory at the end because no one really cares! Have a nice long walk, Mr. Hippy man!

Ed wrote on Nov 5, 2006 10:56 AM:I can see it now. A meeting of the presidential cabinet and the pentagon brass will be called by Bush and they'll all exclaim, "Hey, this guy just walked from San Diego to D.C. to end the war. We just have to forget our goals and stop these wars now." Sure.

Reardon wrote on Nov 5, 2006 12:56 PM:Two color photos and dozens of column inches of print for an “event” that attracted only a dozen people? Front Page? Photo above the fold? You can get more than a dozen people to attend a pick-up Goat Rope!) One of the featured people must be in the Assignment Editor’s immediate family! I can get more than a dozen people to appear BEFORE the listed opening time of a weekday garage sale, and ten times that number during the day, and the NCT will not cover that! This was not a news story…it was journalistic advocacy!

Freddy wrote on Nov 5, 2006 1:55 PM:The whole thing is a waste of resources. This is WWIII. Eventually the European Union will get into it. The enemy is not a state nor a nation but it is a dangerous siritual war which does involve the material. It is not going to go away, but everyone should become aware and consider 'what's happen' dude'. Truly, the man in the long beard with the sign "Repent, now for the end is near" Would be appropriate (better).

John USMC Retired wrote on Nov 5, 2006 4:54 PM:Freddy, you are right on target. This is not really or soley about afghanistan or Iraq (geography) but about a growing spiritual movement led by extremists to destroy christianity or anything that does not conform to muslim law. By thier own accord they do not seek to co-exist with non-muslims but to convert or destroy(kill) non-believers. These extremists hate our efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq because we threaten thier goals. By taking the fight to them, we disrupted thier business as usual which means they would attack us (Beirut bombing, USS Cole, Somolia, ect.) and we would bend to thier will (adjust policy, abandon our presence) and now we are fighting back and taking the fight to them and they hate this because they did not expect our national resolve to last this long. Look around the world and most of the fighting going is really about muslim extremists attempting to impose thier beliefs on others Talk about religeous intolerance!

Phil wrote on Nov 5, 2006 6:44 PM:So this guy starts walking because he thinks it's the right thing to do. Maybe he'll make a difference. Maybe he won't. But at least he's doing something besides sitting in front of his computer sneering and calling people names. And you folks who think this is a religious war may be right. But remember, it's not some supreme being doing the killing, but simple, misguided men with their own earthly interests at heart.

Charlie wrote on Nov 5, 2006 6:57 PM:The American public has time and time again demonstrated our troops should get our troops out of Iraq. Walking across the country may be just the thing to wake up congress if not the administration, especially if the voters turn out of office those who sent us there in the first place. Representatives who voted to send us to Iraq remain in denial of the costly no win mess they placed our troops in. Neither trillions of our tax dollars with trillions to follow nor our big armies will be the answer to winning the hearts and minds of Iraqs people. The fact is we are the grease that is helping Iraq slide to slide into civil war. Where are the promised flowers from people of Iraq? Perhaps they will line the streets to present them as we are forced to leave.

Calamarichris wrote on Nov 5, 2006 9:23 PM:Dang the E-torpedos, Godspeed Bill! I may not have his courage and financial freedom, but I do appreciate a man emerging from this (judging from some of the comments herein) herd of apathy, resignation and cynicism to step forward and do something. Perhaps those of us who think Bill is wrong or silly can back up their convictions by enlisting in the Army or Marines? I served for more than 7 years and (if you're a Republican or one of their children) it's even more fun and rewarding than the recruiters claim!) If it's indeed ~not~ the 60's then perhaps our current administration can be held to the same standard?

VET FOR PEACE … wrote on Nov 5, 2006 11:36 PM:… Sorry, MAC (12:30AM), but you got it wrong. We are at war because too many gullible Americans believed the lies of GWB. We are at war for no noble cause. You cannot make me believe that torture and barbarisms are our way of life. You cannot make me believe that 3,000 dead Americans troops are worth ‘Iraqi Freedom’ for a people who love for the Bush version of freedom.

Another Vet for PEACE = wrote on Nov 5, 2006 11:52 PM:.. The saddest delusion of people like ‘John USMC’ [4:54PM] is their belief that we are ‘taking the fight to them’ in order to keep from them bringing the fight to American soil. Oh, how deluded and tragic. Almost 3,000 Amerian troops have already been brought back to be buried in American soil. Over 42,000 with disabling wounds, lost limbs and organs, and shattered minds have been brought back to American soil. Homes and families have been destroyed on American soil. More than one million U.S. troops have now served in Iraq. And once they leave, each is entitled to a long list of benefits for the remainder of his or her life. But this Republican Congress has failed to provide the medical services these men need. Already Bush War vets are turned out on the streets, homeless. Accrued liabilities for U.S. federal employees' and veterans' benefits now total $4.5 trillion. Indeed, our debt for veterans' health and disability payments has risen by $228 billion in the past year alone. These numbers are unlikely to fall. More than half of the troops in Iraq have served two or three tours of duty under grueling conditions. Moreover, depleted uranium, used in armor-piercing artillery shells because it is hard, heavy and cheap. All this is being brought back to American soil, including the depleted uranium in the bodies of these men, with diminished reproductive capability. Tell me now, Mr. John USMC, that the war is not being fought on American soil. The incalculable sufferings of this war will go on for generations on American soil.

BUSH IS DEAF … wrote on Nov 6, 2006 12:12 AM:… Ed has it right [10:56AM] that Bush will not convene a presidential cabinet and a brass band to welcome Bill McDannell when he ends his cross-country walk. After all, Bush didn’t listen to any of the mothers and wives of slain troops either. And he didn’t listen to any of the four million Americans who participated in the largest anti-war demonstration in the history of this nation on March 15, 2003. Bush doesn’t listen to the people. He is deaf to the American people.

Dennis wrote on Nov 6, 2006 5:58 AM:I just walked 2400 miles from chicago to LA to help people in pain. stay to your mission and goal. stay positive. let people's prayers and support help you when you need it. This walk will change you forever but God help anyone in the way of your mission after this. Your power will be amazing. If you ever need my help or the help of my huge community, let me know. Via Con Dios mi amigo. Welcome to the 2000 mile club!

Dennis wrote on Nov 6, 2006 6:02 AM:I just walked 2400 miles from chicago to LA to help people in pain. stay to your mission and goal. stay positive. let people's prayers and support help you when you need it. This walk will change you forever but God help anyone in the way of your mission after this. Your power will be amazing. If you ever need my help or the help of my huge community, let me know. Via Con Dios mi amigo. Welcome to the 2000 mile club! google search, "where's dennis".

Chuck wrote on Nov 6, 2006 12:54 PM:I pray for those who believe that this man's actions are misguided. I pray that those same people wake up before the Titanic...uhhh...I mean the United States...sinks from the weight of their insane thoughts. I pray that soon every American listens to their hearts, not FOX or Rush, for direction. Let us pray that whoever these truly misguided writers listen to (to form their brainwashed beliefs) someday decides to tell them the truth. Let us pray that a good Christian evangelical leader will show them the way out of their self-righteousness. Amen.