There have certainly been times when empires have valued their soldiers as a commodity to be bought and sold. But we are not an empire, nor do we consider our soldiers commodities. We pay the US president less than a lot of corporate CEOs, athletes, entertainers, etc. But we surround that one man with a security unmatched in the world.

People who commit their very lives to a belief in the American way, are of a value that money can't touch. THey don't do it for the money, and yes we underpay so many important segments of society (see teachers).

The value of an item is not always the financial worth, or amount put toward it. The chips I value most in my collection, are not the most valuable financially.

I disagree with the President's war in Iraq, but the soldiers who put their lives on the line, have my admiration and respect. I would prefer they be used in a different manner, but that is a dispute with the civilian government. I value the soldiers who do their duty, and follow orders, and do their best (and it is awful damn impressive) to achieve the goals set by the leadersip of our nation.

We value the soldiers with our hearts, our minds, our souls, our very core as a nation. You can't buy that, you can't equate it with money.

As for athletes, let us remember that Ted Williams said simply being a marine was as great an accomplishment as being in the hall of fame. He left the game twice to fight for his country.