1 Suicide takes conviction? Finally Dr. Kevorkian has a right-winger who will support his work.

2 I have that box set. It is one of the best series ever made by far. The veterans speaking at the beginning really chokes me up sometimes. I really like the episode that focuses on the medic. Very touching.

3 I did a Band of Brothers marathon this Sunday, about 6 episodes I think. The medic one was great, I agree. Another excellent series that I wish would be shown over and over is the one PBS did years ago, "I'll Fly Away" with Sam Waterston (sp?) and Regina Taylor. Every episode made me cry (with emotion, not necessarily sadness).

4 Isn't this a false dichotomy? WWII America wasn't ancient Sparta: surely they had other options other than combat or suicide? Just because the army decided they could not fight for the country because of whatever physical or mental limitations they had, wouldn't there have been other options available to them? I suppose taking one's own life requires conviction, but I don't think I can come to quite the same conclusion that you do. Heroics don't only occur on the battlefield. Wouldn't it have been better for them to find a way to help those at war or the families they left behind? At least then they'd have some purpose.

5 Wouldn't it have been better for them to find a way to help those at war or the families they left behind? At least then they'd have some purpose. Isn't that the tragedy of it Sarah is citing? Despair does different things to different people. Apparently some felt their lives meant nothing if they couldn't go fight the war. That doesn't make it right, but it certainly evokes a sense of commitment common in the country at the time.

6 Sarah - be sure to watch the bonus disc for the Actors Video Diary. It's great and I guarantee you will enjoy it.

7 First I read the book then watched as a marathon one saturday, all 10+ hours of it. Now I have seen it twice since on the History Channel, the last time I got my wife to watch it. Well done series. Unfortunately they do not cover one of the funniest things that these guys did when they found Hitler's limo at "Eagles Nest", they would ride around on it as if it was taxi. IF you get choked up now -- wait til Parts 9 and 10. David Schwimmer plays Captain Sobel exactly as I had portrayed in my head when reading the book. THe actor who plays Dick Winters is a British actor with a very thick english accent. As I said earlier a Great series.