The right to ventriloquize the dead...

Christopher Hitchens, writing in Slate, discusses Cindy Sheehan, and not in glowing terms. Money graf (but you should read the whole thing):

Finally, I think one must deny to anyone the right to ventriloquize the dead. Casey Sheehan joined up as a responsible adult volunteer. Are we so sure that he would have wanted to see his mother acquiring "a knack for P.R." and announcing that he was killed in a war for a Jewish cabal? This is just as objectionable, on logical as well as moral grounds, as the old pro-war argument that the dead "must not have died in vain." I distrust anyone who claims to speak for the fallen, and I distrust even more the hysterical noncombatants who exploit the grief of those who have to bury them.

I'm from a military family, I don't really think I'd have that problem... but I was prepared, nonetheless.

The few times I was ever sent to places where people might conceivably wish me harm... I left instructions for the family, left with my soldier father to be opened in the event of "The Visit".

In the event I have been captured or killed:

1. Please don't talk to the press.
2. If you must: Remember I was a soldier, and a volunteer. I went
willingly, eyes wide open.
3. I believed in the mission - even if you may not.
4. Do not put words in my mouth that I cannot refute: I forbid you that, above all else. Say what you will of your own opinion, but beyond 2 & 3, do not presume to speak for me. My actions say all that is needful.
5. Lastly, please don't be mad at me - I really *did* mean to zig, but apparently I should have zagged.

There was lots more sentimental stuff, depending on what my point in life was, but that was all that's applicable here.

Yeah, I really did think about picayune stuff like that, and tried to make people laugh from the grave. Hell, why not? It's not like I could have screwed up anything more than I already had by failing to zag, right?