2000
Today marks the event of the 2000th soldier perishing in the war in Iraq.
I just heard on the news that the 2001st died earlier today.
All over the country are peace vigils will quietly mark this tragic milestone. In the Portland area alone, I am aware of four seperate candlelight vigils that will bring together hearts and love and hope for the ending of this war.
At the same time, indictments may be handed down in the next three days for high political figures who lied about the reasons for going to this war in the first place.
I remember the day we first struck Iraq.
I was at the Oregon Coast during Spring Break on a blustery stormy day. I could see the ocean waves hitting the rocks and hear the wind and the rain against the beautiful home that we had rented.
I watched CNN as the sound of children playing filled the back of the room.
I knew somewhere in Iraq was another mother, just like me, who had children, just like me, who was now sitting in terror.
Listening to the sounds of bombs and guns, watching her home, her town, destroyed. Seeing her husband, her child dying or injured.
My heart was sick and broken.
And it still is.
I wish someone could PLEASE try to explain to me WHY those 2000 soldiers have lost their lives. Why 2000 mothers cry themselves to sleep at night. Why there are wives and husbands who are now widows and widowers. Why there are women and men who need to try to explain to their children why they will never see their parent again.
WHY the thousands and thousands and thousands of Iraq citizens have lost their lives, their homes?
What are the loss of these lives worth?
Our administration attacked a country which was of no threat to us, ignored those who advised them against it, and ridiculed anyone who questioned their actions.
And here we are, marking a terrible day, with no real hope of stopping this madness anytime in the near future.
I really don't understand.
I just heard on the news that the 2001st died earlier today.
All over the country are peace vigils will quietly mark this tragic milestone. In the Portland area alone, I am aware of four seperate candlelight vigils that will bring together hearts and love and hope for the ending of this war.
At the same time, indictments may be handed down in the next three days for high political figures who lied about the reasons for going to this war in the first place.
I remember the day we first struck Iraq.
I was at the Oregon Coast during Spring Break on a blustery stormy day. I could see the ocean waves hitting the rocks and hear the wind and the rain against the beautiful home that we had rented.
I watched CNN as the sound of children playing filled the back of the room.
I knew somewhere in Iraq was another mother, just like me, who had children, just like me, who was now sitting in terror.
Listening to the sounds of bombs and guns, watching her home, her town, destroyed. Seeing her husband, her child dying or injured.
My heart was sick and broken.
And it still is.
I wish someone could PLEASE try to explain to me WHY those 2000 soldiers have lost their lives. Why 2000 mothers cry themselves to sleep at night. Why there are wives and husbands who are now widows and widowers. Why there are women and men who need to try to explain to their children why they will never see their parent again.
WHY the thousands and thousands and thousands of Iraq citizens have lost their lives, their homes?
What are the loss of these lives worth?
Our administration attacked a country which was of no threat to us, ignored those who advised them against it, and ridiculed anyone who questioned their actions.
And here we are, marking a terrible day, with no real hope of stopping this madness anytime in the near future.
I really don't understand.
posted by Kathryn at
8:09 AM
17 Comments:
You are preaching to the choir, sister.
Freedom is great, but the perpetuation of the war itself was WMDs. So where are they?
We did NOT go into Iraq to liberate the people, it was simply (for lack of a better term) a 'bonus'. We went there because Saddam allegedly had these weapons that he could use on Israel or (the more popular theory) give to terrorists to use on us.
The "liberation" argument is crap.
Str8 girl, thanks for the post.
This war and administration is based on lies. I think that more people now than ever understand that. I hope they all get what they deserve. I can't wait for the day that GWB is charged with war crimes.
Angie
Oh RSG this topic just pisses me off. Because you are 100% right on. This war is bullshit, and it is not something to be proud of to die for a country fighting a WRONG war and KILLING thousands and thousands of people. We may have 2000 mothers in the US mourning today, but how many mourn in Iraq for those we have killed?
And I just have to respond to Kim here and some of your comments, that, with all due respect, I couldn't disagree more with.
I do not see how it is honorable to fight for something that is steeped in lies. And I'm not saying that they are dishonorable, but those who lead them, and at the top of that list is the president of this country, are. I am so sad for the people who have to fight this war.
There are atrocities going on all over the world where people are victims of horrible government, wars, issues, famines, etc. Where was the USA during Rwanda? How do we pick and choose what we're going to fight for? It's not based on anything you're going to hear in the mainstream media, that's for sure. Do you really believe that the premise for this horrible war is solely to do right by the Iraq people? Ha! Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11, had no weapons of mass destruction: what again is the reason for 2000 of our US soldiers dead?
"Do you really think things would be that different in Iraq if someone else had been elected?
Yes, I would hope it would have been drastically different.
Kami: Amen sister.
Kim: I agree with you that our servicemen and women volunteered for their service and it is an honorable task. But I don't believe that they signed up to invade un-armed countries to the benefit of a handful of rich businessmen who are profitting millions from their bloodshed. I also don't believe that it is in their best interest to blindly follow the administration simply because they are the administration.
You said "We went in to Iraq to liberate their people from the throws of a dictatorship far worse than we, as Americans could comprehend."
That is not what was presented to congress or the American people. Had Colin Powell, Carl Rove, Cheney, and W suggested that we invade Iraq to liberate the Iraqi people; it would have never been approved. Because if that is the premise for going war than we had better get busy invading about one-third of the rest of the world. We should go back to VietNam, North Korea, China, most of Africa, Syria, oh and the list could go on. North Korea does have WMD's and an evil dictator. Why aren't we invading there?
They have no oil.
VietNam?
None there either.
Africa?
No oil.
They do have diamonds though, so maybe if our next president has vested interest in the diamond industry we could go there next.
Anyone want to sign up?
They perform genecide,
rape women,
mutilate young girls genitals,
ignore the huge population of people with HIV because they don't want to buy drugs to help them or educate them.
It's a horrible place and they need liberating.
And yes, I do think that this whole mess would be different under a different administration. Our president's administration LIED about why we were going there, fully knowing that there were no WMD's to be found. Al Gore or John Kerry wouldn't have done such a horrible, irresponsible thing because neither of them have interests in oil companies or Haliburton!
Nate: Thanks for stopping by.
Angie: You guys should go to the Peace Vigil tonite at 6:30 off of Kruse Way I think?? I can't go due to stupid soccer.
Lelo: My heart breaks just as much for the Iraqi people who have lost their lives and loved ones. I always try to imagine an Iraqi woman with three daughters like me and wonder what it is like for her.
Crisitn: So sad.
Kim: Feel free to debate. I love a good, intelligent discussion anytime! We are all entitled to our opinions and I think it is extremely useful to try to listen to someone else's. It is precisely why I force myself to listen to right winged radio from time to time. I like to try to hear what others have to say on subjects I have a strong opinion about. No worries here!
Man alive, you said it sister. That is so damn true. I am just at a loss with this war.
W is an idiot.
I came via Kami to offer you some support. I cannot believe there are still people that STILL buy into the fly-paper theory of "fight 'em over there..." Hello? There was no "over there" until we "brought it".
FunkyB -- who uses pop culture phrases to reach those who only understand quotes from movies and television.
RSG-We don't need to explain shit to you. You know exactly what the fuck you are talking about. Knowledge is bliss.
You fucking rock and I would fucking tell you if I didn't agree with you but I DO and not because I am an ass kisser but b/c it is the truth.
The truth is powerful.
W STANDS FOR WUSS ASS MOTHERFUCKING PUNK ASS BITCH.
The only reason we are in Iraq is oil.
Afghanistan was invaded by Russia and we sat on our asses and did nothing. Why? Because Reagan didn't have personal financial interests in the oil there.
Then when Iraq invaded Kuwait it was a completely different story... MafiaDaddy Bush had personal interests in what happened in Kuwait because there are oil wells over there with his name and checking account # on it.
Now let me tell you this pissed off some Afghanistan people pretty good. Why do you think they hate us so? Maybe because we didn't help them when they needed us. Help is not supposed to be based on the "what are we going to get in return" philosophy that the BushClan subscribes to.
The only reason we are in Iraq now is that monkey-boy AntiChrist BushMafiaBaby is getting rich off of it while our innocent sons & daughters die for nothing.
I thought your post was great. I completly agree with what you wrote.
What a horrible state this country is in right now and it seems to only be getting worse!
I would like to make one little comment about the whole 'volunteer' deal... There have been lots of reports that a strong majority of said 'volunteers' are only in the military because they have no other options. Based on race and financial status the numbers are definitely skewed... I think some aren't really so much 'volunteering out of an intense desire to protect our country', but more so to feed their families. Kind of makes it suck even more...
Fabulous post RSG. :)
I am a mother of a 18 1/2 year old son who is convinced he wants to serve in the military. He has options. He was in the "gifted and talented" program in h.s. We have more than enough money to pay for college.
He wants to serve due to a deep seated belief (not put here by me or his dad) that everyone should serve their country. I admire his intent, but I would never choose for my son to serve. I know that our country needs the armed forces but no one wants their kid to be in it. I don't agree with this war - I think both Bush's just wanted an excuse to kick Saddam's ugly ass but I do support the fine men and women who put their life on the line every day so I can shop at wal-mart, put gas in my car, basically enjoy my life.
Just to clear up, in case there's confusion. I'm not saying all are in the military because they had no options - I'm just saying there is a definite percentage of some who are there because of reasons I stated. They did a whole Dateline or one of those shows a while back about it.
Regardless of how or why they are serving, I do admire every single person who is in the military and can't thank them enough for being brave enough to put their lives on the line so I can enjoy the freedoms I do.
I have to agree with Carrie.
I taught high school for three years. I taught mostly college-bound Advanced Placement, Honors, oh heck ... I taught GEEKS.
The only kids who joined the military in those three years of hell that I taught ... were the thugs who were either too dumb or didn't have a chance to go to college. They didn't volunteer because they believed in anything.. the only thing they believe in at that age is sex, rap and drugs.
How is it that we are supposed to admire their volunteerism when its the crappy economy brought on by the Mafia & MonkeyBoy that put them there... its volunteering when you don't have any other choices.
Of course some people would like to say that I don't have a say in this because I'm Canadian...I'm going to comment anyway.
I think it's a damn shame that people are losing their lives over the "liberation" of another country. Whether they volunteered for it or not, it's sad
The other important fact here is that these numbers don't include personnel who died en route to hospitals in Germany or those who died from their injuries after they arrived at the hospitals. The more real count is more likely 7000+.
Not to mention the 15K that have been wounded and more than half of those have been injured so severely that they were discharged.
http://www.tbrnews.org/Archives/a1682.htm
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