E-Mail
Print
tool name
close"To die for an idea; it is unquestionably noble. But how much nobler it would be if men died for ideas that were true." -- H.L. Mencken
This Memorial Day, we will have the opportunity to hold in remembrance over 4,000 more of our nation's sons and daughters who sacrificed their lives for the machinations of the current Liar in Chief. Since King George's famous "mission accomplished" speech, over 97 percent of those deaths have occurred. At the 1,000 death toll, "W" said that the mission would be fulfilled in order that the death of these soldiers would not be in vain. What is the rationale of more death to justify those already dead? How many have to die for it not to be in vain? I guess 4,000 is not enough.
At least two of the presidential candidates have termed the loss of life in Iraq as wasted. One, of course, backtracked later claiming that "wasted" was a poor choice of words and a slip of the tongue, while the old veteran said he should have used the word 'sacrificed' instead. The third candidate has fallen back on the lame excuse that if she knew then what she knows now, she would not have voted to invade Iraq. Hindsight is 20/20. If any of these hapless reasons satisfies you, then you will certainly have a hard time choosing between the lesser of evils come November. Personally, I find it astonishing that out of 300 million people, these three are the ones that have risen to the top.
The Iraq debacle
It is our duty to remember those who gave all. However, it is disingenuous to feign honor for the soldiers who died and send more soldiers to the same fate. Repeating the same mistake over and over while expecting different results is the definition of insanity. If our current administration were to be held accountable for this Iraq debacle, I feel sure they would receive the same punishment as Saddam Hussein and his henchmen, and deservedly so.
Not our affairs
The affairs of other countries are not our affairs. Thomas Jefferson warned us to not have "entangling alliances" with other nations. Just like Vietnam, the only thing that delaying our departure from Iraq will accomplish is more casualties. War has been a part of life for thousands of years in the Middle East and will continue till the end of time. It is beyond comprehension that anyone would think the last five and a half years and 4000-plus American lives lost have been worth the price.
This Memorial Day, stop for a few minutes to remember and be thankful for all those who have fallen in war, because they truly gave everything. But also stop to consider the reasons we spend so much time, energy and resources in the annihilation of our own species. Ask yourself why we are willing to commit our lives, our wealth, the lives of our children and grandchildren to these perpetual wars that only create more problems.
@Nyx.CommentBody@