Psst, America did you forget about Iraq?

[babylonsister]

http://www.populistamerica.com/the_darker_legacy_of_iraq

The Darker Legacy of Iraq

April 7, 2008
by Robert W. Barker


Suicides among US troops are increasing at a higher rate than at any time in history, as we demand that people repeat tours in Iraq. Vast increases of violent crimes by returning Iraqi- Afghanistan veterans within the USA signify the culture of violence spreading. The cost of this Iraqi war is borne in massive death and physical injury, as well as increasing monetary loss. Yet it may be that the cost in psychological damage to the American troops and our collective psyche is the most vastly under-estimated negative factor.

Psst, America did you forget about Iraq?

We hate to interrupt this Hillary-Obama-McCain fixation, your focus on an economic down turn, high health care costs, exorbitant gas prices, death of the dollar or your latest dance team...or worse yet...American Idol, but put down the beer and chips or Ice cream and tune in. We are being driven to ruin daily by a war that is virtually ignored.

Measuring the damage suffered as a nation in this dark Iraqi conflict is a vast undertaking of numerous variables that all speak of failure and future cost. We are aware of the over four thousand American servicemen deaths, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis killed, millions displaced and refuges created in surrounding countries. Weapons lost or stolen, billions literally misplaced, strategies failed, torture allowed and mercenaries encouraged.

snip//

Meanwhile our tax dollars go towards the torture, maiming, raping and killing of Iraqis to bring "peace" to Iraq - minute nuances in perception are all that separate Coalition troops or Blackwater mercenaries from "Terrorists."

Examples of the psychological damage this conflict has had on many citizens serving in Iraq are numerous, the few sited here are a small number of the atrocities blamed on US military or the Blackwater thugs.

Murder rates and suicide epidemics by returning veterans are smothered in the birth canal of corporate media, few people are even aware of this psychological cost of Chenyburton's Iraq. And as we remain distracted by entertainment, economic and political issues the war for Cheny-Burton's profit's drags on - every day our costs rise, both morally and fiscally we are drowning in the blood of Iraq.

[americanyouth]

1. I agree with the factual parts of this article, but...

I'm getting pretty tired of being told that, because I pay attention to multiple issues, I've forgotten about the war in Iraq.

[babylonsister]

2. If you're aware of what's going on, than this article isn't addressed to

you. Sadly, only about 24% of Americans knew we'd passed the 4,000th American death in Iraq very recently. I blame it on the media and just lack of curiosity on the part of this country.
This writer is trying to change that percentage perhaps. Don't take it personally.

[americanyouth]

3. Not personally...

I really beleive that it's not lack of interest, I think it's basic human frustration/reaction. It seems to me that the average logical American mind will hear "The death toll is..." and immediately switch to, "Then let's get the hell out" mode. People in this country don't beleive anymore and for good reason. I went to high school with a guy that was killed YESTERDAY and he's not the first. Every time I see a man's mother in that much pain, it makes me want to scream. Another friend/son/brother/American dies for something very little of us beleive in or agree with.

[babylonsister]

5. I just saw your response; I'm very sorry to hear about your friend.

Yes, it's happening all over the country. If you could hear pain, I expect there would be a dull roar throughout the country.

[Doctor_J]

4. This country will never getback on its feet until we have a severe

"restructuring" of the mass media. Bush and Cheney have killed more than a million Iraqis in addition to killing 4000 and maiming tens of thousands of our soldiers, and not one single major newspaper, magazine, or cable "news" channel has made any more than a passing mention of any of it. The reason for that is they are part of the fascist cabal that have taken over since the 80's. Destroy the media, and democracy will follow.