(My 1000th post) Our Glorious War in Iraq.

[angrycarpenter]

I have avoided writing a post on the war because there are those have said everything that I would say, only much better. I am no expert on war or history. I slept through history class. I was in the army for two years and have a little insight on the military that's about it.

But I do know how this terrible waste of men and talent and money makes me feel.

I do not understand people who want and glorify war. Can there be a worse reason to go to war than to seek glory? Does the man in a cold foxhole want glory? He only wants to live through it and go home. Does the public want glory? Some do, But most would rather have a good secure job with benefits than any hollow victory we may win in Iraq.

When Mr. Bush started this adventure in Iraq I think that he had visions of crowds waving American flags and saying thank-you Mr. Bush for making us free. Maybe if they all did that just to humor him we could get our soldiers home.

We all know that the rationale for war was deliberately bogus. It was for the money and the control. But I think glory was the main reason for the biggest lie ever sold to the public. These men are the most dangerous kind of leader, Ignorant of war, but thinking they are experts. The fact that they are looking for a glorious victory shows how utterly wrong they are about wars and how they are started fought and ended.

In five days my 50 year-old uncle leaves for Ft. Jackson SC. He has been called back after being out for 17 years. Since posting a story about it a couple of weeks ago I have found that he is to be attached to a National Guard unit that is going to Afghanistan. He has no idea why they want him or what he will be doing.

How can war ever be glorious enough to justify the ruin that this will cause in one mans life much less the thousands of deaths and trillions of dollars? We bombed a country flat. We killed men and women and children in their beds so that George Bush could stand on an aircraft carrier and act like he had done something good and noble. I get the idea that the war plan was devised over a drunken game of Risk in a frat house.

We have had many war heroes in our history. We were taught about them in school. How these men had saved our country from certain doom through their heroism. I am sure that any of them would have rather that they didn't have to kill to be a hero. Does the man who has to plunge a bayonet into the gut of another young man just to live another day feel glorious? No, just sick an scared. They train our young men to be killers and send them off to war telling them that they are heroes. The big patriotic lie that young men have fallen for since pre-history.

I have no answers to this mess, No magic idea that could solve the Iraq problem. Only questions.

Where is your glory Mr. bush?

Where are our bravest citizens?

Where are our 10 bazillion dollars?

Where is the pride we used to have in our country?

Where have all the flowers gone?

When will we ever learn?


PS My one thousandth post, thank you all for putting up with the under-informed opinions of a poor uneducated carpenter.

[NC_Nurse]

1. How very eloquent, ac. Thanks for such a thoughtful and moving post.

I wholeheartedly agree with your perspective. :hug:

[annabanana]

2. I remember the post about your Uncle.

I don't remember why, after 17 years he's still on their leash.. My thoughts & prayers go to him and to your family for his safe return.

The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori.

[patrice]

3. I'm sure "DU" hopes your Uncle comes back.

I keep trying to think of things to say, but everything pales and seems silly next to what is happening to him.

Bush's War reveals how soldiers die for Private Interests that are dressed up as this or that. The general opinion of Afghanistan is that it, at least, is more directly involved in terrorism. Still . . . .

One always wonders how many of the "glorious dead" would trade being a "hero" and all of their glory, lock, stock, and barrel, for even a few more minutes of ordinary life amongst those they care about.

God bless your Family. I hear it is good to be un-demanding, but ready to really Listen when t/he/y return/s.

[tabasco]

4. Thanks for the post.

I have become disillusioned because we let it happen again. A trumped-up war for corporate profits.

I was in favor of the military action in Afghanistan but Iraq was clearly intended for profiteering.

[DesertRat]

5. Very well said. K&R

[garthranzz]

6. Your post was worthy of its significance

keep the dialogue going.