Open Wounds

We have business to get down to now that the election is over. The problem with government is that by the time that we all really start in on making our rhetoric a reality, three months will have passed. Congress will convene on January 20, 2005. Before then we will have our post election planning (that one would have hoped could have happened before the election), Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's, MLK Jr. Day (Jan. 19), and the Presidential inauguration to name just a few. There will be mindless shopping and shameless consumerism. Everything will be made to appear just as it has always been.

Yet, This year will be different.

We have witnessed on our televisions, new papers, magazines, and electronic media the killing of hundreds of America's own. According to Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, as of yesterday Nov. 10th, 1,293 military casualties have occurred. That is one thousand two hundred ninety three sons and daughters that will not be coming home this holiday season or ever again except in a body bag.

Merry Christmas.

The civilian casualties in Iraq are estimated to be between 14,000 and 16,000 according to Iraq Body Count. Numbers are numbers and they are always disputable, however, when you consider we have just shy of 140,000 troops in Iraq, 15,000 or so civilian deaths doesn't seem unlikely. We are currently engaged what is called "nation building" in Iraq. Nation building is a nice euphemism for insurgents and the military bombing the hell out of stuff. Iraq is a modern war. However "modern" it may be, war by its very conception involves killing people and destroying property. Real nation building does not use guns.

If the death toll keeps steady through January we can expect that between 120 and 180 U. S. Soldiers will die. (total # dead [1293] divided by total months in Iraq to date [21] = 61.57 deaths per month on average) From the date of election Nov. 2 to Jan. 20 the date Congress convenes we will have lived through roughly three more months. 3 * 60 = 180

Happy New Year.

180 could be higher, especially with the attacks on Fallujah.

Happy MLK day.

War leaves wounds. Wounds leave scars.

I have a proposal for our lawmakers.

Get your asses to Washington and do something now. You should be there. You should be involved in the process of this war because you approved it. All your Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and congratulations on your election are slighted this year by your faceless and inhuman approach to governing.

I have a proposal/comment for the American people.

During WWII our country did not continue on as usual. We planted victory gardens, bought war bonds, and put our female workforce to work. We didn't have time moan and groan over things. People took action. For those of you who didn't vote this year - shame on you. For those of you more concerned with whether or not gay people marry - shame on you. For those of you to afraid to speak out against killing - including myself on many occations - shame on you.

Conservatives are right we need to return to a nation in which there is values, shame, and consequences. However, we might just want to examine that which we should be more ashamed of.

Lesbians getting married? - Or - Innocent people dieing in Iraq?

Happy Veteran's Day

Last Man Out