What is the point of Iraq deaths? BY ANDREW GREELEY- WOW

[jbfam4]

What is the point of Iraq deaths?

http://www.suntimes.com/news/greeley/147970,CST-EDT-GREEL24.article
November 24, 2006
BY ANDREW GREELEY

They died defending American freedom? But American freedom was never at issue. They died to protect the country from weapons of mass destruction, to create a democracy in the midst of the Arab world, to win a victory that would enhance American credibility, to keep faith with those who had already died, to get rid of Saddam Hussein, because the president said it was the right thing to do, because Iraq was the central front in the war or terror?

Or should they be told the real truth? Their young person died because of the arrogance and the ignorance of the American government, because of mistakes and blunders, because some of our leaders thought the war was a good thing, because it would take pressure off of Israel, because of Arab oil.

President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney killed them.

Most Americans agree that the war was mistaken in its inception and mismanaged in its execution. If some of that majority do not also feel the grief and the pain and the rage, the only reason is that they have hardened their hearts in the name of patriotism or party loyalty or the words of the bible. God have mercy on those with hard hearts.

God forgive us for the war, especially those who voted for it in 2004, and especially the pundits, the commentators, the editorial writers who supported the war until almost the last moment and are still willing to accept more casualties so this country and its president can escape with some dignity.

It's a shame there will be no war crimes trials.

[rosesaylavee]

1. That's more like it.

I would like to see it in other papers now too.

AND, I look forward to the trials. As there needs to be a few.

[mike_c]

2. K&R-- and I don't think it's a given...

...that there won't be war crimes trials. Not this time.

[ooglymoogly]

19. amen!!! nt

[ooglymoogly]

20. these hated men now in charge

recklessly and carelessly marching us into a war with the flower of our brave young for fun and profit to say nothing of the hundreds of thousands of innocent iraqis for which we must forever bear this heavy burden deserve no mercy. they need to be strung up or at the very least rot in prison to contemplate such evil most of us cannot comprehend and i don't care that the evil that these men have done will be buried with their bones...the world needs to heal but we must never forget.

[no_hypocrisy]

3. By arbitrarily and capriciously removing one democratically-elected

leader of another country, the U.S. has caused the death and wounding of hundreds of thousands of innocent people in their home country, destroyed their society and culture, robbed them of hope of a present and future, and let this country fall into the abyss in the process. I don't know how this country can be worthy of receiving forgiveness from them all.

[FightingIrish]

4. The reason that he left out is that we are also

staying the course to defend the legacy of the lunatic that got us into this mess. If we were to do the honorable thing and admit our error to the world, we would also have to relegate * to the cesspool of history. Lame as he is now, admitting his blunder would be the end of his sham presidency.

[The Wizard]

30. Why

disparage cesspools?

[Vidar]

5. Greeley gets it right. Recommended.

[Obsolete]

6. Father Andrew Greeley

Father Andrew Greeley is always worth reading...
:)

[NMDemDist2]

7. indeed

I just finished one and am well into another

[scarletwoman]

8. Most excellent! k & r (nt)

[glitch]

9. He misses the massive profits made by the perpetrators, which should be hammered.

"because it would take pressure off of Israel, because of Arab oil" just doesn't do the scam justice.

[DesertRat]

10. Father Greeley always speaks the truth

I love his eloquent writing. :thumbsup:

[elehhhhna]

11. Don't forget Bush & Cheney's BLATANT self-dealing of contracts to Carlyle, HAL & KBR

k&r

[Christa]

12. K & R - nt.

[Poiuyt]

13. "President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney killed them."

Great editorial!

[Martin Eden]

14. "God have mercy on those with hard hearts."

Then God have mercy on ME, for my heart has hardened against the criminals in the White House who have caused so much death and grief and who have done so much damage to the country I love.

[indepat]

15. Why should God's forgiveness be requested when those who started the war and supported the war

have done nothing wrong for in their view it was perfectly alright to do and continue to do what is being and has been done. Besides with forgiveness, reparations on a massive scale would surely be some small part of the atonement.

[madrchsod]

16. he always points to the truth

great writer and man.

[ninkasi]

17. In all of the many, many thousands of deaths

Father Greeley gives us the bottom line truth..."President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney killed them."

That is the bitter truth that America lives with. Here, at DU, most of us were opposed to this war. We knew it was a sham, that Saddam was not the danger the Chimp's administration claimed he was, and that the ultimate result of an unprovoked war would be blood and death and maiming and violence. We knew that lives would be ripped apart, that innocent blood would be shed, and that our country would live with years of shame for our arrogance.

The fact that most of America now sees the war as a grave error, and Bush as a liar and a coward, will not bring one Iraqi citizen, or one American back to life. The ones who have been blown apart, savagely killed, shot, or tortured, will not come back to the ones who loved them simply because the facade Bush hides behind is being stripped away.

Millions of us, here in America, or in the coalition forces, and millions of Iraqis and other Muslims are now dead, beyond our reach. Many, many others are beyond our ability to heal them, and restore them to health in mind or body. Billions of dollars that so many slaved for have been squandered in this obscene travesty of righteous right-wing delusions. Americans will be the ones to atone, because what is America, but we, the people, the citizens of our country.

There is not an entity named "America", that will need to dig deeper into it's pockets, or suffer punishment, for the wrongs which have been committed in America's name. The money comes from those of us who labor, and the punishment falls upon those of us who were powerless to stop this insane war. Jenna and Barbara Bush, or Mary Cheney, will not have to worry about their heirs paying heavily for this debacle, because the ones who wanted, and lobbied for this war, are the ones who will be shielded from it's economic and moral impact.

If one of them ever decides that life in America is uncomfortable, all they need to do is move to another country, and live in luxury in a safer place. They need not worry about finding a job, or meeting another country's requirements for citizenship, their trust funds and bank accounts are a mighty buffer between them and the rest of us. They will be able to live then, as now, insulated from the painful realities that their parents have created.

There are so many people whose lives have been shattered, right now, today, who cannot see a way out of their misery, or a future made brighter simply because we, and other countries, leave them alone. At this time of giving thanks, and of holidays approaching, I ache for the holiday that would truly bind and heal us all, a day to observe that all are created equal, and that we will only be able to survive if we all come together, and unite for peace, and understanding. While there are men like Bush, and Cheney in positions of power, however, that togetherness will not come to be.

They are only able to rule by fear, and dividing the rest of us. They will only prosper as we suffer. The things that horrify us, and make us back away, are the same things that animate them, and give them power. All I can say, or hope, or pray for now, is a brighter, saner, more loving future for the rest of us.

[mwb970]

26. I want Bush and Cheney brought to justice.

There is no logical reason why these "leaders" cannot be tried for their crimes like so many before them. They are not Supermen. They are criminals. It is endlessly frustrating for me how long it has taken for us to be allowed to even criticize them, when we should be preparing to imprison them!

[ninkasi]

34. I agree

At the very least, they should be tried and imprisoned for their crimes. Why should a casual marijuana smoker get jail time, while the evil men who have caused the destruction of so many lives go free? After that, every single penny of their assets should be used to help mitigate the suffering their lies have caused. It's truly bizarre, isn't it, to see them go free?

[nolabels]

38. They are but arrogant and foolish pawns to a industrial-military complex

We will keep on having this kind of thing happen (or worse) till we all become brave enough to make our brothers and sisters live in and work for peace. To think people would follow those two fools to the very end is hard to comprehend sometimes.

The way I see it is that the problem with the USA is that critical thinking is never taught or learned in any social sphere. To question everything is fundamental task that every human should be taught to do at the earliest age

[yurbud]

18. this is the way Democrats need to talk. It isn't "strident" to flatly tell the truth and if it gets

reported on, it should be up to the White House to rebut it.

[Marrak]

21. Father Greeley speaks truth......

They died to protect the country from weapons of mass destruction, to create a democracy in the midst of the Arab world, to win a victory that would enhance American credibility, to keep faith with those who had already died, to get rid of Saddam Hussein, because the president said it was the right thing to do, because Iraq was the central front in the war or terror?

Or should they be told the real truth? Their young person died because of the arrogance and the ignorance of the American government, because of mistakes and blunders, because some of our leaders thought the war was a good thing...

Kick!

[Marrak]

22. Iraq's Reality

Author David Rieff bluntly advises, {i] “It is time to put the fucking troops on the fucking planes. Now! Before any more of our children die for their country's hubris.”

<http://www.tompaine.com/articles/2006/11/22/iraqs_reality_bandwagon.php>

[Raster]

23. We need to start a grassroots campaign. Email, blogging, freeway blogging.

Whatever it takes to present a simple message as in-your-face as possible:

Bring Them Home.

[buddysmellgood]

24. Oh ye of little faith. There WILL be war crimes trials, just you wait.

[Felinity]

25. And now they die

... to save face for our unelected president

... to give value to the deaths of those who died before them

... to prevent total chaos in Iraq

... to prove that the United States will gladly sacrifice blood and money to keep the world from blaming us for not adhering to the "Pottery Barn Rule"

... to keep alive the dim light of rapidly waning hope that we can ever fix what we have so irretrievably broken

... because the Ones that put them there do not care and have never valued the lives that are a-wasting in Iraq; because they have suffered nothing, and gained fortunes while exploiting every human being in Iraq, and beyond

... because the Ones that got us into this mess feast on the suffering of others.

Let us not cut and run. Let us stay and bleed, from the veins of the troops, from the empty storehouse of our Nation's treasure.

Let us Bleed.

(do I need the "sarcasm" smilie here?)

[cyclezealot]

27. going to war w/o UN authorization/ violation of Geneva convention

There is a need for war crime hearings. Won't happen. Our American dead died for George Bush's vanity and foolishness. All other supposed reasons died within one month of occupying Iraq. Maybe some Americans can live with unnecessary American dead, but I bet the Iraqi's can't live with their dead and a bomb shelled countryside.

[thinks4herself]

28. People with hardened hearts are usually chickenhawks...

At least, this is what I've noticed--The people who don't care about the loss of our troops usually have never and would never serve, especially in war. Even Bush and Cheney avoided combat and neither one gives a rat's ass about the suffering they've caused. They are black hearts.

I've also heard people stating that the troops volunteered and knew they could pay the ultimate price. In other words, it's o.k. if BushCo plays fast and loose with lives because the troops are volunteers and dispensable. Brings me back to thinking a draft might be a good idea (though doubt it would happen unless Bush does bomb Iran and escalates the entire situation and there's no choice any longer)...

http://www.blackheartscrooksliars.com">Black Hearts

[JoMama49]

29. I think this is what Cindy Sheehan has been sayin for a couple years n/t

[ClintonTyree]

31. He missed a reason.

'The Rapture'........ :puke: The fundies see this as a way to hasten the rapture, a way to get Jesus off his lazy, fat ass and return to earth so they can be sucked up to heaven and float on clouds for a eternity. :shrug: They do, really!

[Amonester]

39. What they don't know is The Raptured happened already.

I think a couple of their expert mathematicians did calculate The Rapture to happen on August 3, 2006 (based on the timing of the Lebanon massacre or something like that). Or was it on August 22?? I saw it on the Rapture Ready site. One of their abject lunatics even posted having made her nails ready for the occasion. Anyone saw any posts from that stupid fundie since? (Not that I realy care.)

OP: We must make certain that all war criminals must face justice without exceptions because if we want to create a world without war crimes, that's obviously the way to start... Otherwise: forget it.

Never Forget.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_oet&address=358x3087

[ClintonTyree]

41. That woman had her nails done for the rapture?

:rofl: These people are total idiots. :rofl: Apparently she doesn't even understand what the rapture is if she's prettying herself up before it happens. :rofl: Unfreakingbelievable! :rofl:

[blondeatlast]

32. Greeley is a true servant of God who cares for all of His children,

not just the white, Christian, "pre-born" ones.

As usual, beautifully and simply stated by Father greeley.

[peacetalksforall]

33. They are dying and we are massacring to perpetuate a myth ...

that war is honorable and war is necesseary.

It's taken us 100 years to show five generations of citizens that barons love war - they earn profits and advance control over mere people.

They advanced their agenda big time this time by taking away our rights and changing laws to legalize their thefts.

Why aren't all the reverends speaking or writing out or marching with us?

[classysassy]

36. The Falwells and that ilk

they too are getting rich off the blood of our men and women in uniform,and thousands of innocent men,women and children of Iraq.Shame on us.

[leftchick]

35. The TRUEST Line....

"President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney killed them."

Yes indeed, say it LOUD!

I love you Father!

[orleans]

37. wow is right. i'd recommend but it's past time for that. so i'm kicking

and thanking you for posting this.

[npincus]

40. "President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney killed them."

Damned straight. Isn't manslaughter grounds for impeachment?

[Cha]

42. bush and cheney and the gang.. and

now it's mccain and lieman among others who want more troops to die for them.

[vkobaya]

43. Bush/Cheney Murdered 655,000

Bush Cheney did not kill 655,000. They are not guilty of
manslaughter. Far from it. No, it was premeditated murder.
They knew they were going to kill Iraqis, kill lots and lots
of Iraqis. As it turned out they were right to the tune of
655,000, 3,700 last month, 202 on Thanksgiving Day. They
wanted to kill them because they are bigots, hate Arabs and
Muslims for being different. That is not manslaughter, it is
murder, first degree premeditated murder. That exceeds the
totals of Charlie Manson, Richard Ramirez, Ted Bundy, Theodore
Kuzinski and going back to Lizzie Borden, all combined. All
the insane serial and mass murderers in American history in
their wildest dreams could not have even touched the totals
achieved by this gang of international war criminals, the
criminal occupants in the White House, the unelected chief
executive and his mob of killers. 655,000 was not an accident,
not a statistic, not collateral damage. No, they were mothers,
fathers, grandfathers, grandmothers, sons, daughters, uncles,
aunts, sisters, brother, beloved human beings that Bush and
Cheney obliterated with a smirk and a snear. In one of the old
gangster movies, Mickey Rooney's character went to the
electric chair without fear, without begging and screaming for
mercy. Let's see that sort of courage from Bush, Cheney and
that gang of murdering bastards. I very sincerely doubt they
have that sort of courage or any sort of courage at all.
Rather than try Saddam Hussain, that Iraqi court should have
put Bush and Cheney on trial.

[Anakin Skywalker]

44. Maybe You Can Ask Halliburton CEOs and Others Whose Stocks Soared.