They know the war is never-ending

[this_side_up]

This one is maimed for life.


...

His son comes out of the bedroom, leaning on his walker, fumbling with bandages. Asked about the war and how the Marines view the fighting to come, he says, "It's going to be OIF 17."

OIF? "Operation Iraqi Freedom," the former basketball player says. "There was OIF-1, then Operation Enduring Freedom. There'll be OIF 17. Our kids, our kids' kids, are going to be fighting in this. That's what we all think."

He lowers himself to the floor. His leg is wrapped in an erector set. His sister sits in her purple nightgown on the couch. There's a $12 Christmas tree in the corner, but I search in vain for the angels hanging, calm and bright, over the open wounds.


http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/steve_duin/index.ssf?/base/news/1103806521248030.xml

[Minstrel Boy]

1. For the grievously wounded, the grieving and the survivors,

it will never be over, even if it someday is. Which it won't be.

Iraq will never be over, because unlike Vietnam, it's not a domino. Dominating the diminishing oil reserves of the Middle East is not a sideshow; it is the essence of US strategic interest. We're talking about the centerpiece of empire in the New American Century. So this war - and it will not be contained to Iraq - will not be over until the American Empire itself falls.

Iraq is not Vietnam, because the war won't end with a dash for the helicopter on the roof of the Baghdad embassy. It will end with a dash for Marine One on the grounds of the White House.

[this_side_up]

3. Too true, Minstrel Boy

I still have trouble getting my brain to accept
the fact that this country is going down, big time.

Every aspect of life here will change radically.
And the religious nuts will be grabbing as much
power as they can and brainwashing their adherents
to go out and convert more people.

Fleeing the WH in Marine One....interesting concept.
Now I am wondering what their plans are and just
where do they flee to? and how long they think
*anyone* will protect them, even with a salary of
30 million/year.

Arrgh. I gotta get out of the house for a while.

I usually lurk. If I am posting, overall conditions
are worsening.

[mediaman007]

5. and thus you have described their "Rapture."

The resources will be gone. Most likely there will be anarchy.

Europe is right to keep their distance from the United States. We have a death wish.

[tillary adams]

2. Incredibly sad and scary

I think that the administration wants a permanent state of war to assert american power in the world.

[this_side_up]

4. Hi Tillary

Read Mistrel's post above. He has it together.
and concisely.

I do not think the Republicans quite grasp all
of the implications and coming end results of
what they have done over the decades and what
they are doing now.

I feel for this kid. I think he wanted a better
life for himself rather than follwoing his
parents' level and behavior.

But to get to a better level, he joined the
service for the training and college money.

No one should have to join the military in
order to get a college education or job
training.

[caligirl]

6. WE SHOULD EITHER GET OUT NOW OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE JANUARY ELECTIONS.

LYNN WOOLSEY 6 TERM CONGRESSWOMAN FROM PETALUMA SAYS NATION'S DEFENSE SECTY MUST GO. SHE SAYS HE SHOULD BE FIRED, OR SAVE FACE AND RESIGN. WOOLSEY SAYS SHE WAS TERRIFIED BY IMAGES OF THE MESS HALL SUICIDE BOMBING AT A MOSUL MILITARY BASE. SHE SAYS IT SHOWS HOW IRRESPONSIBLE WE ARE BEING OVER THERE. THERE WERE NEAR MSISES FOR MONTHS AND THEY WERE STILL EATING IN TENTS AND UNPROTETECTED. SHE HAS OPPOSED WAR, BUT SUPPORTED TROOPS FOR LONG TIME, BUT NOW SHE SAYS WE SHOULD EITHER GET OUT NOW OR IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE JANUARY ELECTIONS. SHE ALSO WORRIED SOME OF THE RROOPS IN THE MOSUL BOMBING MIGHT BE IN THE BAY AREA,. SHE SAYS SHE FEELS LIKE A FAILURE. HOW COULD THIS BE HAPPENING ON MY WATCH WHEN ALL THIS IS HAPPENING.
BROLL 13:57:26
SOT: 13:58:41 "I AM TRULY SADDENED BY THE THOUGHT THAT ANYONE COULD
HAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT I, OR OTHERS HERE, ARE DOING ANYTHING OTHER
THAN WORKING URGENTLY TO SEE THAT THE LIVES OF THE FIGHTING MEN AND
WOMEN ARE PROTECTED AND ARE CARED FOR IN EVERY WAY HUMANLY POSSIBLE." 13:58:57

Lyn Woolsey is from the Petaluma area of the Bay area. She was interviewed on KPIX channel 5 yesterday, this is a transcript.