Thoughts on War
Sorry, I never promised I'd post regularly, but I did hope I could get myself into the habit...
I've been mulling this one over for awhile. I think I mentioned before that I listen to NPR - Morning Edition on the way to work and All Things Considered on the way home. Since my commute is about 45 minutes, I get a good dose of public radio.
They somewhat regularly do a profile on a soldier or marine who has been killed in Iraq, interviewing their family and friends in a manner that gives you a real feel for who that person was, their hopes and dreams, and just how much has been lost in that one life. How their death affects not only their immediate circle of family and friends, but how it extrapolates out into what they could have been, what they could have done. If only...
That one story puts the war right smack in my face, in a way that the newspaper or evening news broadcasts can't do. I think that as a society we have become somewhat immune to the daily reports of suicide bombers, battles and roadside IEDs. But a simple interview with one soldier's mother, father, wife, husband, child - this has the power to reach out and smack us 'upside the head' to get our attention.
I've been waiting since the beginning of the year when the new session of Congress started, with the Democrats in control, for something to change. Instead, it's more of the same - political games, procedural delays, and nothing is done.
For crying out loud - people are DYING and these men and women whom we elected to serve OUR best interests are continuing to do absolutely nothing. It really does amaze me...
So, here's an idea. I think that every single member of the Senate and the House of Representatives should meet face-to-face with the family of every single member of the Armed Forces that is sent home in a body bag. Let them express their sympathies directly to each mother, and explain to each child why their son/daughter/father/mother had to die. We let our elected officials get off much too easily, without having to take responsibility for continuing to send our sons and daughters into harm's way.
It's ridiculous really - these people work for US! They need to listen to US!
Oh, and just so we're clear on this:
I've been mulling this one over for awhile. I think I mentioned before that I listen to NPR - Morning Edition on the way to work and All Things Considered on the way home. Since my commute is about 45 minutes, I get a good dose of public radio.
They somewhat regularly do a profile on a soldier or marine who has been killed in Iraq, interviewing their family and friends in a manner that gives you a real feel for who that person was, their hopes and dreams, and just how much has been lost in that one life. How their death affects not only their immediate circle of family and friends, but how it extrapolates out into what they could have been, what they could have done. If only...
That one story puts the war right smack in my face, in a way that the newspaper or evening news broadcasts can't do. I think that as a society we have become somewhat immune to the daily reports of suicide bombers, battles and roadside IEDs. But a simple interview with one soldier's mother, father, wife, husband, child - this has the power to reach out and smack us 'upside the head' to get our attention.
I've been waiting since the beginning of the year when the new session of Congress started, with the Democrats in control, for something to change. Instead, it's more of the same - political games, procedural delays, and nothing is done.
For crying out loud - people are DYING and these men and women whom we elected to serve OUR best interests are continuing to do absolutely nothing. It really does amaze me...
So, here's an idea. I think that every single member of the Senate and the House of Representatives should meet face-to-face with the family of every single member of the Armed Forces that is sent home in a body bag. Let them express their sympathies directly to each mother, and explain to each child why their son/daughter/father/mother had to die. We let our elected officials get off much too easily, without having to take responsibility for continuing to send our sons and daughters into harm's way.
It's ridiculous really - these people work for US! They need to listen to US!
Oh, and just so we're clear on this:
- I am an Air Force veteran.
- I fully support our troops.
- I do not support the war in Iraq.
posted by EagleEyeFran at 3/01/2007 10:30:00 PM
9 Comments:
I think President Bush does invite family members of slain soldiers to meet with him in the White House. I give him props for that. I also recall reading, or seeing on the news, that Donald Rumsfeld went to quite a few funerals at Arlington.
I'm sorry to say I don't expect much from this Congress, and so far that's about what I'm getting.
I think that I might have blogged that I write to a couple of soldiers from Fort Bragg. The letters are getting more and more depressing. One of them, Cliff, wrote that they go out every day, no rest, no break. I'm worried that one of my letters will be returned and I'll find his name online somewhere....
I agree with you, Fran. This political chess match is BULLSHIT.
I agree EagleEye!!!
And very cool you were in the service.
I'm on your side, even tho' I was in the Navy! :) (at least you weren't a Marine!!)
... and I'm sending my baby (Alex, 17) to the Air Force in July. Right before his 18th birthday. Sigh.
... today we're taking my older son to buy himself a road bike (not a crotch rocket). Sigh.
... I know, I know. I'm torn between wanting to protect them, and wanting to let them make their own choices and hope the consequences don't catch up with them. Especially not at the same time. Being a mother is so much of what and who I am, I wouldn't know what to do or how to be without them. Sigh.
Hey there...hopped on over from Sassy's blog. I'm going to add you to my fave sites on my blog if that's cool with you. I already have Sassy on there.
I absolutely agree with you. I am tired of hearing the "you don't support our troops" argument the president started to pit us against each other and deny us the open communication and disagreements that come with a free nation. This entire presidency has been based on fear. How much can we scare the American people so that we can pass corrupt legislation while they are defending the troops and fighting one another over loyalty?
One big distraction..that is all this presidency will be known for in the years to come. I truly believe that.
i think that all politicians who advocate conflict, regardless of who they are, which country they're from, get put into a room with the counterparts and let them fight it out. it'll certainly save the livesof many soldiers and perhaps we'd have a few less wars.
people forget that each person who does in a war has a family. we also forget about civilian casualties.
i hate war. can you tell?
Rumour has it that somebody needs to do a review of the new Harry Potter movie!!!! ;)
Hugs!
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