One Life Lost: Is One Life To Many

The Headline?

Iraq bridge collapse traps U.S. soldiers

I read this article earlier today, and while it saddened me that once again, life has been lost, I didn't know how it would affect me personally. Well, I suppose I should rephrase that, it doesn't affect me personally, it affected someone whom I love very dearly.

Everyday it seems as if the war over there creeps closer and closer to home. My only experience so far with injuries in Iraq have been with a dear friend whose life has been forever altered. He was lucky though, he lived. Even though, half of his face was blown off and he lost an eye, he is alive. It's been two years since that happened and his life is still in limbo. He is still going through surgeries, procedures, etc, with no end truly in sight. His life and his families lives have been forever changed. But yet, they give me hope, for they have prevailed and made the best of the circumstances.

People ask me all the time how can I oppose something that the love of my life is doing. My answer is simply this: It is his job. He is part of our military and he does what he is ordered to do. Does he want to be there? No, I'm sure he doesn't. I know he would rather be here with his family, safe and sound every night, as opposed to wondering if the next mission will be his last, or if his friends will make it back alive and in one piece. It isn't him or the troops I oppose, it is this war. It is our reasoning for being there.

The piece I wrote earlier about those of us who are left behind focused on feelings that I struggle with, anger I deal with. Not directed at him, but at the situation. At this stupid senseless war. At the reckless disregard our government has about placing our men and women in a situation where they can't prevail. The enemy is unseen. The enemy remains hidden behind the normalcy of life. Those who oppose our presence there are many, we are few.

Today's headlines will be the same tomorrow, just as they were yesterday. The same result, just different incidents involving different people. When will it be enough? How many more lives will be taken before this madness ends?

How many more lives will be forever altered?

I sit here, in the comfort of our home, safe from the dangers of the night, but yet my heart bleeds. With every incident that happens, I feel the loss of our sons and daughters, but yet I will never know the true pain, the true heartache. For I have never experienced it. I will never know what it feels like to have a buddy get killed or injured beside me, or have them leave in the morning, never to return. I will never be able to understand. I will never truly know how he feels.

I don't know how many times I have said it (it's never enough), but it's time to bring our troops home.

It's Our Right To Tell YOU What To Do!

So, I was laying bed last night watching the History Channel, I start watching a show called History Declassified, profiling Ayatollah Khomeini and his rise to political power, the steps that took place, so on so forth... After that show was over, another came on about the History of Iran. Very interesting stuff, especially with the tensions increasing in that area.

How many times has it been said, all great empires fall.....Why, do we as men, seek to reinstate that power? I do feel bad for them. Persia was a great empire! Highly enlightened, developed, and well run.Cyrus the Great was an awesome ruler! My opinion of course, take it or leave it...Obviously, he was doing something right, since the empire still continued to run successfully for over a hundred years after his death. But then of course entered Alexander The Great and all came to an end... Of course you have to admire him as well.....

But, I am getting off track here...

Healthy Debate if you will...

Questions: How would you feel if two countries joined together and put our next leader into power so their interests could be protected? What steps would you take to ensure that doesn't happen again? How would you defend your rights?

My response to this is long, so bear with me....

If, I was a citizen of a country and knew that my political leader was a puppet on a string, I would be outraged...(oh, wait, our leader is a puppet on a string, working for the big corporations, not our interests....my opinion folks, take it or leave it) I would want to see that person put out of power. Now, here is the tricky part though, Who is the best to take their place?

Granted, Shah Pahlavi did great things for their industries, but as far the people of the country go, he didn't do much. He was a puppet doing as he was directed to do. Things only can get worse, as we all remember they did....

Enter the Ayatollah Khomeini. Here is a religious leader, who was respected and loved by many, stepping up, causing outcries for change among the people. His goal? To bring Iran back to it's former glory with no outside interference, no one trying to take over, no outside interests pulling the strings. After all, they were once great...Until they were invaded by Alexander and it was all downhill from there.Admirable? Maybe....should we still be concerned? You betcha...Did you know that every Friday after prayers, they still gather to holler Death to America? By the thousands...They blame us for their hardships. Are they validated in doing so? I don't know, you be the judge....

Ayatollah Khomeini, is dead and gone now...but the people still remember him and honor him. His views are still shared by many of the people.

Now, lets move forward to the present.

Ahmadinejad, elected as president August of 2005. He was the only candidate that spoke out against future relations with the US. Once again, should we be concerned?

Just a few news bits lately:

Iranian officials have warned repeatedly that they may feel forced to respond aggressively if the Security Council takes action against them, but their strongest words were reserved for the United States. Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, told the gathered ambassadors in Vienna on Wednesday: "The United States has the power to cause harm and pain, but the United States is also susceptible to harm and pain. So if that is the path that the U.S. wishes to choose, let the ball roll out."
When asked if Iran, the world's fourth-largest oil supplier, would use its oil exports as a weapon to punish the West, Javad Vaeedi, deputy head of Iran's National Security Council, said: "We will not do so now, but if the situation changes we will have to review our oil policies." Los Angeles Times, March 9,2006.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the West could not force Iran to give up its right to nuclear power through "bullying and brutality".
US officials have called for continued international pressure on Iran.
The UN nuclear agency has decided to send a report on Iran's nuclear activity to the UN Security Council.
"Western countries know that they are not capable of inflicting the slightest blow on the Iranian nation because they need the Iranian nation," Mr Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying in a speech. "They will suffer more and they are vulnerable," he said, without elaborating.
BBC NEWS, March 9, 2006.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) March 10, 2006 - President George W. Bush said on Friday he assumed Iran's threat to impose pain and suffering on the United States was related to the U.S. need for imported energy resources.

I only have one response to this.... Hasn't anyone told you about assuming things Bush??? All it does it make an ASS out of U and ME......I think it is very arrogant and naive to underestimate the power of an ANGRY country...

In short, not that any of my writings are that, I can understand the outrage of the Iranian people. I understand the steps that they have taken. I understand their need to be thriving, healthy, and free from all outside influences. But, do I condone war? Hell NO! Do I want them developing nuclear warheads? Hell NO!! But, on the flipside of that, I am not so naive to think that our country doesn't have a few of those armed and ready if necessary....

So, who are we to tell them, that they can't have them as well?