Iraq: 5 Years on, nearly 4,000 US dead

I remember the foggy morning of September 11th, 2001 – and thinking that this tragic moment would largely mold the next 50 years of politics and conflict. It’s been 7 and half years since then, and on March 20th, it will be 5 years since the US invaded Iraq, the first conflict in which this country has waged a pre-emptive and aggressive war against a nation that had not attacked us. Another somber milestone is coming: according to Lunaville, the US military death toll in Iraq is approaching 4,000 brave men and women.

The economic and social costs of this war are nearly incalculable, but in the case that the war will cost $2 Trillion or more, the costs are better described as unimaginable. Sadly, all of this is not to mention the terrible suffering of the Iraqi people (here’s a link to documented casualties only), and the many implications that will follow from the devolution of American integrity and freedom that has occurred since September 11th.

Away on Vacation

For the next three weeks, I’ll be on the other side of the world – South Africa, specifically. Spring will be approaching, lions will be roaring, and I will likely have limited access to the ninernet. I mean internet.

So hold onto your suspenders and wait for updates. Many photos will be posted upon my return.

My question: How & Why for war support?

A recent NY Times Poll indicates that support for the US-led war in Iraq has risen slightly. Still, a slim majority of American (51%) believe that the US should have stayed out of the war. Isn’t that enough of an impetus to begin a withdrawal. And we wonder why they hate us (honestly, the first paragraph is enough).

One issue raised by the pollsters is that promises of a forthcoming military report (due in September) have given the administration more breathing room. But what good is it to place hopes in a future report, moreover, one which is intangible to the situations on the ground in Iraq. Papers don’t stop the killing, neither do poorly designed, but nevertheless informative charts.

So again, I’m going to ask, how, why and where is there support for this war? Gosh I feel impotent about all this.