Memorial Day

I was wished to have a good holiday today. This is Memorial Day, the day to remember the brave soldiers who have given their lives in past wars. As the number of fallen soldiers in our present war is reaching 3500, and the death sentence of more brave soldiers was just signed into law this week, I have a hard time having a good "holiday" today. I will not be bar-b-queing. I will not be celebrating anything.

Does anyone realize that close to 3/4 of million Iraqis have died at the hands of a flawed ideal? That the cost of this war will reach the trillian dollar amount? (Imagine what the money could have done for us here at home.) Staying in this war is making the world even less safe.

I'm tired of the slogans: war on terror, when they stand up - we'll stand down, they'll follow us home. Over 50% of the Iraqi parliament voted this week for a deadline to troop withdawal by the Americans. Can't our administration see that not only the American people want this to end, but no one wants us there anymore?

I love my country, and it's falling apart because of this situation. It is not unpatritotic to want to have peace, diplomacy, and an army that is safe. Support of the troops is bringing them home safely. And I have to question myself, will we get our dignity back in my lifetime? Or will the ignorance of the true problems of our world, lead to its demise?

This memorial day I remember all the deaths, not just the soldiers, that come from war. I really wish for a day when the people in charge realize that war is not the solution to our problems. I wish safety for those fighting today and for however long this administration deems it necessary to continue this travesty. I don't want to celebrate death this "holiday," I want more life.