The invasion of Iraq is a disaster, and the true victims of this disaster, along with the Iraqi people, are our brave men and women in uniform and their families. Instead of being welcomed as "liberators" with flowers and dancing in the streets, as promised, our soldiers are the daily targets of rocket-propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices, sniper attacks and suicide bombers.
More than 1,050 brave Americans have died since the invasion began and more than 7,500 have been wounded. The flag-draped coffins of those who have paid the ultimate price are still being sneaked into Dover Air Force Base at night to hide the true cost of this war from the American people. Soldiers who have lost arms, legs, eyesight, mobility and independence face years of surgery and rehabilitation in a Veterans Administration system stretched to the breaking point to meet their needs.
"Stay the course," no matter how often repeated, is neither a battle plan nor an exit strategy. And "Mission Accomplished" is a cruel joke for those still fighting and dying in Iraq.
The men and women who are fighting this elective war are heroes. Those at the White House and the Pentagon, who send our troops marching into the valley of the shadow of death are not, and we must hold them accountable for this carnage.
Ann; Jost
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Rochester;
