The War

Bush vetoed the War Spending Bill as was expected but he chose to do it yesterday which marked the anniversary of his Mission Accomplished statement. 4 years ago yesterday, he stood on an aircraft carrier and declared mayor combat operations over in Iraq. 4 years, many lives, lots of mistakes later, .... we are where we are, at a stalemate between Bush and Congress.
Whenever I see politicians arguing, I think about the soldiers who are out there, and aren't even aware of what is going on, for the most part, back in DC. Things that affect them directly.
I remember I visited Arlington Cementery in the spring of 2005 to show a cousin who was visiting the DC area. There was an exhibition of paintings of the portraits of the fallen. It broke my heart back then. The casualties had just broken the 1500 barrier or was near there, don't remember quite well. I do remember the messages, the flowers, the photographs, left by family members or comrades, besides the portraits. The mean age of the fallen always shocks me. I ask myself what was I doing when I was 19, 20, 21, 22... so many young lives lost, for the twisted vision, perhaps narrow vision of a few.
"War Pigs" indeed.
I understand the argument to change the Middle East. This war, though, was started under false pretenses. It's scary what lies ahead for the Middle East. Even if Iraq collapses, I think the US should get out of there. It has become like Colin Powell predicted with his supposed Pottery Barn rule of "you break it, you own it". The US "owns" the chaos there but it is beyond their control.
I don't know that anymore blood should be shed for the sake of Oil, democracy or whatever it is the american people think and the Gov't says that the war is being fought for. The reasons keep changing as Keith Olbermann so markedly pointed out in his tuesday broadcast. His conversation with Frank Rich was insightful.
I often ask myself where do the journalists get the info that forms their opinion.
As for the Mission Accomplished thing, Rich pointed out that President Bush must be so sheltered to let his veto coincide with that anniversary. Was no one aware of the coincidence or did they want it that way?