"War would end if the dead could return" ~ Stanley Baldwin

Yesterday I addressed the morality and fiscal irresponsibility of America's obsession with war. What I didn't mention was our individual and personal lack of involvement in the two wars. Sure we pay our taxes to support the wars, bitching all the while. Yes, we wave our flags from time to time, and blissfully ignore the long faded "Support Our Troops" stickers peeling from our cars, SUVs and pickups.

But what of our personal sacrifices? The sacrifices of our men and women in uniform? You do realize that in a real war John Wayne doesn't just get winged in the arm, don't you?

Listen closely to the words of this Liam Clancy song and imagine a different war, one with American soldiers, though it shouldn't make a difference.



If that didn't move you then get a copy of the Dalton Trumbo book or movie, Johnny Got His Gun.

And, in closing:

"Darkness imprisoning me
All that I see
Absolute horror
I cannot live
I cannot die
Trapped in myself
Body my holding cell

Landmine has taken my sight
Taken my speech
Taken my hearing
Taken my arms
Taken my legs
Taken my soul
Left me with life in hell"

- Metallica, from the album … And Justice for All (1988)