A Simple Question
This is a simple question that has two parts.
First a definition of terms: we will consider children between the ages of three and seven years old, inclusive, meaning children three, four, five, six and seven years old, of both sexes, boys and girls. This group was chosen because this age group represents children old enough to have developed a personality, a sense of self and the ability to understand to some extent that they are alive, have a life of their own and have a drive toward the continuation and protection of that life. The age of seven was chosen as the upper limit because few seven year olds have a detailed understanding of politics and world events. This group was chosen because of their tendency toward innocence and an unspoiled nature.
Now, the first question:
How many children in this group were killed violently, having their bodies ripped apart and scattered by fire and explosions and shrapnel, during "Shock and Awe" in Iraq?
It should be relatively easy to estimate this number. They saw their parents and siblings smashed and dismembered while their homes, their sanctuaries, were violently destroyed, suffering horrible deaths in order to humble and terrify the civilian populace to make it easier for our troops to take charge. How many died in that operation?
How many continue to die these deaths every week as we continue the war?
Now the second question:
How many of these deaths are too many? ten thousand? a hundred? one?
Is there any condition or result that makes these deaths necessary, worthwhile? Is there ever anything that justifies this kind of "collateral damage?"
I propose that a person's answer to these simple questions defines that person and that person's right to continue to live and breath the same air as the rest of us.
Now, here is a third question, for free: what should be done to persons who promoted these deaths for the benefit of their own personal gain by lying, skewing evidence and misusing political power? What form should justice take?
I have not even mentioned the children who did not die in the firestorm, those who were blinded, severely disabled, driven permanently insane by what they saw and experienced during their early childhood at the hands of our armed forces, directed by our national political leaders, but they are real people and their suffering is real.
You are defined in the eyes of God and man and possibly by yourself by how you answer these questions. Are you satisfied with your definition?
-Rocky Frisco, pianist
Six Iraqis killed as occupiers fight insurgents
Clarksville Leaf Chronicle
"U.S. soldiers fought with suspected insurgents using a building as a
safe house in Ramadi on Tuesday, killing one Iraqi man and five
females, ranging in age from an infant to teenagers, the U.S. military
said. Ramadi, 70 miles west of Baghdad, has been the scene of some of
Iraq's fiercest fighting between U.S. forces and Sunni insurgents. It
is the capital of Anbar province, where many Iraqi insurgents are
based." (11/28/06)
Five children, all girls, killed in fire and bullets and explosions, to kill one man,
who was thought to be "an insurgent." No Trial, no investigation, just instant "karma."
Does this policy please you? Satisfy your sense of justice? Are you willing to support it?
Are you willing to fail to oppose it? Will you remain silent while our country does this?
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