CNN reports that the number of American military deaths in Iraq had passed the 2,000 mark.
The difference between 1,999 deaths and 2,000 deaths speaks more to a fondness of round numbers than to any trend. It’s a grim milestone – a chance to stop and reflect on what George Bush is doing to America’s military families.
2,000 dead soldiers is 2,000 grieving mothers, 2,000 grieving fathers. It’s thousands of children, cousins, aunts and uncles. It’s friends, co-workers, lovers, husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends. It’s childhood memories. First kisses. Camping trips. Getting stoned with buddies. Shoplifting at 13. Standing with friends. Fights. Tears. Laughs. Hugs.
2,000 dead soldiers is over 100,000 dead Iraqi civilians. And that is over 200,000 parents. Countless children, cousins, aunts and uncles. Countless hugs, tears, joys and all the other little things in life.
Tip: Kos
Cross posted: Political Porn
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~ Posted earlier in diary by RubDMC :: Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) Day 153 ~
What did Lt. Col. Steve Boylan mean by saying it’s not a moment of memory?
It’s unfortunate we have to account for our dead soldiers, our policy is set not to count Iraqi deaths, how tragic most incidents are.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Steve Boylan, director of the force’s combined press center, described the number as an “artificial mark on the wall.”
“I ask that when you report on the events, take a moment to think about the effects on the families and those serving in Iraq,” Boylan said in an e-mail. “The 2,000 service members killed in Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom is not a milestone.
It is an artificial mark on the wall set by individuals or groups with specific agendas and ulterior motives.”
LEAVE … Iraq to the Iraqis
“Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.”
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