The Perpetual War

This proud US Army veteran's thoughts for the day:


As we approach Veterans Day, historically Armistice Day of the War to End All Wars, and this year on the poignant date of 11/11/11, consider the fact that we are now 10 years at war in Afghanistan. What is the point of it? How many more of our fine young people must our so-called leaders in Washington D.C. continue to allow to be killed or maimed for life before they call a halt to the madness?


Oh, excuse me.  I forgot: neither our President nor a majority of members of Congress have ever faced a draft; have ever worn a military uniform; or have ever shared in the burdens and sacrifices that today's young people in uniform and their families are making every day of the year.  For 10 years the mantra has been: have the less than 0.5% of Americans who proudly wear the military uniform carry the burden of fighting and suffering, while the 99.5% balance of us remains blissfully unaffected and urged to "go shopping".


Not only is this policy morally repugnant, it is also fiscally irresponsible.  The continuance of the huge and totally unnecessary $ expenditures to finance this stupid useless war truly affects all of us, as evidenced by our current economic crisis.


Now, to add insult to injury, we have US Army Major General Peter Fuller in-country speak out and "tell it as it is" about Afghanistan and its dubious so-called leadership, only to be repudiated for his brutally honest appraisals. Obviously the truth cannot be handled, and so it must be squashed.


Enough is enough of this total nonsense on the part of chest thumpers in sacrificing thousands of precious lives and wasting trillions of dollars.  Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Senate Majority Leader, and to all of your cohorts and minions: Bring our troops home NOW!