Once again the U.S. military is conducting major combat operations in Baghdad's Sadr City slum. Urban street fighting, daytime air strikes, refugees fleeing, the whole 9 yards. The targets are Shiite extremists who have been killing our troops and obstructing the so-called progress of a freely elected Iraqi government. Oh yeah, we are winning but we have to do this sort of thing from time to time -- no biggie.
So for the foreseeable future the violence rages on, US troops will continue to die, Iraqis will die, and according to President Bush it is all for the cause of our freedom here at home.
The Iraqi insurgents hate us for our freedom -- didn't ya know?
Will Americans ever wake up to the harsh reality that is Iraq? At this point it is too frustrating to care or look for an answer to that ridiculous question. Sort of like the definition of insanity when stated as "doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result."
I'm very close to embracing the truism that I can do nothing to stop this tragic war that has been enabled, encouraged, and carried forward by our cowardly Congress along with millions of careless and complacent citizens of this country who, for the most part, have no stake in the game.
On that note ....
Let me tell you who the people are who do care and do have a stake in the game. They are the servicemen and women that make up the Individual Ready Reserve. Most have completed multiple tours in Iraq, have been honorably discharged from the military, and have started new lives with the hopes of putting this horrendous war behind them. Now, many of them are receiving letters in the mail commanding them back to active duty to fight in Iraq -- again.
Can you imagine? If you're not in their shoes probably not. However, my guess is that they feel used and abused by a system that has no consideration or regard for their previous selfless service to this country when they risked death on countless occasions.
These people are walking down the same streets as us every day and we don't even notice them. They are direct, remorseless, sharp, snappy, tenacious, and quite saucy. They are justified in their feelings and deserve better from this country. After all, they have more than earned a right to live their lives in peace.
These "call ups" of those who have already fought in Iraq are a direct result of the unshared sacrifice of the American people who live a life irresponsible citizenship by enjoying the benefits of being an American while turning a blind-eye to the bloodshed.
Most able-bodied "young Republicans" could relieve the stress on our combat vets by enlisting themselves to fight in a war they so ardently support. Anything is possible, but for them to actually put their bodies where their rhetoric is -- not likely. (Yes, I will beat this dead horse into the ground).
Moving on to numero uno -- POTUS.
It must be so easy for George W. Bush knowing that the joke is on all those who have blindly supported him every step of the way either directly or indirectly. Whether you're one of his little toadies in Congress or one of his contemptible street corner subservients, it is inevitable that egg and mud will be dripping off of your faces once the smoke clears.
Soon, President Bush will return to his Texas ranch with millions in the bank while you get to sink with the ship.
But how much damage will be inflicted upon the rest of us while we wait? As I search for an answer to that question I can't help but think about the fables used to sell the war. Well, that's a moot point.
At this stage in the game the lies about WMD and Al-Qaeda links to Saddam are irrelevant. What is relevant is that we are in this war for the long haul. Unless of course a miracle happens that creates a situation that allows us to pick a Democratic nominee to face John McCain and win back the White House -- that is stated under the assumption that Senator Clinton or Senator Obama will make good on their promise to end the war.
Please pardon my skepticism -- but it isn't like we haven't been lied to before by our elected officials who promised us a way out of this mess.
Anyway ....
The war in Iraq is over. Despite the fact that we are still fighting, we have yet to define victory, the ultimate outcome is uncertain, and there is no end in sight -- it is over. The only remaining questions are: How many more of our brave troops will have to die? How many more billions will be spent? Both questions are unanswerable but the figures are surely tremendous.
When the occupation is looked at through that prism, it becomes impossible to see that we are in fact embroiled in the middle of a civil war, foolishly backing one side against the others, hoping through body counts and endlessly re-killing "top terrorist leaders" that we will somehow manage to get a grip on the country, never recognizing that the days are long gone when this technique enabled the East India Company plus the British redcoats to take over India and control Burma.