As of July 19, the Department of Defense had confirmed 3,622 American deaths. The last 3 months have been the deadliest of any other 3 month period for Americans since the war/occupation has begun. In addition, there have been over 25,000 American casualties. These are soldiers that have been injured or maimed. Many have lost limbs or have other serious injuries that will affect them the rest of their lives. These numbers are but the tip of the iceberg. When major depression, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are taken into account the casualty numbers grow much larger. According to the New England Journal of Medicine(NEJM), it is estimated that 19% of Marines and 17% of Army soldiers who have served in Iraq report these symptoms. The NEJM went on to point out that soldiers tend to under-report these types of symptoms. What effect is this war having on our men and women? What effect is it having on their wives and husbands? On their kids and parents?
For what reason are our young men and women dying? Terrorism? Last year, in a report to the Iraq Study Group, CIA Director Michael Hayden listed al-Qaeda as the #5 (least) reason for violence in Iraq. All stated reasons for America to attack Iraq in the first place have been shown to be shams. There were no Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). There was no nuclear weapons program. And, prior to the U.S. invading Iraq, there was no link between al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein.
Earlier this week, a National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) was released that stated that al-Qaeda is reconstituting itself along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. This is happening because our assets have been taken out of Afghanistan and put into Iraq. We have taken our eyes off the ball. Anybody who has ever played any kind of sport will tell you that is a recipe for disaster. We, however, are not playing games. This is a matter of life and death. Our fine young men and women's lives are on the line. They deserve for us to get it right.
By no means am I alone in this call to end the war. The list of former generals include Gen. Zinni, Shinseki, Odom, Newbold,...This list goes on. Yes, many Democrats are calling for an end to this war, but there are also many Republicans who are calling for an end to this war. This list includes Senators Lugar(R-IN), Voinovich (R-OH) and Domenici (R-NM). Honest people, people of courage admit when a mistake has been made. Then, they move to rectify that mistake. The first step to rectify this horrible situation is to end this war.
That is the first step. From there we must move on multiple fronts to heal and to secure this nation. We must first ensure that all of men and women who have served in Iraq get the absolute best in physical AND mental health care. Next, we must ensure that their families are getting the support that they need. This is the least that we can do given the tremendous sacrifices that they have given for this country.
Going further, we must pursue the terrorists through our intelligence organizations and with police work. Our greatest successes at fighting terrorism, the foiled plots at Fort Dix and JFK Airport are two recent examples, have come not with fighting a war with our Army but with combined intelligence and police work. Finally, we must begin rebuilding our diplomatic relations with our allies and other peace-seeking nations throughout the world.
So, please, join the effort to support our troops by bringing them home now. Call our Congressman and tell him to End this War now.
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