I understand why, even as this sucking chest wound of an occupation enters its sixth year, there have been relatively few diaries here dealing with it. It's a drag to contemplate, and it's hard to figure out what to do about it. It's easier to write about the Democratic primary campaign and the dangers of McCain. It's easier to assume that Clinton or Obama will move to pull the troops out in a year or so.
Nonetheless, I ask that you give me about four minutes to watch a short video from Baghdad, just produced by The Guardian and ITV News.
Sucks, doesn't it?
Our President, our government, our military created this awful wasteland. They are enabling it, even as you read, pumping money and weapons to the perpetrators of these massacres.
And you know what?
It is not enough to be appalled or to denounce Bush. The grieving families in that Baghdad park-turned-cemetery do not need our sympathy or our solace. They need us to act to end this unjust and unjustifiable occupation.
Perhaps you took part in one of the demonstrations yesterday marking the 5th anniversary of the invasion. Good. Please write a diary about it. Perhaps you called your Congresscritter to ask her or him to sign on to the plan introduced yesterday by Darcy Burner and other progressive candidates. Good. Please write a diary about what the response was.
And if you haven't done anything to stop the war this week, please think about taking some action today. Or tomorrow, Iraq Moratorium Day #7.
It really is up to us. Do something, please!