"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?'"-Eve Merriam

Another month of a senseless war with no end in sight, leading to the loss of more American lives. Certain news agencies have decided to talk about the casualties, but only in the context that May was lowest casualty rate of the war. Only 35 American troops died in May (21 in Iraq and 15 in Afghanistan)!! Is this reason to celebrate? Even Bill O'Reilly took a break from the Great American Culture Quiz and his weekly blathering with Dennis Miller to acknowledge that there is in fact a war going on in which Americans are dying. Of course, he did not talk about the Americans who sacrificed their lives, he talked about how Brian Williams had failed to to talk about the low casualty rate for the month of May on the NBC Nightly News. Nice work by Mr. O'Reilly, be sure do visit his website and get dad a No Spin hat for Father's Day. For those of us who take a vested interest in the loss of any American life on foreign soil. Here is the continuing list of Americans who served and died that I have chronicled here:

1. Spc. Jeffrey F. Nichols, 21, Granite Shoals, Texas
2. Sgt. Glen E. Martinez, 31, Boulder, Colorado
3. Lance Cpl. James F. Kimple, 21, Carroll, Ohio
4. Cpl. Miguel A. Guzman, 21, Norwalk, California
5. Lance Cpl. Casey L. Casanova, 22, McComb, Mississippi
6. Pvt. Corey L. Hicks, 22, Glendale, Arizona,
7. Pfc. Aaron J. Ward, 19, San Jacinto, California
8. Spec. Alex D. Gonzalez, 21, Mission, Texas
9. Staff Sgt. Kevin C. Roberts, 25, Farmington, New Mexico
10. Spec. Jeremy R. Gullett, 22, Greenup, Kentucky
11. Pfc. Ara T. Deysie, 18, Parker, Arizona
12. Spec. Mary J. Jaenichen, 20, Temecula, California
13. Spec. Joseph A. Ford, 23, Knox, Indiana
14. Cpl. Jessica A. Ellis, 24, Bend, Oregon
15. Pvt. Matthew W. Brown, 20, Zelienople, Pennsylvania
16. Staff Sgt. Victor M. Cota, 33, Tucson, Arizona
17. Sgt. John K. Daggett, 21, Phoenix, Arizona
18. Pfc. Howard A. Jones, Jr., 35, Chicago, Illinois
19. Pvt. Branden P. Haunert, 21, Cincinnati, Ohio
20. Master Sgt. Davy N. Weaver, 39, Barnesville, Georgia
21. Cpl. William J. L. Cooper, 22, Eupora, Mississippi
22. Lt. Jeffrey A. Ammon, 37, Orem, Utah
23. 1st Lt. Jeffrey F. Deprimo, 35, Pittston, Pennsylvania
24. Lt. Col. Joseph A. Moore, 54, Boise, Idaho
25. Pfc. Kyle P. Norris, 22, Zanesville, Ohio
26. Sgt. 1st Class Jason F. Dene, 37, Castleton, Vermont
27. Spec. David L. Leimbach, 38, Taylors, South Carolina
28. Sgt. Frank J. Gasper, 25, Merced, California
29. Sgt. Blake W. Evans, 24, Rockford, Illinois
30. Spec. Justin L. Buxbaum, 23, South Portland, Maine
31. Spec. Christopher Gathercole, 21, Santa Rosa, California
32. Sgt. 1st Class David Nunez, 27, Los Angeles, California
33. Cpl. Christian S. Cotner, 20, Waterbury, Connecticut
34. Pvt. Andrew J. Shields, 19, Battleground, Washington
35. Spec. James M. Finley, 21, Lebanon, Missouri

Since 2001, 4,582 Americans have died in Afghanistan and Iraq. Spec. Justin R. Mixon, 22, from Bogalusa, Louisiana died in an IED attack in Baghdad on June 1, thus beginning another month where Americans will die in a war that lacks purpose.

"The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem, it is generally employed only by small children and large nations."-David Friedman

Since posting the names of 19 more Americans who have perished in this country's Middle Eastern misadventures last Tuesday, 13 more have been confirmed dead since. This brings the total of Americans to have died in the month of April to 56 (reported earlier as 47), the most since 74 died last September. The last week in the media has been choke-full-of Indiana and North Carolina. Who will win these uber-important primaries in a race that is essentially over (see here)? The media has already dubbed today's new make-or-break contests as Super Tuesday (again?). Jeremiah Wright is like Senator Clinton, no matter how bad we want her to go away, she won't. There are approximately 515 polls that all say something different. Lost in the primary shuffle has been the service of the following individuals:

1. Staff Sgt. Shawn J. Whitehead of Commerce, Georgia was 24 when he encountered a makeshift bomb in Iskandariyah on April 24.
2. Pfc. William T. Dix of Culver City, California was 32 when he died in a non-combat related incident in Kuwait on April 27.
3. Sgt. Mark A. Stone of Buchanan Darn, Texas, 22, died when his unit's forward operating base in Baghdad was attacked on April 28.
4. Pfc. Adam L. Marion of Mount Airy, North Carolina, 26, died when his unit's forward operating base in Baghdad was attacked on April 28.
5. Sgt. Marcus C. Mathes of Zephyrhills, Florida, 26, died when his unit's forward operating base in Baghdad was attacked on April 28.
6. Spec. David P. McCormick of Fresno, Texas, 26, died when his unit's forward operating base in Baghdad was attacked on April 28.
7. Staff Sgt. Bryan F. Bolander of Bakersfield, California, was 26 when he died in an IED attack in Baghdad on April 29.
8. Staff Sgt. Clay A. Craig of Mesquite, Texas, was 22 when he died in combat operations in Baghdad April 29.
9. Sgt. 1st Class David L. McDowell of Ramona, California, 30, died by small arms fire when his unit was attacked in Bastion, Afghanistan on April 29.
10. Spec. Ronald J. Tucker of Fountain, Colorado was 21 when he died in an IED attack in Baghdad on April 30.
11. Cpt. Andrew R. Pearson of Billings, Montana was 32 when he died in an IED attack in Baghdad on April 30.
12. Staff Sgt. Chad A. Caldwell of Spokane, Washington was 24 when he died in an IED attack in Baghdad on April 30.
13. Sgt. 1st Class Lawrence D. Ezell of Portland, Texas, 30, died in combat operations in Baghdad on April 30.

To date, 4,057 Americans have died in Iraq and another 489 in Afghanistan. That is 4,546 individuals who have died for what exactly?

Mission Accomplished??

It was five years ago today that President Bush exclaimed that the mission had been accomplished in Iraq aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. According to the White House website, which houses all of the president's addresses and their related press releases, "President Bush Announces Major Combat Operations in Iraq Have Ended" (see here). The White House addressed this paradox yesterday with White House Press Secretary Dana Perino inanely uttering:

"President Bush is well aware that the banner should have been much more specific and said 'mission accomplished' for these sailors who are on this ship on their mission. And we have certainly paid a price for not being more specific on that banner. And I recognize that the media is going to play this up again tomorrow, as they do every single year."

Is that English because I do not understand. All signs seem to indicate that combat operations are still ongoing (see my chronicle of this fact here) and have been for five years. The number of U.S. troops that died in Iraq in the month of April was 47, the highest casualty rate in seven months. So much for decreased violence. I will argue that Dana Perino was right in saying that "we have certainly paid a price for not being more specific on that banner," but not for the same reason as the press secretary. She is of course talking about the political fallout related to the placing of that utterly moronic sign on a U.S. aircraft carrier while U.S. troops were still fighting and dying in two Middle Eastern countries (Pfc. Jesse A. Givens was killed in Iraq on the same day the president was taking a joyride in an S-3 in front of the cameras). We the people have lost 4,308 of our fellows citizens since this PR stunt. Imagine how many it might be if combat operations had not come to an end.

"In war, there are no unwounded soldiers."-José Narosky

Since April 9, the news media's continual obsession with all things Clinton and Obama has not waned. The all-important Pennsylvania primary, which is part of the great year long distraction that is the 2008 presidential campaign, finally took place last week. What did it settle? Nothing, Senator Clinton gained a mere 10 delegates. The developments in the Jeremiah Wright saga are captivating the minds of everyone. So much so, that we cannot possibly talk about anything or anybody else. Also, since April 9, 17 Americans have died in the only story, if it were a story, that is more frustrating than the presidential election, the Iraq War. Another bit of news that might shock those who think that Afghanistan is a desert oasis of democracy, two Americans have died in that war during this same period. To date, 4,528 Americans have perished in these wars with no objective and no end in sight. If the media cannot spare a mere moment of the latest thing Jeremiah Wright said to talk about those that die in this senseless war, I will continue to do it here:

1. Spec. William E. Allmon of Ardmore, Oklahoma was 25 years old when he died in an IED attack in Baghdad on April 12.
2. Lance Cpl. Dean D. Opicka of Waukesha, Wisconsin was 29 years old when he was killed in combat in Anbar province on April 14.
3. Cpl. Richard J. Nelson of Racine, Wisconsin was 23 years old when he was killed in combat in Anbar province on April 14.
4. Sgt. Joseph A. Richard, III of Lafayette, Louisiana was 27 years old when he died in an IED attack in Baghdad on April 14.
5. Spec. Arturo Huerta-Cruz of Clearwater, Florida was 23 years old when he died in an IED attack in Tuz on April 14.
6. Cpl. Kyle W. Wilks of Rogers, Arkansas was 24 years old when he died in combat operations in Kandahar province, Afghanistan on April 15.
7. 1st Sgt. Luke J. Mercardante of Athens, Georgia was 35 years old when he died in combat operations in Kandahar province, Afghanistan on April 15.
8. Staff Sgt. Jason L. Brown of Mangolia, Texas was 29 years old when he died after his unit was attacked in Sama Village on April 17.
9. Spec. Benjamin K. Brosh of Colorado Springs, Colorado was 22 years old when he died on April 18 from wounds suffered in an IED attack in Paliwoda.
10. Spec. Lance O. Eaks of Apex, North Carolina was 25 years old when he died in an IED attack in Baghdad on April 18.
11. Petty Officer 1st Class Cherie L. Morton of Bakersfield, California was 40 years old when she died in Iraq on April 20. The cause of her death is currently under investigation.
12. Sgt. Adam J. Kohlhaas of Perryville, Missouri was 26 years old when he died in an IED attack in Bayji on April 21.
13. Spec. Steven J. Christofferson of Cudahy, Wisconsin was 20 years old he died in an IED attack in Bayji on April 21.
14. 1st Lt. Matthew R. Vandergrift of Littleton, Colorado was 28 years old when he died in combat operations in Basra on April 21.
15. Airman Apprentice Adrian Compos of El Paso, Texas was 22 years old when he was found dead in Dubai due to a non-combat related incident on APril 21.
16. Cpl. Jonathan T. Yale of Burkeville, Virginia was 21 years old when he died in combat operation in Anbar province on April 22.
17. Lance Cpl. Jordan C. Haerter of Sag Harbor, New York was only 19 years old when he died in combat operations in Anbar province on April 22.
18. Pvt. Ronald R. Harrison of Morris Plains, New Jersey was 25 years old when he died of a non-combat related injury on April 22.
19. Pfc. John T. Bishop of Gaylord, Michigan was 22 years old when he died in a vehicle incident in Golden Hills on April 23.
    

"Mankind must put an end to war, or war will put an end to mankind."-John F. Kennedy

Given what the media chooses to cover and not cover, one might believe the talking points that all is well in the Iraq War. With Barack Obama Controversy Contrived by the Media #24, What in the World Did Jeremiah Wright Say Part XX, Where in the World Is John McCain Version 7.5, or When Clinton Attacks (Last Updated April 2008), it is not hard to understand why an actual war, with actual bullets and bombs, where actual people die, not just reputations, is relegated to the back burner. The presidential campaign has devolved into disreputable verbal warfare with John McCain and Hillary Clinton allying in an attempt take out the superpower, Barack Obama (see here). It has become so annoying that I am no longer able to formulate cogent thoughts to write about on the campaign. A story out of Iraq this morning tells us that 52 Iraqis died in two car bomb attacks (read here). I know what you are thinking, they are Iraqi, who cares? But where Iraqis are dying is the same place where Americans are dying. And what about those Americans that are dying? Turn on Countdown, the O'Reilly Factor, Hannity & Colmes, Hardball, listen to Rush Limbaugh, read the Weekly Standard, or go to nationalreview.com, who is talking about these Americans? The left uses the war as a means to demonize the Bush administration and the right looks the other way and espouses the virtues of the war and how much fun it is to live in Iraq these days. Soldiers do not choose where they want to go, they merely do what they are told.

Over the last seven days, seven Americans have died in Iraq, bringing the total 4,507. Maj. Mark E. Rosenburg, 32 years old from Miami Lakes, Florida, died in an IED attack in Baghdad on April 8. Staff Sgt. Jeffrey L. Hartley, 25 from Hempstead, Texas, died in an IED attack in Kharguliah on April 8. Jacob J. Fairbanks, 22 from St. Paul, Minnesota, died from injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident in Baghdad on April 9. Sgt. Jesse A. Ault, 28 from Dublin, Virginia, was killed in an IED attack in Tunnis on April 9. Sgt. Shaun P. Tousha, 30 from Hull, Texas, died on April 9 from injuries suffered in an IED attack in Baghdad. Tech Sgt. Anthony L. Capra, 31 from Hanford, California, died in an IED attack in an undisclosed location on April 9. And Spec. Jeremiah C. Hughes, 26 from Jacksonville, Florida, died from injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident in Abu Gharab. I will continue to use this space to humanize the war by making the sacrifices of those who have died for no good reason known.

My Patience Has Run Out

General Petraues made a return trip to Capitol Hill today to update Congress and the American people about the never-ending saga that is the Iraq War. In anticipation of the general's testimony, every news outlet characterized what we were to hear from the top American military commander the same way, apparently he was going to urge patience with regard to the Iraq War. The patience of we the people has been sought since the days after 9/11. In his radio address four days after the attacks of September 11, the president claimed, "[t]he message is for everybody who wears the uniform: get ready. The United States will do what it takes to win this war. And I ask patience of the American people." In his address to the nation on October 7, 2001 announcing the beginning of combat operations in Afghanistan, the president claimed that "[i]n the months ahead, our patience will be one of our strengths -- patience with the long waits that will result from tighter security; patience and understanding that it will take time to achieve our goals; patience in all the sacrifices that may come." When asked in a June 2003 press conference about the lack of findings with regard to Saddam Hussein's imaginary WMD arsenal, then White Press Secretary, Ari Fleischer, said "I think what it suggests is the need for patience." In his September 6, 2006 radio address, the president continued to ask for patience, claiming, "[t]he path to victory will be uphill and uneven, and it will require more patience and sacrifice from our Nation. " A White House Fact Sheet released in association with the fourth anniversary of the Iraq War in March 2007, entitled "Four Years Later: New Strategy Requires Patience and Determination," claims that "achieving our goals will require patience and determination." What are our goals?

If anyone was hoping that General Petraeus would be able to help us figure this out through his testimony today, I am sorry to report, he did not. His call for a 45-day "period of consolidation and evaluation" where troop withdrawals are suspended with no timetable for their renewal is a very unwelcome development in this nonsensical war. It would appear that "stay the course" will be the Bush policy for the remainder of his presidency. To date, 4,514 Americans have died in the president's War on Terror. And given the testimony of his top general, it appears that the American commitment to Iraq will not end any time soon.

Unfortunately, those that serve and die for a lost cause are not given their due by the media. Maybe if there wasn't a presidential campaign to cover, the media could take 15 seconds and mention that Sgt. Terrell W. Gilmore from Baton Rouge died in an IED attack in Baghdad or that Maj. William G. Hall from Seattle died while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province on March 30. Maybe if the coverage of every person Senator Obama knew while living in Chicago were not so important, Fox News would take time to remind people of the service of Spc. Durrell Bennet and Pfc. Patrick J. Miller, 22 and 23 years old respectively and both from New Port Richey, Florida, who died from wounds suffered in a March 29 IED attack in Baghdad. Maybe if MSNBC could take a break from over-analyzing and rehashing every mistake made by the Bush administration, they might find time to do a short segment on Sgt. Jevon K. Jordan of Norfolk, Virginia, who died on March 29 from wounds suffered in an IED attack in Abu Jassim. If only the cable news king himself, Bill O'Reilly, could squeeze in a brief report on Spc. Joshua A. Molina from Houston in-between the latest all-important body language segment and "Miller Time." Spc. Molina was 20 years old when he was struck down by an IED in Baghdad on March 27. But those of you who watch Mr. O'Reilly know that the body language of politicians and celebrities, as well as the inane witticisms of a comedian turned political commentator are very important to maintaining the number one rated cable news show. The list continues to grow. If I had more time I could mention the service of Pvt. George Delgado, Staff Sgt. Christopher M. Hake, Pfc. Andrew J. Habseiger, Spc. Jose A. Rubio Hernandez, Sgt. Thomas C. Ray II, Spc. David S. Stelmat, and Sgt. David B. Williams, all of whom have died in Iraq since March 22. All of those who claim that it is better in Iraq view the world only in the reds and blues of the political spectrum. I will counter such claims by saying that any day where a single member of the U.S. military dies trying to Americanize a country in the center of the Middle East does not constitute better. The fact remains that since February, the violence has increased, but thus is the nature of asymmetrical warfare. President Bush and General Petraeus might seek my patience when it comes to the Iraq War and the forgotten thousands who still fight and die in Afghanistan, but my patience ran out long ago...

*Credit to Chris-Floyd for the photo.

Five Years and 3,990 American Lives Later...

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the American journey into the abyss that is Iraq. I can vividly remember watching Dan Rather late into the night five years ago after the United States launched a surprise attack utilizing bunker buster bombs on Dora Farm, where it was thought Saddam Hussein was visiting his children. He wasn't and American forces moved in the very next day to depose the dictator, who supposedly possessed stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction and supported al-Qaeda. Remember the line that news agency drew around the center of Baghdad, which when crossed, Saddam Hussein would unleash an arsenal of biological and chemical on the rapdily advancing American forces. This never happened, as we have since found out, there were no weapons. Remember the staged scene of the Saddam Hussein statue being toppled in Baghdad by overjoyed Iraqis. Remember "Mission Accomplished" and the president in that orange jumpsuit aboard the U.S.S Abraham Lincoln on May 1, 2003, a mere 41 days after the bombs were dropped on Dora Farm. The president's speech that day started with:

"Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country."

In hindsight this seems confusing, as to date, 3,990 Americans have died in Iraq, of which 3,851 have died since the president's victory speech. This was the president's "Dewey Defeats Truman" moment. Like the Chicago Tribune on November 3, 1948, President Bush did not wait to see how things played out before declaring victory. What has ensued since the president declared victory can be best described as chaotic. The United States was not welcomed as liberators and civil war quickly broke out. The Rumsfeld Defense Department possessed no plans for a post-invasion Iraq, thus military commanders had no guidance on how to proceed. Reports of American abuse of Iraqi prisoners and civilians emerged when Seymour Hirsch published photographs from Abu Ghraib in the New Yorker in April 2004. While these incidents should be viewed as exception to how Americans conduct themselves in a war zone, it is still significant, as it undermines American creditbility in a part of the world that is not as enamored with America as we are. If George Bush's approval rating is only 30% here, imagine what it must be in Iran, Syria, and Jordan. The Iraq War lacks the great battles like wars past that are glorified on the History Channel. There is no Veracruz, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, Somme, Verdun, Ardennes Forrest, or Normandy in Iraq. It is a more static war zone where improvised explosive devices dominate the day. In January of last year the president launched his "surge strategy," which is complex military code for escalation. While this is certainly a better strategy, it has come too late. A recent uptick in violence makes this point.

The lack of weapons notwithstanding, the way the Bush adminstration linked this American misadventure with the attacks of September 11, 2001 is the ultimate betrayal and is unforgivable. With Vice President Cheney leading the way, the administration embarked on a campaign of deception and misinformation that played to the fears that engrossed many Americans in the aftermath of those attacks. It was at this point five years ago today that the United States lost its way in its War on Terror. A war that was initially waged to find Ossama bin Laden. This war has created a safe haven for al-Qaeda in Iraq, not disturbed one that already existed. It has led to the death of nearly 4,000 American service personnel and there is no end in sight. This war needs to end...

"War does not determine who is right - only who is left."-Bertrand Russell

Does anyone remember that there are more than 150,000 American troops currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan? Are the daily movements and utterances of Senators Obama, Clinton, and McCain so important that those who report the news cannot afford to spend a passing moment to mention those who are fighting in this ridiculous war? To date, 4,272 men and women have died in Iraq and Afghanistan (those serving in Afghanistan, who are closer to Osama bin Laden than those in Iraq, should not be relegated to second-class status) and more than 29,000 have been wounded. Since Monday, nine U.S. soldiers have been killed and three more wounded in three separate attacks in Iraq. At least the violence is down, right? Wars are like most things in life, they ebb and flow over time but never go away. When this war is over, it will continue on in the psyche of those that served, whether through mental anguish or physical handicaps. The news agencies have decided that electioneering is what consumers want, thus the sacrifice of these tens of thousands of Americans is secondary. I consume a lot of what these entities dole out and cannot recall more than a passing reference to these attacks over the last four days. Not enough carnage for those on left? Afraid that a mention of these incidents will hurt the purported lily-white image of a post-"surge" Iraq for those on the right? It was not so long ago that right-wing commentators would deride those on the left for focusing on every attack and every casualty, claiming this reporting was an attempt to undermine the troops and American support for an already unpopular war. Has the left been scared off or is the coverage of the Obama-Clinton War of 2008 that much more important?

While I am vehemently opposed to the Iraq War and believe that the next president, whoever he or she might be, should take immediate steps upon being inaugurated to fix the problems the Bush administration will inevitably leave behind and pull all troops out of the Middle East, those troops, many of who did not ask or want to go to Iraq, deserve better from media among all parts of the ideological prism. They are more than merely pawns in a disreputable game of chess played by politicians in Washington who seem to possess the capacity to think of nothing more than their legacy or what their next gig might be. This war should not have taken place and the time has come to put an end to it. Let no more brave American men and women die in vain like their grandfathers and fathers did a generation earlier in another foolish war that went on far too long. It is the job of the news media to report the news and since when is someone dying for their country not newsworthy? A few weeks ago, my mother asked me, "What are they dying for?" I still can't answer her...

*Credit to Photo-Reports for the photo.