... and counting

For those looking for our usual brand of goofy antics, I apologize in advance. I promise to tone down the serious shit soon. But "Nightline" is going to dedicate use its Memorial Day show to read the name of each U.S. serviceman and woman killed in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past year.

Of course, the reason I feel compelled to write about this is that I want to know why every time someone proposes memorializing the ever-increasing number of U.S. servicemen and women who are dying in Iraq, it's immediately denounced as political. I understand that the right wing feels the need to push back against anything that makes their excellent Iraqi adventure look bad (Note: Facts are biased) but eventually, you're not going to be able to change the subject every time it comes up. And until then, it just looks petty to object to honoring someone who was willing to sacrifice something you were not.

Maybe this just pisses me off because the last war that turned into a morass like this is still somewhat of a touchy subject in our family. My father's cousin was killed in Vietnam, as did his best friend from high school. It's been well over 30 years, and it still hurts. He probably will all his life. And I can't imagine it's going to be much different for people who were close with the 1,800 and counting Americans who are no longer with us.

And yet, all we keep hearing is that things are going fine and that daring to remember the sacrifice people have made is somehow political and cynical. Bullshit. Being aware of the cost is an excellent way to make sure that we take a bit more care the next time we have a choice to go to war.

Note: Credit to the Sinclair Broadcast Group. Last year, the company yanked Nightline from its ABC affiliates when the show decided to read the names. This year, the company (a staunch Republican supporter) will air the show. Of course, they use the fig leaf that it's OK this year because it's Memorial Day. Whatever gets them through the night, I guess.