The human race is challenged more than ever before to demonstrate our mastery – not over nature but of ourselves.
— Rachel Carson, author of Silent Spring
Today marks the end of Winter, and seven years since the U.S. invaded Iraq for excuses based on lies and greed.
Rather than pouring our economic well-being and the precious lives of our men and women in uniform into wars that only further entrench us in waste, fraud and unholy alliances, we could have been retooling our energy systems so that oil production is not front and center of our foreign policy.
As we cross this year’s threshold of Winter into Spring, let us dedicate ourselves to ensuring that this magical time will no longer be an anniversary of death and tragic loss. May we pledge that each of us, one by one, will begin making bold, brave, positive choices that will lead to the end of our massive, deadly addiction to fossil fuels. Let us turn away from this road we all know leads to a Spring silent as the grave.
American Military Deaths in Iraq
Since war began, as of yesterday:
Total: 4385 Combat: 3481
Since “Mission Accomplished” (5/1/03)
4246 3374
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03):
3922 3176
Since Handover (6/29/04):
3526 2849
Since Obama Inauguration (1/20/09):
157 77
Americans Wounded:
Official – 31,716 Unofficial estimates: Over 100,000
Other
Coalition Troops – Iraq 318
US Military Deaths – Afghanistan 1,022
Other Military Deaths – Afghanistan 667
Contractor Employee Deaths – Iraq 1,457
Journalists – Iraq 338
Academics Killed – Iraq 437
Iraqi civilian death toll directly related to war violence: between 95,680 and 104,382. This is based on documented reporting. The actual number is certainly much higher.
In addition, we might want to consider that secret internal memos have revealed that there may be as many as 18 U.S. war veteran suicides a day, with a deliberate cover-up to prevent the American public being aware of this massive silent tragedy.
(Sources: Antiwar.com, iCasualties.org and IraqBodyCount.org)
not easy to read, but necessary, if we are to be responsible to our lives and our values.
thank you Beth, for speaking the truth in love. I love the idea that the Equinox can be a doorway to recommitment. I thank the Powers that be for this day of Balance– of dark and light, of reflection and action, of facing what is and choosing hope….
Thank you so much for sharing this with us. Catherine is right. It’s not an easy read, but it is so something we all need to see. Today, Ostara, is a new beginning. May it be so!
So mote it be!
Peace, blessings, and much love to you.
I wish this information was shown before every stupid reality show, talk show, and sitcom everyday. Perhaps then people would be shaken out of their denial and complacency and actually do something about it. It’s been 7 yrs in Iraq and almost 9 in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is now 1/2 as long as Nam, and Iraq is quickly getting there too. It really is time for our Politicians to end these wars, and the resources they eat up. With all the money we’ve spent on these wars we could have universal health care and alternative energy sources. The worst part is knowing the number of lives lost and the fact very few people seem to care about that. Thank you Beth Owl.
Blessings-
Athene
Thank you all for replying. It was no fun to share this, but I agree, this needs to be told and remembered. Not be just a quick blip on the news, or (worse) doctored to look like a success, for a public that would rather not know.