Sacrifice Only When Necessary (BBA III)
In a Memorial-Day editorial, "Memorial Day/Praise bravery, seek forgiveness" (Minneapolis StarTribune, 30 May 2005), the editors of that paper share their thoughts about the implications of the "Downing Street Memo":
Nothing young Americans can do in life is more honorable than offering themselves for the defense of their nation. It requires great selflessness and sacrifice, and quite possibly the forfeiture of life itself. On Memorial Day 2005, we gather to remember all those who gave us that ultimate gift. Because they are so fresh in our minds, those who have died in Iraq make a special claim on our thoughts and our prayers.
In exchange for our uniformed young people's willingness to offer the gift of their lives, civilian Americans owe them something important: It is our duty to ensure that they never are called to make that sacrifice unless it is truly necessary for the security of the country. In the case of Iraq, the American public has failed them; we did not prevent the Bush administration from spending their blood in an unnecessary war based on contrived concerns about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. President Bush and those around him lied, and the rest of us let them. Harsh? Yes. True? Also yes. Perhaps it happened because Americans, understandably, don't expect untruths from those in power. But that works better as an explanation than as an excuse.
[This continues my series of posts concerning the pre-Iraq-war actions of the US administration, and increasing awareness of those activities, as part of the The Big Brass Alliance and it's support of AfterDowningStreet.org. For more information from me, see my first posting on The Downing Street Memo: "Worth Remembering"]
on Thursday, 2 June 2005 at 00.31
Permalink
Big Brass Blogswarm | Wed-Thur
While our first few days have been a success, the Big Brass Blogswarm is not over. It is important that we continue to post on the Downing Street memo.
on Saturday, 4 June 2005 at 15.09
Permalink
[…] ssed on Politics (1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5)Rat BoyThe Disenchanted Forest (more)Bearcastle Blog (more)The Green LanternThe HeretikPoverty BarnPaperwightSpoof NewsBrilliant at BreakfastNewswriter Why Are We […]