We were very moved and my husband asked me to make copies for family and friends.
As of Sept. 5, there are 4,154 casualties of the war since our loss of over 5,000 innocents at the twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001. Those numbers include the casualties of our military in Iraq. Before the siege, I too felt that we needed to back up and regroup. Everyone is war-weary. None more than those who have been fighting it. No one wants peace as much as someone who has been through war.
But our military wants to win. No military death should be in vain. This I know for an absolute fact – the war now is not like Vietnam. The students now are not being drafted or made to go to war. Our military is volunteer. Families of service personnel have so much more communication and benefits now and I could list on and on as I know veterans and service personnel today can also do.
These protesters of the war and those who are so against our government’s involvement in Iraq need to get their priorities straight. I believe they might want to do well, but their zeal is misdirected. Compare the 4,154 to the numbers to follow.
Since 2001 to 2006, the death toll from alcohol totaled more than 256,337 drunk drivers. (That doesn’t even include those who died from tobacco in the year alone — 435,000. The deaths from poor diet and physical inactivity were 400,000 in 2000 and higher now. Deaths from sexual behavior (20,000) are higher now. Go to the website http://www.drugwarfacts.org/causes.htm and read for yourself. Then consider the deaths from cancer, suicide, and from the many causes that medical researchers work so hard to prevent and cure. It is so much bigger than our war on terror.
Americans face giants daily. The world sees this and it is vitally important that Americans unite instead of following the division set forth by current Congress members and protestors and the liberal media.
Just sitting down at a table and talking about issues won’t fix the world’s problems. Life doesn’t work like college professors would like to portray it. It isn’t all about communication. It takes decisive action and a spiritual strength born of certainty of purpose.
I personally don’t visualize the people of Iraq as “sewage,” as does Chris Young (letters, Aug. 28). Nor do I profile any race of people, labeling them “typical,” since all human life is unique and according to the word of God, all is of great worth.
America’s energy crisis goes far beyond a lack of fossil fuel. The American people are wasting so much of their own energy on foolish, destructive behavior while blaming every source other than themselves for their misery. Change is inevitable – it happens daily despite us. The direction for changes in our lives is contingent on our own daily behavior.
Sincerely,
JoAnne P. White
Danielsville
