How Much Blood and Treasure?

General David Patraeus, asked by Rep. Susan Collins in a Senate hearing recently what the appropriate U.S. response would be if the Iraqi government has not made significant progress within a year, he refused to prognosticate but did say that there would have to be consideration given to how much “blood and treasure” we could continue to commit to that situation.

Before we could possibly make that decision, we would have to know exactly what the goals are in that country and whether or not we collectively agreed that those goals were worth additional blood and treasure.

That is where those of us who have opposed this war from the time it was first discussed part ways with those who support it because they believe that America can do no wrong. The myth of “America the Beneficent” has been the pulse of BushCo’s ability to convince the nation that they should be supportive of this war. They accomplished it, though, by withholding their true goals from the American people while waving the flags of patriotism as though this we were going off to fight World War II.

From my perspective we have already expended far more blood and treasure than was called for by this so-called war on terror. Fighting terrorism takes quiet boots on the ground not the huge expense in blood and treasure of shock and awe bombing a people that neither attacked us nor had any intention of doing so. It takes recognition of the issues that give rise to the hatred that motivates suicide bombers and other terrorists and the resolve to address them. It takes international cooperation based, not on the desire to corner the market on scarce resources or conquer new territories, but the desire to honor the humanity in everyman and to build a future based on the well being of all of us – not just Americans and Brits.

How much more blood and treasure for this war? None.

How much more treasure for healing the wounds of this war and of terrorist activity as well? A great deal. Let’s get on with it.


Be the change you wish to see in the world. -- M. K. Gandhi

Individually we have little voice. Collectively we cannot be ignored.
But in silence we surrender our power. Yours in Peace -- BR

The reason for going was to keep the crude flowing and raise a false flag abroad. – from a poem by Jack Evans titled 3500 Souls - http://www.myspace.com/paralegal_eagle