"I've opposed this war in Iraq since before day one," said a 50-year-old lady who often joins the vigil. "I also think the war in Afghanistan is a mistake. They should listen to the people of Afghanistan and leave."
This was how last night's vigil began. It was a shortened vigil because the winds were severe. They blew from the northwest with gusts up to 40 miles per hour, so strong they often slammed me back a step or two and it was all I could do to hang on to the sign.
Dust particles blew in my face causing my eyes to squint and at times to tear. Because of these strong winds, I thanked this kind woman for joining me but out of concern for her well-being I let her know I appreciated her support but it would be better if she didn't stay, though she would still be here in spirit.
Meanwhile in Iraq yesterday, a car bomb exploded, shredding an Iraqi police convoy in the northern city of Kirkuk, killing at least 11 and injuring 20 others.
While today on an Iraqi military base in Anbar province, a suicide bomber in an Iraqi army uniform, a killer with no regard for his own life or the lives of others triggered a vest filled with explosives. It caused an ear shattering blast and a hellfire of orange flames with a gray mushroom cloud of smoke.
It blew some people to bits and others were left without arms and legs. In all 16 people were killed and about 50 others were seriously injured.
Also today, the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine published "The Weapons That Kill Civilians - Deaths of Children and Noncombatants in Iraq, 2003 - 2008." http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/360/16/1585
It is a fascinating study including such observations as [U.S. led] air strikes in Iraq have killed mostly women and children. 46% of the dead were women and 39% were children. This study was conducted by Iraq Body Count of 60,481 civilians killed during the 1st five years of the Iraq war. It offers wide ranging measurements of the deaths resulting from the U.S. invasion and occupation
These statistics have horrific implications for other wars the U.S. is fighting as well. The Afghani and Pakistani governments have complained loudly about civilian casualties from U.S. led air strikes, thus far with little response.
In typing these horror stories which happen daily, I can hardly stand it as my heart breaks. Is there no end in sight? What does a 4-year-old do without her parents? Who will love her and feed her in the next few hours? How will parents exist when their children are obliterated in a mortar strike?
As the vigil ended, a 51-year-old Englishman braving the elements to walk his dog hurriedly remarked, "They [the U.S. military] should concentrate on Afghanistan and cut back on Iraq. But they have to stay in Iraq or the Iranians will come and take control." In other words, endless war.
The U.S. continues down a very dark path to disaster in wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as drug wars in Mexico, Columbia and Brazil. Hopefully, America will finally see the light and end these wars as it offers brotherhood and a helping hand instead of causing more death and destruction in what has become its race to moral and fiscal bankruptcy.
You could make a real difference. Please raise your voice in compassion for those who have paid or who will pay such a severe price in these wars. Many of them cry out, yet they are invisible and forgotten by most Americans, which is a disgrace to anyone who seeks peace and spiritual growth.
Dick
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