tragedy of respectable existence
undoubtedly the most honest news about the Iraq war comes straight from the mouth of the soldiers fighting it. i devour every post from the indomitable nate showman, a cinci younglife alum and all-around badass - he is authentic, brave, and a phenominal writer, and is stationed over there with a pair of boots and a gun to keep us schmoes safe.. this post from today, in particular, stopped my entire day and had me sad and smiling at the same time, and is well worth a look from every free man and woman.
the quote of the year:
When war was merely a fantasy of prose and film, I was philosophical and idealistic; it is now a sensation of sight, smell, and touch, and the idealism and philosophy has been replaced by cold facts, and they are these: (1) Republicans and Democrats can go to hell. (2) Concern for the welfare of innocent Iraqis is increasingly frustrated by our perception that they will risk very little to secure their own future. (3) The warrior’s axiom that “you fight for the man next to you” should be biblical, for no words ever rung truer. If I lose not one more man to this war during the duration of our duty, that will be an acceptable outcome; I will take all steps in my power to secure this end.
fyi, your link is broken
amazing....that is the quote of the year.
What powerful words. I won't be able to sleep tonight. I feel like I need to be doing more.
I do ponder the outcome of this seemingly meaningless occupation of Iraq. Especially when I hear, for the first time, from a soldier, what is really going on over there.
Semper Fi
Dad