Rev. Danny Fisher

At the time this post was being written, the Department of Defense had confirmed 3,448 U.S. military deaths in the current Iraq war (with another seven pending). In addition, as of this evening, a minumum of 64,405 reported civilian deaths have occured as a direct result of “the U.S.-led military intervention of Iraq.” (It’s very likely, however, that the actual number of civilian deaths is significantly higher than what has been reported.)

The reasons for waging this war–specious at best in 2003–have been shown to be completely unfounded. There are no weapons of mass destruction. Iraq had nothing to do with September 11, 2001. Furthermore, despite the absolutely ridiculous attempts of people like John McCain to suggest otherwise, things have clearly not “gotten better” since 2003.

As if serving on the front lines of an unwarranted and deservedly unpopular war was not difficult enough, our young soldiers and sailors have had to put up with extended tours, cuts in their pay, and some pretty bleak health care prospects.

Musing on our military servicemen and servicewomen in his film Fahrenheit 9/11, Michael Moore said:

They serve so that we don’t have to. They offer to give up their lives so that we can be free. It is remarkable–their gift to us. And all they ask for in return is that we never send them into harm’s way unless it is absolutely necessary.

As we observe Memorial Day today, we do well, I think, to use our freedom and demand that our government honor this contract. You can start here.

I dedicate the merit of my practice to those who mourn personal losses today, and I pray for a day when humanity will no longer be engaged in war.

“In times of war
Give rise in yourself to the mind of compassion,
Helping living beings
Abandon the will to fight.”
- the Kutadanta Sutta