Memorial Day

It's been too long since I have posted here but that does not mean the brain has shut down. In fact it's been busy on other writing projects and I have learned that I can't finish all at the same time...my brain just is not like that...and so politics took a back seat to psychology.

What got my brain back to politics was a torrent of tears last night as I watched the Memorial Day concert from D.C. The story of the family whose son lost most of his brain got me and from that point to the end I sobbed.
When we lived in D.C., my son and I, along with friends, always went to the Memorial Day concert - ditto the 4th of July and Labor Day concerts. They were picnics on the lawn, kids climbing trees, music and good food.

We left D.C. in '96 and things have changed since then and last night's concert was certainly an example of that. It was more somber than any I have seen on tv since I left D.C. and also in that period of time I was a military mommy for 8 years.

I think all women and most men cry at the loss of a child - it happened in the 40's 50's 60's and 70's during WWII, Korea and Vietnam - and it still happens. I have been weeping for those lost in war and other conflicts since WWII when my dad was in the military. Both my dad and son were fine and were never in harms way - for which I was/am selfishly happy. But I had a stomach ache/ongoing worry for 8 years when my son was in and wondered on a daily basis if he'd be sent into war - especially after Sept 11, 2001. We, as parents, are never supposed to outlive our babies - it's not part of our psyches.

And so last night and still today - I weep for those mommies and daddies who have lost their children and for those children who have lost their mommies and daddies...and for those who lost husbands, wives and partners.

I hate that those who never served are so fast to send other people's children off to die in undeclared wars. This has been true since WWII - the last war that was actually declared by Congress. And not only did they never serve - death personified cheney got many deferrals - he really really actively did not want to go...but he's still making the media rounds with his war mongering.

To quote George McGovern: "I'm fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in."

Do not spend the day celebrating war or conflict - spend it in sober reflection about those who died and those who are wounded....and hug your kids.

Iraq

I admit there is no good solution to this mess - so if there is no solution, why does anyone think sending in more troops is a solution?

Having been against this stupidity before it started, at least back then "they" should have listened to Shinseki when he said it would take many many troops. He was right - then. But will more help now? I doubt it. Just means more of our children will die and I will keep crying...and my son is safely out of the military. But I cried all during the Vietnam mess and at that time I was not a mother - I think most women understand the loss of all children in a different way than do men....

If women were in positions of power around the world, would we have these senseless armed conflicts? I don't know for sure, but I'm willing to say let's try - the men have made a big mess of the world....so let's let the women attempt to fix it...at least here we'll have a start on this with Nancy Pelosi....

Some military persons have been calling for a change to the deployment "rules" so that troops [read children] can be deployed more frequently - hmmm - because they volunteered ? Nonsense - they did not volunteer for an illegal occupation of a country that had not harmed us. I say if "they" want more troops, there are many young conservative adults out there who ought to put their bodies where their mouths are and go join the military.