Another, and another, and another.

The Kennebec Journal informs us that yet another Maine soldier, Pfc. Jason Dore, has been killed in Iraq. On the back of the first section is a list of twenty-six others lost there. I don't see the most recent two, Sgt. Richard Parker and Sgt Joel House. Put these together, and we have lost twenty-nine soldiers so far. There will be more. They were proud to serve, and their families are rightfully proud of them. Remember why we went? Weapons of mass destruction. Imminent attacks on us. Just because the weapons inspectors couldn't find anything, didn't mean we shouldn't believe the appointed president when he told us the weapons were there, right?

He insists so well, after all. Remember how many times he has insisted that we are "turning a corner" in Iraq? No wonder we're lost there.

Here's my point. Mainers, by and large, want us out of this war. We've got two senators who have been yes-men (women, but you get my point) for the Decider from day one. Why is that? If we want out of this war, we need to decide now to vote for any candidate whom we can trust to help get us out. In my estimation, that person will not be Susan Collins. She may start making waffling noises in the lead-up to the election, but her voting history speaks for itself. The fragile balance in the senate is what has been holding congress back from being able to effect real change. Every (so-called) G.O.P. senator who gets shown the door next year brings us that much closer.

How many more must die for this failed war? I have attended some of these funerals. These are real children, husbands, brothers, of real people, just like you and me, and they are really dying. They are not numbers. They all had so much more to offer. Thirty, thirty-one, thirty-two, is that enough yet, Senator? Thirty-three, thirty-four, say when...
Andy ><> ><>