I posted this blog on another forum on 23 October 2011

A War is the organised killing of humans.  Its very existence shames humanity or humankind.  War causes unimaginable physical injury and insult to the human body and its spirit.

From the physical and mental,  individual and social, to the immediate and prolonged suffering and loss, the effect of a war is its planned and efficient destruction of life.  Human lives lost to war can neither be balanced by the lives saved, nor can they be compensated, because every civilian/combatant who has died in war was unique and irreplaceable.

My whinge for the day.  A sensitive topic that we don’t really talk about, and we all have our own views on it and here’s mine:

On October 22nd 2011, President Obama announced the complete withdrawal of US forces from Iraq by the end of 2011.   It was welcome news, especially for the families of the tens of thousands of troops (delete comma) who will be home for Christmas (The Australian 2011).

At the same time, no US official has been held accountable for US policies leading to the abuse in Iraq, or for the lies and/or reasons which started the war in the first place. I am trying to understand what was accomplished.  What has been done for the Iraqi people?

At the same time, no US official has been held accountable for US policies leading to the abuse in Iraq, or for the lies/reasons which started the war in the first place.   I am trying to understand what was accomplished?  What has been done for the Iraqi people?  A whole lot of destruction of infrastructure, women/children/civilian loss of life and the thousands of causalities?  The US Administration is washing its hands off this war just like they did after the Vietnam war.   Despite the decreasing US presence in Iraq, the country has been permanently affected, and questions about accountability remains.

I respect every view on this subject, and I have nothing but gratitude and respect for the Veterans and all Defence Force personnel who have been to war or not. 

I am not anti-war, but I am for PEACE.

The Fallen of World War II – (Video)

A documentary that has used data, animation, images, voice over and music brilliantly without any of the elements overpowering the message in terms of the casualties of war and without losing the sensitivity of the subject.

References:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/obama-announces-iraq-troop-pullout-by-the-end-of-2011/story-e6frg6so-1226173695959 

http://collateralmurder.com/

http://patreon.com/neilhalloran