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| Home Front: WoT |
| The Price of Freedom |
| 2005-10-31 |
| DC Examiner Editorial - in full Last weekend, the number of United States service members killed in Iraq climbed past 2,000, marking an unfortunate milestone since the initial U.S. invasion in March of 2003. Any loss of life - especially on the field of battle - is tragic. But while the 2,000th death in Iraq is meaningful, it's also an arbitrary milestone: The 2,000th death is every bit as tragic as the second and the 200th. We should use the occasion to reflect on the high cost of freedom, but those who are using the 2,000th death to make the case for a pullout from Iraq are misguided. Foreign policy should not pivot around arbitrary casualty milestones. Although we should always pause and give thanks for the courage of these fallen individuals, we should also keep sight of what it was they died trying to accomplish. Casualties are the most devastating proof of the harsh reality and nature of war. But there is still a conflict to be won and failure and/or immediate withdrawal are not wise options. All Americans no doubt wish for the swift return of our soldiers from overseas, but we should also hope that before they do, they accomplish the goals they have set out to achieve. |
| Posted by:Bobby |