On the dotted line

A common argument heard in response to one pointing out the tragedy of our soldiers killed and wounded in Iraq: "Well, they did know when they signed up that going to war was a possibility."

True, our soldiers signed on the dotted line. They did not sign on, however, to be put in harm's way in an unjust and unnecessary war. They signed on to defend their country against all enemies, foreign and domestic. How was the Iraqi government under Saddam Hussein a threat to this country? No weapons of mass destruction. No connection to Al Qaeda. Our war in Iraq was and is a war of choice, not of necessity. A sleazy oil war.

Yet to make this argument is to risk being labelled a bore. Those who a few years ago argued vociferously in defense of the war now just roll their eyes and change the subject. And yet the war rages on. And yet our soldiers continue to die. For what? For the dreams of empire dreamt by a handful of greedy old men.