Two years later

The war in Iraq started 2 years ago. Here are some of the things I wrote in my journal at the time…
“3/19/2003. Nothing has happened overnight, no strikes or raids upon Iraq. I was up at 4:30 after waking up many times last night. I have made my pot of coffee, using my new grinder, which I really enjoy! I have read the headlines and the news is all about the preparation for war. Not much is said about the lives of those most at risk in this war, the civilians of Iraq. When they die it is termed “collateral damage”, a phrase that should be termed obscene. It’s not damage, it is death! Those that fight in a war, on both sides, chose to do that. Death is an accepted risk for those who choose war. The civilians have no choice. War comes to them regardless.

What strange lives we lead. I can easily speak about coffee grinders in one sentence and then of death and destruction in the other. I don’t even feel guilty about it. War is still an abstract, a thought, without form and substance. Even when it is broadcast onto the large screen of the family television it has no reality. It’s just another documentary to watch; actors and actresses being blown apart and dying, never real people. It’s hard to place yourself, mentally, into the war…into the reality of it. Maybe it would be easier to fear war if we turned the TV sound down and had to imagine the sounds of war without the calm voice of the announcer to reassure us.

What does the day have in store for us? It would be a good time to ask the Lord for His support and blessing for all of those in danger today. Whether Iraqi or American, lots of lives are in danger today and for the foreseeable future.”
(Early the next day…3/20/2003)
“The war started last night with a strike by the U.S. at the supposed hiding place of Saddam. Forty Cruise missiles were launched from naval ships (at about 1 million dollars each) and targeted locations in and around Baghdad. Apparently they missed Saddam, as he or a body double showed up on television a few hours later. He supposedly has a half dozen or more people who resemble him ready to show up at various locations and fool whoever might be seeking to kill him. What a terrible job! But they probably have no voice in their choice of employment.

I have been watching TV and listening to the radio ever since early this morning. The news has been sketchy as the press is captive to the *bush administration. But what I just heard is encouraging, and that is the possibility that the Cruise missiles may have succeeded after all. Iraqi response since that attack has been erratic and not what is termed “normal”. If it is true that Saddam has been killed, the Iraqi response will probably be to surrender.

(Later) Nothing major to report at this hour (2:00 PM) I have been watching as the Marines have crossed over into Iraq and there has been some artillery dueling as well. Baghdad remains the main focus of bombing and missile strikes. There were 2 or more SCUD missiles fired at Kuwait, but they were intercepted and destroyed. The U.S. also lost a helicopter, but without injury, when it crashed in Iraq. It is currently 1:00 AM Friday in Iraq. An 11 hour difference.”
(And once more on the 3rd day of the war, 3/21/2003)
“Friday morning has rolled around again and the sad news continues. There have been casualties in the war, 13 combined American/British troops have been killed, but only one in combat. An American Marine was killed last night during a fight for control of an oilfield. There is still a lot of speculation about whether or not Saddam was killed in the first raid. Will we ever know? In the meantime, the war is changing its direction because of that uncertainty. The leaders/planners don’t want to waste “resources” if Saddam is, in fact, dead. I suppose I will spend a lot of time in front of the TV again today. I’m also listening to NPR radio, so I’m pretty well informed as to the current situation. I did try to visit some internet sites that might have shown real-time images of the war, but they were mysteriously blocked or unavailable. Hmmm?”

That is how my day started a few years ago. This morning’s news is different, yet it remains the same in some ways. We are still in Iraq and “collateral damage” still happens to Iraq’s civilians. As in all wars, soldiers die and the innocent suffer.

Of course this made me think, one more time, about war and all of its evil consequences…There are no innocent parties when countries go to war, yet each side always claims the moral high ground. Even in the most complex of political dramas, someone will say something, or make a decision that sets both sides on the path to that cruelest of engagements. A simple act that leads to horror.