by James Glaser
November 22, 2004

That number is the number of Americans killed so far, in George Bush's War in Iraq. 1,084 of them have died since George's "Mission Accomplished" speech. Some would say it is our war, but we are attacking a country that was no threat to us and it was a Presidential choice to do so. Congress never declared war and if you believe in our Constitution, they must do that if we want to call this an American War.

On Veterans Day, President Bush called American Soldiers, "the hidden heroes of a peaceful nation." I would debate the peaceful part of that tribute, but I would agree that our men and women in uniform are true heroes.

People join our military for many reasons. More and more today are joining up in hope of becoming American citizens. Many are from poor areas of the nation with no job prospects, so the military is a good paying job for them. Then there are the ones looking for help with their education when they get out, and the GI Bill is a ticket to prosperity if they use it. Since 9/11 there is a new group signing up and they are the ones who sign on the line because they want to protect our country and their loved ones.

Every one of these reasons is just fine and they have been a reason to join the American military for a hundred years. I had a Drill Instructor in Marine Corps Boot Camp who came from Scotland to serve and get his citizenship, and in Vietnam, James Lott served with me, and he was from New Zealand.

About the only thing that has changed for enlistments is a Judge giving a young man the choice, the Marines or jail.

President Bush calls our troops "Hidden Heroes" and they shouldn't be. Sure we see them on the nightly news, but those who give the most for our country, those who are the greatest heroes are hidden because of the President's own policy.

Bush bans all photography of the coffins in which our soldiers, our heroes, return to us in. Sure this policy was in effect before Bush came to office, but only George Bush has strictly enforced it.

Now that the election is over and those returning coffins will no longer cost him votes, President Bush should relax that photo ban so that the American public can see and honor and pray, for those Americans who have given their lives for this nation.