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4,000 DEAD! “So…? They Volunteered”

Upon the occasion of the four thousandth death among U.S. forces in Iraq, re-printed below is a relevant poem I wrote some time ago.

In a recent interview, Vice President Dick Cheney, in response to a reporter’s assertion that two-thirds of the country is opposed to the administration’s policy in Iraq, he responded, “So…?” Upon another occasion, Cheney was asked to respond to the continued increase in casualties in Iraq. He indicated that they are volunteers and, as such, have no cause for complaint.

This sums up the Bush Administration’s incredible arrogance and unfeeling attitude as regards the people whose sense of duty and country they have betrayed. All of this is further exacerbated by a seeming pathological attempt to shield the casualties—both dead and wounded—from the eyes and minds of the American public.

SHOW ME NO FLAG-DRAPED COFFINS

Show me no flag-draped coffins.
“Out of sight is out of mind.”
Run, work up those endorphins—
Stay you all mentally blind!

Hide those with limbs gone missing,
Without eyes—yes, shield them, too.
Send those with loose brains fishing;
That’s the least that we can do.

Armor plates come in handy,
When there’s time, in wars of choice.
Otherwise, it’s just dandy;
“Stay the course” ‘sa higher voice.

Count not the missing soldiers;
It detracts from other things.
Batten down those disclosures;
Such fuss of hysteria rings.

When we say, “New World Order,”
With profits our prime concern,
Loss-lists seem so much shorter
By letting those damn things burn.

Show me no flag-draped coffins;
Funerals should not be seen.
Viewing death once too often,
Our hidden truths you may glean.