During this season of joy and yuletide and thoughts of peace on Earth, I wondered about those whose lives will never be the same. I wonder how much comfort will be felt now that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will be personally signing letters of condolence to families of Americans killed in Iraq. Families that include the wives, husbands, children, mothers, fathers and siblings who have lost the most precious thing on Earth, the one thing that is irreplaceable.
The price being paid by our brave men and women in uniform to spread democracy and freedom throughout Iraq is much greater than we were led to believe. Soon two years will have passed since the initial decision to engage in a pre-emptive strike was undertaken. The price of that decision grows larger with each passing day. Was it absolutely necessary to attack? Did we find the so-called WMDs? Are we winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqis? It took 10 years for the Russians to find out there was no way to win in Afghanistan before they pulled out. I hope a different fate lies ahead for America.
DOUG GAMBLE
Everett
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