Iraq and the Valley of Elah

My friend Jim Roselli is an extraordinarily gifted photographer and a great human being. He has given me permission to use some of his photos on this blog. The photo evokes the beauty and tranquility of the world. It somehow is where we are called to be. Not that all nature is tranquil, but that nature is not besmirched with the demonic evil of us human beings.

This blog is not about beauty, but about evil. The evil of the war in Iraq. We despair of hearing words of repentance and truth from George Bush and his cronies and really those who continue to support this war. I am appalled about McCain talking about more tax cuts--let us bribe the American people with a few dollars, of course the wealthier you are the more dollars you will get. That is the American way. But how can we talk about tax cuts when we face this 3 trillion dollar price tag on this war, so far. That is the number that the award wining economist Stieglitz puts on the war. But that is just the money and just the beginning if we end up with continuing this war.

The human cost though--the death and maiming and destructing of Iraqis. Oh, but we have the power of the US government and the co opted media to prevent us from seeing that very much. And too we really don't want to think about it--who cares if starving Lazarus is at the gate, I just want to eat well myself. Please give me another helping of tax cuts please.

And then we come closer to home. The deaths of over 4000 Americans should appal us. The physical maiming of tens of thousands should outrage us. The psychological and spiritual and emotional crippling hundreds of thousands should anger and energize us.

Recently, I saw the movie In the Valley of Elah starring Tommie Lee Jones and Charlize Theron. It is about the mind/soul wounds of returning combat troops. See it. You will not look upon the Iraq war or American troops who have fought there in the same way. I am angry--again and again. Hope has two lovely daughters--anger and courage, said Augustine. I have anger--we have anger. But where is our courage?