Indifference

Some of America’s most honored civilian and military leaders have proven to be derelict in their duty to the troops that are fighting in Iraq. Unfortunately, none have been held accountable for their incompetence and deceit. Nearly 3,000 American families have lost a son, daughter, spouse and close relative or friend to the senseless war in Iraq. Nevertheless, it’s business as usual. Where is the accountability? Where is the rage?

Rep. Charles Rangel proposed that the draft be reinstated. He suggest that politicians would be more reluctant to take our country to war if they understood that their constituents might be called up to fight. There was uniform opposition to Rangel’s proposal and it never provoked even a brief discussion of the responsibilities and obligations of ordinary Americans in a time of war.

Without a personal stake in the war in Iraq, most Americans are indifferent to its consequences. This widespread indifference enables most Americans to go about their daily lives completely unconcerned about the death and destruction occurring ever day. The vast majority of young Americans don’t want anything to do with the military. Consequently, the burden of fighting has fallen on a small cadre of volunteers who are being sent into the war zone again and again.

There is no acceptance of collective sacrifice in this war, no shared burden of responsibility. The troops in Iraq are fighting, suffering and dying in a war in which there are no clear objectives and no end in sight. The vast majority of Americans are grossly indifferent to the ongoing slaughter being perpetrated in their name. So far over 10,000 men and women have returned home physically and emotionally maimed. This month alone, 100 Americans died pointlessly, while the rest of us went shopping.