A Question From Tiff
I have a small question. I have watched a full week
of coverage of a flag drapped coffin-which is being
flown around-laid in state and visited by the faithful
hour after hour. Inside this coffin is a man who
lived to the ripe old age of 93 and overall had things
pretty good. He gave not his life, nor his limbs, nor
his dreams away for his country. He lived his life as
well as his dreams and we watch hours and hours of
tearful mourners and elaborate funeral rites at public
expense.
What of the 800 young American dead that not only can
we not see their flag drapped coffins coming home to
devastated families but we can't even all of us listen
to Ted Kopple quietly read the list of their names due
to American censorship. What of the thousands of
maimed beautiful young bodies of Americans, allies,
and cooperating Iraqui's--What of the dead Iraqi's who
really wanted to try democracy in their country--can
we not mourn them also?--Why is it not on T.V. hour
after hour yet this old man who left his body long ago
has been cannonized.
Those who have lost their lives in anonimity, those of
every participating race and culture who are now dead
and maimed for Iraqi oil-for the sake of rich, greedy
old men-I want to mourn them also. I want to see
their flag drapped coffins and their weeping families.
I want us to know what we have done to our own and to
others. I want to know the names of every person who
will never again see a sunset-or fall in love-or hold
their brand new born baby. I want to know the names
and the stories of those that will live 70 years or
more with no legs or arms or sight. I want to watch
as young wives and mothers and fathers weep-knowing
happiness is forever lost to them and they will spend
every day desperately missing someone.
We have proved we can follow grief 24x7--We're doing
it now. Why is it being denied to us to grieve for
the truly tragic.
Its just my question.