Iraq Victory Celebration

20 million dollars has been set aside for a party in our nation's capitol. We've seen grand parties in DC, but this one is special. A Pentagon spokesperson said this party was envisioned as an opportunity for “honoring returning U.S. forces at the conclusion” of operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. A party “for commemoration of success” in Iraq and Afghanistan

Of course our US forces should be honored, but George Bush tells us this is going to be a long war. "Our own generation is in a long war against a determined enemy." he said in his 2006 State of the Union speech. A LONG war. A conclusion to this war is far off.

Congress refuses to fund the war properly with regards to training, equipment, staffing levels but they want a party; maybe not this year, but they want a party and they are making sure that they will have one. For $20 million dollars, it will be one heckuva party. Guaranteed!

Conditions in Iraq are nearly out of control with Afghanistan not much better. Last week (Iraq) also saw the highest number of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices this year," said" Major General William Caldwell, using the military terminology for car bombs. "The number of improvised explosive devices was also at an all time high," he added, referring to home-made bombs used by Iraqi insurgents and militias to target road traffic. A week earlier, Caldwell said the number of suicide attacks in Iraq was at its highest point since the 2003 invasion, citing the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan as a traditional peak for violence in Iraq. And Congress wants a party. Amazing, just amazing.

These people are all drinking double shots of this administration's purple koolaid if they think this celebration will be warranted in the coming year or the next. Until there is a change in this disastrous course, this money should be earmarked for, oh, I don't know, maybe taking care of the veterans and their families as they return? $20 million dollars would go a long way towards healing these veterans and their families. But instead they cut the budget for the vets and they set aside $20 MILLION for a party?

Don't mind the noise; it's just me howling in pain.