The cost of war

The news of the day has been unbelievable. Again our headlines read about the numbers dead and the numbers wounded. Again commentators and talk show guests speculate about motives and reasons. The reports of numbers begin to desensitize us to the reality of death and the loss of human life.

Tonight news programs are full with the coverage of Fort Hood, Texas and the events surrounding the largest number of casualties on a US military base. Speculation is everywhere. One guest on a television program attempted linked the suspect’s last name with a possible terror motive for the shootings and killings.

When I saw the news today flash on my computer screen, my thoughts turned immediately the events of yesterday. Just yesterday, I was in Chicago. I was listening to Skippy, a veteran from Iraq, talk about his experience in the military and in the war. He shared the effects that many young people in the military were experiencing, with deployment or even redeployment. As I listened to Skippy speak last night, the question kept coming to mind: How much can we expect human beings to endure?

Are the events in Fort Hood related to the psychological trauma brought on by war? There will be many who will argue against that view. Certainly, those in favor of continued deployment will not want to hear that point of view. To me, it seems clear the stress is great for the people facing deployment or redeployment. It is great for the human beings presently deployed. It is great for their families.

The human cost is great. It is too great.

In Chicago last night, one college student noted: “It is hard to say you are against, or even question the war. People ask. ”˜How can you oppose our military and the men and women who serve?’ ”

When will the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan end?

When we recognize that we cannot coerce and force people into “freedom.”