I love architecture, and so it’s with a little twinge that I see the methodical, surgical demolition of the array of fabulous governmental buildings and palaces that Saddam had built over the past few decades (including during times when his own people were said to be starving under UN sanctions).
But only a twinge. Yeah, just as there’s a fascination about the hubris-in-stone of the old Nazi architecture of Germany, so too there is a fascination in what Saddam wrought. But not only will Iraq be better off without it, the surgical demolition of these structures can only further demoralize the remnants of the government and military leadership.
I regret more the destruction of records in those buildings. It’s that sort of thing that’s important in war crimes trials.
It seems ironic that, thus far, more coalition casualties have come from helicopter accidents, rather than enemy (or even friendly) fire.
I did see one disturbing thing on MSNBC this evening. A hoarse-voiced father of one of the Marines who was killed in actual fighting was angrily holding up a photo to the camera. “I want President Bush to see this. That’s the only son I had.“
And he enlisted in the Marines, sir. I grieve for his loss, though obviously less than you do, but don’t diminish, in your grief, the sacrifice he made, of his own free will.
I said the same thing. And, Sarge said it as well……only he said it as a warning to his family – with some serious venom.
More on that story here. And Sgt Striker’s comments here.
If they’d been draftees, yeah. But they weren’t. This is spitting on their own sons’ graves.
Grief makes people do odd things. They stike out at loved ones, at god (for those that believe), at strangers on the street. I’ve been told (by my sister after my niece died) that the loss of a child stays with a parent for a long time (she still has bad times on Sage’s birthday). This is a parent that is trying to deal with his loss and grief, and really has yet to come to grips on how to deal with it. He want others to feel his loss and pain. To make them feel as bad as he does.
Yes, his son is a volunteer. Yes, all his friends and family should know that this can happen when you are in the millitary. But that does noy keep them from letting their emotions from pouring out. Emotions trump, thought on such occasions.
I feel the same way about anybody that gets killed doing something that they volunteered for. but it’s one thing to call him stupid, or say he is a big baby, but until you are in his shoe’s you really have no right to criticize him. Hold your tongue’s, and let the Father have his peace.
It’s not his peace I’m concerned with, though you are correct — few of us, mercifully, can know the grief he feels.