The Price of War

Why war should be a last resort.

The Department of Defense has released the names of the 13 US service members who were killed in an attack outside Kabul’s airport on Thursday

– Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, 31, of Salt Lake City, Utah 

– Marine Corps Sgt. Johanny Rosariopichardo, 25, of Lawrence, Massachusetts 

– Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, 23, of Sacramento, California 

– Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Lopez, 22, of Indio, California 

– Marine Corps Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, 22, of Logansport, Indiana 

– Marine Corps Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, 20, of Rio Bravo, Texas 

– Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, 20, of St. Charles, Missouri  

– Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, 20, of Rancho Cucamonga, California 

– Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, 20, of Norco, California

– Navy Hospitalman Maxton W. Soviak, 22, of Berlin Heights, Ohio

– Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss, 23, of Corryton, Tennessee

– Marine Corps Cpl. Rylee McCollum, 20, Jackson, Wyoming

– Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Daegan Page, 23, Omaha, Nebraska

President George W. Bush sent our troops into Afghanistan less than a month after the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in NYC. The goal was to topple the Taliban government that was the home of Al-Qaeda which was quickly accomplished. We helped establish a new government there. Then came the mistake of trying to create a democracy in a nation of warring tribes.

American service members killed in Afghanistan through April: 2,448

U.S. contractors killed 3,846.

And now the United States is on a revenge mission. That translates to more loss of life.

Why is the United States in countries where we are unwanted occupants?

If only we would listen to Thomas Jefferson who said “I am for free commerce with all nations; political connection with none; and little or no diplomatic establishment. And I am not for linking ourselves by new treaties with the quarrels of Europe; entering that field of slaughter to preserve their balance. … The first object of my heart is my own country.”

Yes, I favored WWI, WWII, and Korea because the enemies were obvious and their intent was clear. Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan were fights over religion and oil. Does it make any difference who controls the oil fields and which part of Islam is dominant? Not in my world.

When is “enough is enough?”