alibi . august 11 – 17, 2005
A Fool’s Errand
America should have heeded opponents of the Iraq War
By Jim Scarantino

We tried to squeeze in a dissenting word on KOB’s talk radio, where the hosts rooted for war like it was the Lobos versus BYU. The Albuquerque Journal ignored us. Yard signs were stolen from our homes until we taped them to garages and chimneys where they might last the night. …

We were ridiculed, cursed, banished to France. Friendships were strained, some snapped. We were called mad, when madness was driving the nation we love across the threshold of killing and torturing innocent people, on a course history does not permit to be erased or forgiven. …

Our fears have been realized. Our sons and daughters were sent around the world on a fool’s errand. Tens of thousands have come home maimed or in a coffin. …

Instead of a hobbled Hussein, we face ayatollahs who despise us. That’s what we have bought with the lives of nearly 1,800 Americans. …

I do Jim a disservice by snipping just these parts from his moving essay. Read the whole thing. peace, mjh