The Cost of Iraq

With today's announcement that the Administration is 'scaling back expectations' in Iraq, and the news that, two plus years into the war, we still somehow can't quite manage to make sure our troops have adequate body armor, it's worth devoting a moment to thinking about what a colossal, costly error this endeavor has been. It should be seared into our brains, both for the purpose of deciding on who should represent us in Congress in 2006, and as a cautionary tale as we think about future activities in the "Global Struggle Against Violent Extremism", or whatever euphemism we're now using.

To that end, one of the most devastating costs is achingly chronicled on today's New York Times op-ed page. There's not much to say about the piece, except that it should be required reading for every member of the Administration, every Senator and member of Congress (and their aides), and every history student in this country. Maybe then--maybe--we'll spend a bit more time honestly contemplating the costs and benefits of going to war next time instead of reflexively grabbing our flags and Vietnam-era equipment and trotting off to show the world who's boss.

If you, like I did, read this article and feel both sad and responsible, and you agree it's something everyone in this country should understand, there are at least two things you can do: first, forward the piece on to family and friends; second, encourage your local paper to pick up and re-run the piece so that a wider audience beyond New York Times readers hears what Mr. Crawford has to say.