4,000

Two weeks ago the number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq hit 4,000. Three weeks ago, V.P. Cheney was asked how he felt about the latest poll showing two thirds of Americans feel that Iraq was not worth fighting for. His replied was short and to the point: "So?"

Nice to know you care about American people, Mr. Vice President

I've read somewhere that, on average, ten people are affected for every soldier death. Obviously, these ten people include families and friends. So, with 4,000 deaths, that means there are 40,000 people in mourning - trying to come to terms with the loss.

Was Cheney awared of this statistics when he arrogantly dismissed American people's attitude?

Of course, Mr. Cheney would love to have us believed that Iraq is worth fighting for. He talked about liberating Iraqi children from tyranny, giving them a chance to grow up in a democratic society.

Really? Are you sure, Mr. Vice President? Are you sure it's not throwing them into anarchy after pulling them from tyranny?

I once received a letter from a friend in Iraq telling me how dire the situation was. How, instead of heroes, the soldiers are viewed as invaders. And there were no smiling Iraqi children. Most don't dare to show their faces outside their homes.
Even though the letter contained doubts, he still hung on to the ideals: that he was there to help, that his sacrifice was worthwhile.

I just hope that someday, whatever they think of our politics, the Iraqi children will come to acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices that these military men/women had made.