The Little People

I found this article about name changing to be interesting. We've become so accustomed to hearing about the latest Baghdad bombing that, at least for me, it barely registers anymore. President Bush continues to insist that the Iraq will be able to survive on its own "eventually" and that they're not headed towards a civil war. I disagree, but that's not what has me thinking this morning.

What I took from this article is the reminder that in a war-torn country of rebels and religious extremists, there still remain "little people." Men, women, and children who have strong religious beliefs but to NOT fall under the category of extremists. The media would have us believe that every Iraqi is a bomb-toting, American hating, terrorist, a generalization that is used to fuel continued U.S. involvement in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Nobody mentions those that are just trying to stay alive and go about their daily lives.

General Sherman (my history-loving husband would be proud of me!) said, "War is hell." That's true of us here in the States, too, but not to the same degree. I'm not scared to walk out my door. I don't worry daily about being shot in the street. I may not agree with all of the decisions that my government makes, but I trust that they're doing everything that they can to keep me safe. Let's not forget that war is hell on the other side of the ocean, too.