Acceptable Losses

Something that really struck a nerve with me upon reading this article:

According to one senior American officer recently: "We can live with the kind of casualty levels we're getting."

"It's not the kind of thing that creates big campaigns back home."

Even the cost to the US tax-payer - $4.7bn a month - is something the American economy can easily absorb.

Of course, there's a much larger picture to be had in all of this mess. Long term stabilization in such a volatile region of the world is certainly good for all, on a global scale. If; and I repeat, If it can be secured.

The cost of peace and freedom is always paid with a high price, and unfortunately, often, with human blood. This country's (United States) freedom from England is owed in great part to that same price, paid, in full.

But still, I think about that excerpt. It could be mine or your, son's and daughter's amongst those 'acceptable casualties'. $4.7 billion monthly, in tax payer's dollars that could go toward so many domestic issues which need to be addressed.

Frustrating; to say the least.