I believe that the strongest support we could give our military men and women is to bring them home from this ill-chosen battleground before shells start firing. A recent global gathering of people have been discussing the danger from "dirty bombs" (radioactive materials used with a conventional delivery system) in the hands of unregulated people (aka terrorists). They are worried.

But they over looked the biggest purveyor of dirty bombs: the U.S. military. No one brought up -- at least not in front of reporters -- the radioactive dirt that was strewn in Iraq in the Gulf War of 1991 by exploding bombs and tank rounds fired by the U.S. made of depleted uranium contaminated with plutonium, neptunium, and americium. Nor the hazards caused by the U.S. military exploding the chemical, biological, and radiological stockpiles found in Iraq at that time.

Yet, so far, over 220,000 Gulf War vets have sought medical care and been awarded disability. If you want to read further of the total inadequacy of the protection of our military men and women in this past and proposed future theatre of war, please click on the Link of the Month on the Table of Contents. Yes Magazine's newest issue has an interview with US Army Major Doug Rokke who spent the Gulf War in the theatre preparing soldiers to respond to nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare and returned severely contaminated himself.

We have to stop making such crud. Everywhere. All over this world. The armament industry (which is making incredible money) must be ended. The world's countries must dismantle every bomb and the atrocious nuclear genie stoppered for as long as the grass shall grow and the sun shall shine. If we want to have an earth to live upon in some degree of peace and prosperity for everyone.

Not too much to ask for, is it?

Cherie

Photo and writing copyright 2003 by Cherie Staples.