I just saw "Last Letters Home." Don't ask me anything.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

It's an HBo presentation. If you haven't seen it, see it.

1100+ Goodbyes. On this side of the ocean.

Each one had family or loved ones. Each family was forced to a new and different way of life without their loved one. Each death represents... no, is, a loss to the rest of us in this country.

There are 1100+ parents, wives, husbands, and children with a potential future ripped from their hearts.

And we grieve.

Oh, How we grieve.

Listening to the last letters home that these men and women (sometimes boys and girls) wrote was heart breaking and I watched in tear drenched fascination as family members read the last communication from a person they hoped to see again. The pain was palpable and empathy rose as gorge. Sorrow, anger and regret fills my soul while watching and during the period in which I write this.

I am thankful I was not a subject family on the program. There's no telling what feelings I would have.

Anger?

At whom?

Sadness?

Most assuredly.

Confusion?

Most likely.

The plethora of potential emotions is obvious. The pain of a lost loved one is known by many of the readers here and can easily be imagined by others. This leads me to a question.

How do the Iraqis feel?

Over 100,000 civilian casualties have been reported. That is 100,000 families, Friends and lovers that have had the most precious commodity in their lives ripped from them.

Will this endear them to the ideal of an American style democracy? Will this endear them to Americans?

Come on. Be real.

The number of enemies to America is increasing in startling geometric proportions and the whole world is watching. Like America felt after the tragic loss of 3,000 people in the Wold Trade Center buildings, the Middle East will feel likewise at the loss of the innocents in Iraq.

Like the world came to our side to offer aid and comfort after the slaughter of innocents, so will they come to the Iraqis.

And I can't blame them.

Please pick up your signs, your phones and your bodies. Let the rest of the world know that this country has not been defeated by greed and desire for empire. Most Americans believe this no matter how they voted. I have to believe that... Or I am ready to die. I don't want to see the future if I am wrong. Let the world know that we as a population are at odds with our leaders and that we need help and guidance to find our way back into the ideal of being simply a part of the whole rather than the ruler.

Thanks for reading.

[knowbody0]

1. there are no words

kudos to hbo. we weep. we must react

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

3. I'm surprised (and not surprised) there has'nt been an effort to get

the show quelched. They carefully maintained a non partisan role and did their best to assure that there were no anti or pro war statements.

Which is pretty remarkable, because, IMHO, the personalization of dead combatants screams anti-war to me.

But, hey. That's just me.

[hiley]

2. I agree completely

with your reaction. I watched Veteran's Day while so many others were busy trying to shut down Saving Private Ryan..We should see all the truth about war and the total devastation from it.There is noway to understand people that don't get it.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

5. You're right. And to try and get people to try to consider an emapathetic

view of the Iraqis....

We are sliding down a slippery slope.

[Sporadicus]

4. I Heard the Producer on NPR Friday Afternoon

His narrative on how this was made - along with some of the excerpts from letters written by family members - had my eyes watering on the drive home. I believe this presentation should be made available for viewing in schools, churches, on DVD and PPV. All those people sporting 'support our troops' ribbons on their SUVs should see the fruits of their blind 'patriotism' and how it has affected the families of those who have already lost children (and parents) in Iraq.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

6. I heard that as well. I had to have a shot of Jack before I could even

Turn the staion to the show.

It was as heart breaking as he represented.

[oldlady]

7. heartbreakingly unforgettable n/t

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

8. I don't think I've gotten over it yet.

[sexysenior]

9. I'm still heartbroken

after watching that presentation. The image of the eyes of the various family members is with me still; empty, searching eyes. I was particularly moved by the mother who kept touching the envelope in which her son's last letter arrived, so that she could touch where he had spit to seal it.

And these kids, including a 19 year old girl, died for what?

Someone ought to tie Bush in a chair and make him watch that from beginning to end. Anyone think he would have anything like a human reaction?

[hollywood926]

10. Oh I think he'd be completely shocked!

I mean, everything is going so well over there.

He'd start looking for his My Pet Goat book.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

12. Agreed. The letter from the man who felt he was going to die

to his wife, son and unborn child tore me apart.

[LizW]

11. I heard the producer on AAR Thursday morning

and I cried just listening to him tell how the project came about. He said he didn't intend to actually interview the families, but rather just to have them read the letters. But when he started meeting them, they almost all wanted to tell more, to tell about their beloved child or husband, so he listened. Most also wanted to tell the "knock at the door" stories, and he let them.

He told how military families know full well what it means when a chaplain and an officer appear at their door, and yet they often reported that denial still kicked in and they tried to "bargain" the news away. Heartbreaking.

I haven't seen the show yet (don't have HBO) but I hope to see it someday.

[Avalux]

13. I tried to watch it

but after about 20 minutes had to turn it off. I can't handle it emotionally; the tears wouldn't stop.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

14. I understand. It was like passing an automobile wreck for me...

I had to see it.

[anarchy1999]

15. Thank you for such an eloquent post. The USofA is in trouble.

Some of us know it. I'm afraid to say most don't. Thank god for DU and all the good people here.

Somewhere in that Bible we all throw around while we say "God Bless America" and "Support the troops" there is something Jesus said about "blessed be the peacemakers". There is something else about taking care of the least among you and turning the other cheek. Lots more, I think this nation could quite possibly be lost.

Once again, thank you for your post.