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.


(posted here because I really wanted more people to make an effert to see the production)

other thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

Apologies, but I really feel strogly about this.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

1. a kick for the dying.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

2. and another

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

3. Has no one seen this?

Christ, a repeat of a Star Trek movie gets more reaction.

[Qanisqineq]

4. I haven't been able to bring myself to watch this yet

and I am afraid that when I finally decide to, it will no longer be airing on HBO. My husband saw part of it and said what he saw was not good for Bush. I'm surprised he watched any of it. He served in Iraq and prefers not to hear anything about that war. It is only a matter of time until he goes back.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

5. It's heart wrenching....

As well as it should be.

The truth hurts.


I'm soi glad your husband is home.

[Gardeaux08]

6. I saw it today...

I keep asking myself how much longer can I cry?

My cousin shipped out for Iraq yesterday.

[Dem2theMax]

7. I'd love to see it. No HBO. No $$$$ for HBO. sigh. nt.

[Danmel]

8. Unbelieveably painful

Cathy Heighter, the mother of Raheen Tyson Heighter, lives about 30 minutes away from me. I met her at a function for our Congressman, who gave use of his campaign offices over to the Kerry campaign.

She is a lovely woman, remarkably strong, but all you have to do is look at her to see the pain she is suffering. What a tragedy.