Right on point.

Well said, Tom! We can only hope that any President will continue to remember that these are not numbers, but someone's son, daughter, husband, wife, etc. And can we drop the Michael Jackson coverage, already! There are much more important issues going on in the world, like what is happening in Iraq, besides covering every minute of every day of his life. He was a great entertainer, but he's gone. He will be missed. OK, move on.

Today is supposed to be a great day. What people fought and died for has come to fruition, a free Iraq run by its people. Yet, it's a bittersweet moment. Freedom wasn't free again. I know soldiers fight knowing they may not come out of the battle the same or come out at all. I know we send them over there with that understanding, too. For four years I've tried to wrap my head around the death of my childhood friend due to that war. I've tried to wrap my head around the emotional toll for the soldiers I know who have returned. As selfish as this sounds, and as much as I know the sacrifice is supposed to be worth freedom, it wasn't, isn't. I'm sorry. The thousands of lives it took to get to today were senseless losses. I think the violence and hatred will continue in that country. I'm not sure what was accomplished in reality. Worst of all, I am not sure Mike died for anything. This day is long overdue and too late for too many.

Unfortunately this war was fought because of "ego" and without basis. As a veteran, I know what it's like to be on both sides. Who did we fight this war for? What was in it for the US? Did we protect any freedoms? Were there EVER any WMDs found? (NO). In the end we had a President who wanted to prove he was tougher than daddy and who was hell bent on trying.

I fear the sad truth is thousands of lives will have been lost and it's only a matter of time before we're faced with another unfriendly Iraq. There is no way anyone will convince me it has suddenly been converted to a peaceful, US loving country. Face it. The pounding we gave Iraq the first time around didn't do the trick. It's like the saying, "There will never be a second great flood. The first one didn't work."

What happens when there's a civil war? Do we go back in? We've artificially shifted the balance of power. Did our interference solve the problems with Iran? Not for any great length of time. I'm grateful for th people who are out there fighting. I know there are a lot of good people who will fight because they're patriotic, but it doesn't excuse the people who put them there to begin with, or the reasons behind it.

and also because of everything costing so much now i have to decide if i pay what bills i can or eat food this week. I AM GONNA LOSE MY HOME! and i can not get any kind of help at all.