[jyl]

Hard fact: for many, even most, Americans, the war is just a faint hum in the background. Most people in this country are more interested in shopping ofr bargains, gas prices, daily highs and lows in the stock market, remodeling their kitchen, Opra and Rosie and American Idol, which starlet is in rehab today, and the playoffs.

Amid all this clutter, we set aside one national holiday each year to focus on our troops, what we send them to do, and the price they pay for our decisions.

Just one day to think hard about it, before America gets back to reality TV and summer vacation.

You guys seem to think that during that one precious day, the only acceptable thing to do is to enthusiastically swallow the carefully scripted photo-op speeches that the government feeds you. Any independent thought or questioning view is practically immoral, you say. Even if those speeches are full of lies, we daren't question them. Not on Memorial Day. Just drink your beer, applaud when you're instructed to, and shaddup. The only one who gets to talk is the President - the rest of us just listen.

I think there is no better day for all Americans - whether they live in the White House or not - to discuss and debate how and why we are spending the lives, bodies, and families of US soldiers in Iraq, not just for the past 4 years, and not just right now, but also potentially for the next decade.

Don't be a bunch of sheep, people.