Beyond Tragedy

CNN is reporting that by their count the official death toll of American troops in Iraq has reached the 2,000 milestone.

Since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003, more than 15,000 American service members have been wounded in the conflict, according to the Defense Department.

According to CNN's tally, 2,194 coalition troops have died in the war.

In a justifiable conflict this would be a real tragedy. In the bloody light of this conflict it is beyond a tragedy in every way you can measure. The two thousand number is just a shadow of the real story. Each of these deaths ripples out and touches countless loved ones and friends. Grief and frustration touches thousands and thousands more. Heterodyne the more than 15,000 wounded and maimed and you probably have over a quarter of a million people directly and tragically touched by this useless, inexcusable farce. I am so ashamed of my country I can sometimes hardly breathe.