For Whom The Bell Tolls
A very short commentary on something I read today.34 total reviews
Comment from louparis
Your sorrow for those lost in Iraq is felt by more people than you imagine. Your piece is well written and ever timely. You can write the same about the lives lost in Afghanistan.
Please not that i lived in Iraq for 2 years in 1968/69, a bloody time in that country. I have also been to Kabul twice and you have to have been there to appreciate the problems of bringing a tribal country together under one national roof; that hasn't happened in over 400 years, and it still hasn't.
I have many Arab friends and acquaintances from my 15 years in the Middle East and by all accounts from the US media, the Iraqi and Afghan lives lost in those conflicts mean nothing - that is what is really sad.
By-the-way, the granson of an old consulting colleague was killed in Mosul in 2006.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Your sorrow for those lost in Iraq is felt by more people than you imagine. Your piece is well written and ever timely. You can write the same about the lives lost in Afghanistan.
Please not that i lived in Iraq for 2 years in 1968/69, a bloody time in that country. I have also been to Kabul twice and you have to have been there to appreciate the problems of bringing a tribal country together under one national roof; that hasn't happened in over 400 years, and it still hasn't.
I have many Arab friends and acquaintances from my 15 years in the Middle East and by all accounts from the US media, the Iraqi and Afghan lives lost in those conflicts mean nothing - that is what is really sad.
By-the-way, the granson of an old consulting colleague was killed in Mosul in 2006.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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I feel deeply for the Iraqi people also. I don't think we can ever imagine or comprehend what it is like to have your country taken over, even by so-called "friendly" forces. It is so very sad to see people fighting over this planet.
Thank you so much for the review.
Jan
Comment from luna
Jan, thank you for carrying the message so eloquently. We need to hear what you have to say. It has been going on far to long and does not appear like there is any end in sight, does there? Thank you for speaking out, my dear friend.
Love,
Jenny *smile*
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Jan, thank you for carrying the message so eloquently. We need to hear what you have to say. It has been going on far to long and does not appear like there is any end in sight, does there? Thank you for speaking out, my dear friend.
Love,
Jenny *smile*
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Thank you so much, Jan. Indeed, it doesn't appear there is an end anywhere in sight. Sigh.
Hugs,
Jan
Comment from Jewell McChesney
Janilou, dear! This is beautiful. I come back now and then and you are one I watch for. I truly am your fan. Your very soft, warm heart is revealed fully in this beutiful write.
Pray for me. I'm in a slump and have no inspiration at the moment!
I am entering a new phase and will be speaking publically again after a long drought too. I will be the feature speaker in April for a monthy women's gathering in our area. Pray I know in my knower what God has in store for them!
Jewell
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Janilou, dear! This is beautiful. I come back now and then and you are one I watch for. I truly am your fan. Your very soft, warm heart is revealed fully in this beutiful write.
Pray for me. I'm in a slump and have no inspiration at the moment!
I am entering a new phase and will be speaking publically again after a long drought too. I will be the feature speaker in April for a monthy women's gathering in our area. Pray I know in my knower what God has in store for them!
Jewell
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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I have been praying for you all afternoon. I will PM you later if I get in before midnight. Last night, we didn't get in from chores until 1am. Ugh.
Thank you so much for the review, dear friend.
Hugs,
Jan
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Thank you so very much. I appreciate your prayers. I hope we can catch up soon. HAPPY EASTER!!
Comment from Annmuma
I never, ever understood the reasons behind this war. So many innocents have died for no reason. Our soldiers are so brave and so willing to take whatever the risks are because they are asked to. My prayers are with them, with the American people and with the Iraqi's. The death, the destruction, the horror all seemed so unnecessary to me when the first shot was fired and seems to still be that way today. I don't know what we do now. Do we just say, "Well, your country is just mess. You guys need to clean it up; we're going home." There are no easy answers. I find it difficult to understand how those who led us into this chamber of horrors sleep at night. I'm glad your son is home safe and I pray for all mothers' sons. ann
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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I never, ever understood the reasons behind this war. So many innocents have died for no reason. Our soldiers are so brave and so willing to take whatever the risks are because they are asked to. My prayers are with them, with the American people and with the Iraqi's. The death, the destruction, the horror all seemed so unnecessary to me when the first shot was fired and seems to still be that way today. I don't know what we do now. Do we just say, "Well, your country is just mess. You guys need to clean it up; we're going home." There are no easy answers. I find it difficult to understand how those who led us into this chamber of horrors sleep at night. I'm glad your son is home safe and I pray for all mothers' sons. ann
Comment Written 17-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Thank you so much. Agreed! I really appreciate the review.
Jan
Comment from RenieReader
You are right, Jan: 3988 is too many. What number could possibly be enough? Just because we don't know each one personally, someone does. You've expressed this point beautifully in your article. There are several young men over there or training to go over there that I worked with. Some of them still keep in touch. It comforts me for a while, but then I start worrying again. One has returned home, with psychological wounds because his buddy was blown apart right beside him. It's hard to know what is right in these situations. Thank you for writing this piece.
Hugs,
Renie
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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You are right, Jan: 3988 is too many. What number could possibly be enough? Just because we don't know each one personally, someone does. You've expressed this point beautifully in your article. There are several young men over there or training to go over there that I worked with. Some of them still keep in touch. It comforts me for a while, but then I start worrying again. One has returned home, with psychological wounds because his buddy was blown apart right beside him. It's hard to know what is right in these situations. Thank you for writing this piece.
Hugs,
Renie
Comment Written 16-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Thank you so very much, Renie. My own son returned with PTSD. I really appreciate your words here.
Hugs,
Jan
Comment from Sue-z-Q
Hi Jan:
As long as there are powerful people controlling everything, especially the purse strings of the world's nations, they will over power the meek and the weak, in fact everyone who is less powerful. It's been going on since the earliest hominids fought over who would get the better cave. I don't see the wars ending any time soon, at least not as long as the rich and wealthy lords of the drug or oil businesses can profit from it. Damn shame we have to bear it, but what else can we, the meek, weak and poor do?
Nicely written, gal.
Your friend & fan,
Sue-z-Q
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Hi Jan:
As long as there are powerful people controlling everything, especially the purse strings of the world's nations, they will over power the meek and the weak, in fact everyone who is less powerful. It's been going on since the earliest hominids fought over who would get the better cave. I don't see the wars ending any time soon, at least not as long as the rich and wealthy lords of the drug or oil businesses can profit from it. Damn shame we have to bear it, but what else can we, the meek, weak and poor do?
Nicely written, gal.
Your friend & fan,
Sue-z-Q
Comment Written 16-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Yes, it has, and I fear it will never change. There is something about man as a species - he just doesn't get it. Many thanks for the wonderful review!
Jan
Comment from bookishfabler
I couldn't have said it any better. This is very strong and heartfelt. I honestly believe it is time to get all of our soldiers the Hell out of there and back home with thier families. Thanks again for sharing your feelings.
hug and Peace
book
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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I couldn't have said it any better. This is very strong and heartfelt. I honestly believe it is time to get all of our soldiers the Hell out of there and back home with thier families. Thanks again for sharing your feelings.
hug and Peace
book
Comment Written 16-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Thank you so much, Book.
Hugs,
Jan
Comment from Teri7
To me this is truly well deserving of six stars. I wish my Jon could have come home. He almost made it but almost is not good enough. This is well written and I so agree with you my friend. I am thankful your son is home. God bless you and much love, Teri
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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To me this is truly well deserving of six stars. I wish my Jon could have come home. He almost made it but almost is not good enough. This is well written and I so agree with you my friend. I am thankful your son is home. God bless you and much love, Teri
Comment Written 16-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Teri - thank you! I know what an ordeal that was for you. I am so sorry you went through it. Bless your heart for awarding this six-star review.
Hugs and love,
Jan
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It is so deserving of six stars and more if it were possible. You are a great friend to all that know you. Love, Teri
Comment from pugdogy
great job!!! the picture you chose to use fits perfectly. this story is very well written and also heart breaking. I wish it would just be over with they need to bring our troops home. pugdogy
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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great job!!! the picture you chose to use fits perfectly. this story is very well written and also heart breaking. I wish it would just be over with they need to bring our troops home. pugdogy
Comment Written 16-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Thank you so much for the review. I really appreciate it.
Hugs,
Jan
Comment from Paradox Tremors
Although I agree with you one lost life is too many, it's a ugly fact of reality. Nobody was forced to go and serve in Iraq. Everyone is a volunteer in our armed forces regardless of their reasons to join. They understood their obligations. They knew the danger. There is always that chance our country will call upon them to serve, to protect and perhaps sacrifice their lives. If we had bailed out of WW2 at the four thousand death mark where would we be today? Would Hitler's heir be sitting in the White House now? W e don't know. The world is a ugly place. Was you not outrage on 9-11? What if we just turned and forgot about it - then what?
I respect your opinion. Respect your words and the freedom you have of saying it. Your piece is written well and completely thought out. Unfortunately the 5000 mark is on the horizon. Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts and my prayer is we soon be finish and bring our soldiers home from every area of the world.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Although I agree with you one lost life is too many, it's a ugly fact of reality. Nobody was forced to go and serve in Iraq. Everyone is a volunteer in our armed forces regardless of their reasons to join. They understood their obligations. They knew the danger. There is always that chance our country will call upon them to serve, to protect and perhaps sacrifice their lives. If we had bailed out of WW2 at the four thousand death mark where would we be today? Would Hitler's heir be sitting in the White House now? W e don't know. The world is a ugly place. Was you not outrage on 9-11? What if we just turned and forgot about it - then what?
I respect your opinion. Respect your words and the freedom you have of saying it. Your piece is written well and completely thought out. Unfortunately the 5000 mark is on the horizon. Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts and my prayer is we soon be finish and bring our soldiers home from every area of the world.
Comment Written 16-Mar-2008
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2008
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Yes, I know they volunteer, although the National Guard troops were told "One weekend a month, two weekends a year." For my N.G. son, that turned into two years away from home of which sixteen months were deployed in Iraq. His unit broke the record for the longest deployment in the war so far.
I agree with you - we can't always hide our heads in the sand, but it still breaks my heart, all the same.
Thank you so much for the thoughtful review.
Jan
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It breaks my heart any blood has to be split. I pray each night our world could find a peace to end all the bloodshed. And I never want another life to be lost either.
