Sat June 2, 2007

War isn't back-page event

By Col. Katherine Scheirman, USAF (Ret.)

When I retired from the Air Force in 2006 and moved back to Oklahoma from Germany, I was shocked to see how little attention most civilians pay to the war in Iraq. Like other retired military officers, such as Maj. Gens. Paul Eaton and John Batiste, I believe I have a duty to tell the truth about this war. I know firsthand some of the war's horrible costs, which remain largely hidden from the American people.

One example: I met with Rep. Mary Fallin on Feb. 22 to discuss President Bush's plan for the military escalation ("surge”) in Iraq. During that meeting, I asked about projections for the numbers of additional casualties expected from Mr. Bush's plan. She told me she had heard nothing about casualty estimates. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice had likewise testified to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in January that there were no casualty projections.

As a military physician for 20 years, I know that door-to-door urban combat historically causes high numbers of casualties, and casualty estimates are required to plan military medical support. Fallin promised to look into it and get back to me. In spite of a follow-up email to her chief of staff, I have yet to receive a reply. Unfortunately, the facts on the ground confirmed my fears. April and May, with 104 and 117 American troops killed, have proved to be the deadliest two-month period since the war began.

If President Bush is allowed to continue his war for the 19 months he has left in office, more than 1,900 more Americans may die in Iraq. Bush designed his "surge” to give the Iraqis the opportunity to settle their differences politically. While American soldiers and Marines are dying, the Iraqi government has accomplished nothing (except to schedule a two-month summer vacation). When Bush demanded another blank check from Congress this month, Oklahoma's congressional delegation (except for Sen. Tom Coburn) voted to give it to him.

Why do we, the American people, allow this to continue? Some of the blame goes to the media, which focuses our attention on trivia, while relegating the Iraq war to the back pages. Limited television exposure is a major factor. Can you imagine the outrage if World War II coverage had been so meager?

We must demand better from our media and our politicians. We need to let our congressional representatives know that we, the voters, will hold them accountable for the deaths resulting from failure to end this occupation. We should support only presidential candidates who pledge to end this misguided occupation and bring our brave troops home from a war that has strengthened al-Qaida, Iran and Syria, while severely undermining our own national security.

Scheirman retired in October after a 20-year career in the Air Force. She lives in Edmond.