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There are now 2,500 dead Americans in Iraq and the vast majority of legislators and the President still don’t get it!  As the death toll for US service personnel in Iraq reached 2,500, White House press secretary Tony Snow’s reaction was: “It's a number.”

So these are not the sons, daughters, husbands, wives, brothers, and sisters of us all?  They’re just “numbers”?  Fine, then let me put it this way: We know for a fact that these “numbers” died in a war that was unnecessary, illegal, and immoral.  Yet, our representatives in Congress refuse to do anything to end this madness, and the President and his yes-men insult our intelligence with nonsensical justifications for the continued bloodshed.

The Pentagon recently distributed a 74-page "debate prep book" filled with ready-made responses for criticism of the war.  It reads at one point: “We cannot cut and run.”  Not surprisingly, Republicans and the President are defending the war with this silly slogan.  Since we cannot “cut and run,” I guess this means we’ll just stay and keep dying.

And for what?  So that our leaders can spout silly slogans from the safety of their protected offices?  The few courageous members of Congress who rightly stand against the war are being attacked.  For example, House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) said: “When our freedom is challenged, Americans do not run.”  Did Iraq challenge our freedom?  Hello?

Rep. Charles Norwood (R-Georgia) said: “Many, not all, on the other side of the aisle lack the will to win.”  Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tennessee) suggested that if the US withdraws from Iraq: “I am absolutely convinced the terrorists would see this as vindication.”  President Bush said withdrawal from Iraq is “bad policy … I know it may sound good politically.  It will endanger our country to pull out of Iraq before we accomplish the mission.”

Are these guys serious?  Our only problem is that we want to run and we don’t have the will to win?  Terrorists don’t already see Iraq as vindication?  Being in Iraq does not endanger our country?  Wow!

It is very sad to me that none of these individuals has bothered to look at the evidence about Iraq.  Iraq is less safe now than ever and is already a breeding ground for terrorists.  Acts of worldwide terrorism have increased since our invasion and Iraq leads the world in terrorism attacks.  So, all the American “numbers” died for what?

The Iraq war is not part of the war on terror.  It is a distraction and diversion from it.  Bring our “numbers” home.