Life and death

Today I went to a funeral. Not the most uplifting event, but in a way, it kind of was. A funeral is really the celebration of a life. The life that was celebrated today was a great, old life. It was a life that cared for his family and made and impression on anyone that it touched. It was a caring life, a loving life, a happy life. A life that survived a few years of WWII in the Pacific, a life that met its life partner 59 years ago. A life that produced 3 successful sons, 3 successful grandchildren, and 3 successful businesses. I am glad that this life was able to be a part of my life, if only on the outskirts and through stories. Knowing how much this life meant to its family, is enough to know how important it was. The eulogies given were heartfelt and meaningful, the song that was performed was beyond compare and the day was beautiful. You could tell that this life was proud to be celebrated. Thank you Mr. A. for having a wonderful life.



sidenote - going to a funeral during Easter made me realize I really don't want to die during Lent - you can't say Alleluia.

5th Anniversary

Today is the 5th anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq. Can you believe it has been 5 years? It has been such a waste of everything. Some quick stats (as of March 9, 2008, from the Brookings Institution's Iraq Index)

3,979 US Soldiers Killed

29,320 Seriously Wounded

Troops in Iraq - Total 164,895, including 155,000 from the US, 4,500 from the UK, 2,000 from Georgia, 900 from Poland, 650 from South Korea and 1,845 from all other nations

US Troop Casualities - 3,979 US troops (more than the number of civilians-2,974-killed on 9/11/01); 98% male. 90% non-officers; 80% active duty, 12% National Guard; 74% Caucasian, 10% African-American, 11% Latino. 18% killed by non-hostile causes. 51% of US casualties were under 25 years old. 70% were from the US Army

Non-US Troop Casualties - Total 308, with 175 from the UK

US Troops Wounded - 29,320, 20% of which are serious brain or spinal injuries (total excludes psychological injuries)

US Troops with Serious Mental Health Problems - 30% of US troops develop serious mental health problems within 3 to 4 months of returning home

US Military Helicopters Downed in Iraq - 68 total, at least 36 by enemy fire

Spent & Approved War-Spending - About $600 billion of US taxpayers' funds. President Bush has requested another $200 billion for 2008, which would bring the cumulative total to close to $800 billion.

U.S. Monthly Spending in Iraq - $12 billion in 2008

Cost of deploying one U.S. soldier for one year in Iraq - $390,000 (Congressional Research Service)

Lost & Unaccounted for in Iraq - $9 billion of US taxpayers' money and $549.7 million in spare parts shipped in 2004 to US contractors. Also, per ABC News, 190,000 guns, including 110,000 AK-47 rifles.

Missing - $1 billion in tractor trailers, tank recovery vehicles, machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and other equipment and services provided to the Iraqi security forces. (Per CBS News on Dec 6, 2007.)

Mismanaged & Wasted in Iraq - $10 billion, per Feb 2007 Congressional hearings

Halliburton Overcharges Classified by the Pentagon as Unreasonable and Unsupported - $1.4 billion

Amount paid to KBR, a former Halliburton division, to supply U.S. military in Iraq with food, fuel, housing and other items - $20 billion

Portion of the $20 billion paid to KBR that Pentagon auditors deem "questionable or supportable" - $3.2 billion

Private Contractors in Iraq, Working in Support of US Army Troops - More than 180,000 in August 2007, per The Nation/LA Times.

Journalists killed - 127 - 84 by murder and 43 by acts of war

Journalists killed by US Forces - 14

Iraqi Police and Soldiers Killed - 7,951

Iraqi Civilians Killed, Estimated - A UN issued report dated Sept 20, 2006 stating that Iraqi civilian casualties have been significantly under-reported. Casualties are reported at 50,000 to over 100,000, but may be much higher. Some informed estimates place Iraqi civilian casualties at over 600,000.

Iraqi Insurgents Killed, Roughly Estimated - 55,000

Non-Iraqi Contractors and Civilian Workers Killed - 548

Non-Iraqi Kidnapped - 305, including 54 killed, 147 released, 4 escaped, 6 rescued and 94 status unknown.

Daily Insurgent Attacks, Feb 2004 - 14

Daily Insurgent Attacks, July 2005 - 70

Daily Insurgent Attacks, May 2007 - 163

Estimated Insurgency Strength, Nov 2003 - 15,000

Estimated Insurgency Strength, Oct 2006 - 20,000 - 30,000

Estimated Insurgency Strength, June 2007 - 70,000

To all of our loved ones who were there, are there, and are about to go there: thank you for doing your part and thank you for coming home safe. I support you with my whole heart even if I do not support this stupid war.

Station Fire

Today is the fifth anniversary of one of the worst fires in RI history. Great White, a hair band from the late 80s, was playing. During their performance pyrotechnics were set off setting the noise-insulating foam, which covered entire ceiling of the club, on fire. 100 people died including the band's guitarist and a late-night DJ from one of the local radio stations. It was a huge tragedy. In addition to those who perished, many people were significantly burned, physiologically and emotionally. Luckily, I didn't know anyone who was a victim, but one of my co-workers at the time had 2 buddies who never made it out. Two people went to jail - the manager of the band, who set off the pyro, and one of the club owners for not providing the correct insulation.

Every year the ProJo notes this significant, sad day in RI history and I am always amazed reading the survivor stories. These stories really prove the strength of humanity.

RIP Heath Ledger

A few weeks ago, a promising, young actor passed away. I obviously did not know Heath Ledger, but I admired his work, from 10 Things I Hate About You to Brokeback Mountain. It was truly sad to learn about his death which brought to light that even famous celebrities are subject to stress and anxiety. I feel like sometime we (non-famous people) tend to think that because someone has a zillion dollars, they are superhuman. The coroner's report has finally comeback with a ruling of an accidental lethal mixture of prescription drugs in Ledger's system. I truly feel for his family, especially his young daughter. I hope they will all find some comfort in the fact that Ledger was able to bring joy to the many people who watched him on the big screen.

Good Dog, Happy Dog

A black and white ball of energy
Who loved the outdoors and his family.
He had a great appetite
and would never bite.
Playing in the snow
he ran to and fro.
With an extra-long tongue
he'd chase the frisbee far flung.
He was very well loved
and got lots of pats and rubs.
In the greener grass you now play
and we are dismayed
Because now you are far from us
and we will have to adjust
To being apart
while keeping you close in our hearts.


We all loved Bailey!

A greater loss

My friend Mike's last living grandparent passed away last week. Pa was a wonderful person. Even though I only met him once briefly, he was an extremely kind and gentle man. I have heard so many stories about him that I wish I had known him better. His family gave him a beautiful send-off. He will be missed by all.

Loss

One of my best friend's dad passed away a little while ago. He had been sick for a while but it's still hard when the end comes. There was a very nice service and a loving eulogy was read. Despite the bitter wind, it was a sunny day. I just wanted to say we all love you and are here for you whenever you need us.

Big Disaster

I feel the need to post about this since my friend Scott is on hiatus for a few weeks. As those of you from New England know, there was this HUGE tunnel project in Boston officially named the Central Artery/Tunnel project, affectionately known as The Big Dig. It has been leaking since before it was finished. It has leaked dirt and water which have caused minor damage to cars. It's lastest problem - tons of concrete falling from the ceiling of the tunnel - took a life. The tunnel has caused more problems than the billions - that's right - Billions of dollars it cost and Years of time it took. Traffic is not much better, it is still a nightmare to drive through the city and it's unsafe. Now that this happened, even less people will use the broken tunnels and will cause even MORE traffic in the city. Who knows what will happen next?

Ode to Mystery

With fur as soft as silk
and a gentle purr when you wanted some milk,
You always brought cheer
to everyone you were near.
A comforting cuddle,
or playing in a puddle,
you always brought a smile
and were never vile.
Sometimes you got sick,
but we cleaned it up quick,
and although you didn't have a strong brain,
we loved you just the same.
You will certainly be missed,
you brought us such bliss.
Now you will be with Sunset
and others you have never met,
to play with your friends in the sky
as we say bye-bye.