ENDS JUSTIFIES THE MEANS???

Normally I'm thrilled when the 4th approaches, for various reasons. One (but not most important) it's my birthday, 2nd I would think of how lucky I was to live in a country that was free. Well this year I'm not so thrilled. I read news of how 4 soldiers decide they have the right to rape and murder a young woman, not only that, they kill her family as she was forced to do nothing, awaiting death herself. Then I continue to read and the story goes on to say how two other soldiers in the same platoon were killed by insurgents. This got me wondering were these really 'insurgents ' or was it a case of self-imposed justice? I mean let's think about this just for a minute. What would most do if their family had suffered such horrific treatment and death? If someone killed your brother and his family (including a small helpless child of 5) raped your niece then murdered her? Then place yourself in a place that is overrun with 'outsiders' that seem untouchable by any law you know.

Would you just sit quietly by or would you be enraged enough to want justice in any manner you could?

So this got me to thinking even deeper about the 'insurgents' and who and what exactly is this admin calling such. I mean every time a solider is killed in the war is there no investigation into a reason that might exist why they were singled out? Now don't get me wrong I am not saying that every death is excusable, but should not compassion be extended?

Iraqis are people just like everyone else in this world, they are not less nor more than the rest of us. Yet it seems that many think of Iraqis as less than, that it is acceptable they are being killed by the thousands, that it is ok they are without running water and the basic necessities of life. I'm reminded of two different times in history this way of thought was rampant (not saying there hasn't been other times). One time in history that comes to me is slavery in the states, how people justified their actions by telling themselves that the slaves were less than human the other time that comes to mind is Hitler and his regime. How people then also convinced themselves what they were doing was ok that those the Nazis were enslaving, torturing, and murdering were less than human.

In both of these instances history proved it was wrong and it was a scar on humanity till the end of time. Why do some people never learn? Aren't we as the human race to learn and try to make the world a better place for us all and not just a selected few?

How can I with any good conscience enjoy or take pride this 4th of July? I am stunned by what I see so many say "Well what if Bush lied" or "the ends justifies the means". Damn it, the ends do NOT justify the means, and it is a BIG deal Bush lied, a HUGE deal!! Isn't it time for people to quit dehumanizing other human beings just to salve their own souls. Isn't it time for people to start saying I am not going to be a part of this horrific crime on humanity?

I want to know what number of deaths will be enough to wake people up. Do you know?