Condi Rice's Personal Price in the War in Iraq / War on Terrorism

Senator Barbara Boxer is one of 100 Senators who is supposed to be taking the country's best interest at hand, or at the least, the best interest of her state. This is supposed to include the War on Terrorism and the War on Iraq. But no, unfortunately, the Democrats, who are now in control of Congress (along with a 'select' group of republicans), are going to do what it takes to ensure that Iraq is a failure, right to the point of questioning the Bush Administration on their right to even make decisions concerning this war (other than the decision to withdraw.) Take the now famous Boxer comment to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice:

"Who pays the price?" Boxer (D-Calif.) asked Rice, who is unmarried and has no children. "I'm not going to pay a personal price. My kids are too old, and my grandchild is too young. You're not going to pay a particular price, as I understand it, with immediate family. So who pays the price? The American military and their families." - Washington Post

I thought that one of the great aspects of the US Military is that it is controlled by a civilian, not self-controlled by the military. It does seem that Senator Boxer wishes to put additional requirements on who decides foreign policy, especially policy that might lead to the use of military force.

Secondly, I thought we had a volunteer military. Of course, some Democrats have suggested reinstating a draft, but damn, that still would not punish Secretary Rice who managed to outsmart the Democrats by not having any children.

Finally, Senator Boxer's comment completely disregards the Secretary of State's own personal 'stake' in all of this.

Take a look at this picture. Sure, you can recognize Ms. Rice. But who are these other fellows?

Secretary of State's Protective Detail - The Secretary of State's Protective Detail provides security for the Secretary of State seven days a week, 24 hours a day, everywhere she travels in the world. The detail works closely with other offices in the Department of State, and other federal, state, local, and foreign security and law enforcement organizations to ensure that the Secretary of State is able to carry out American foreign policy safely and securely. - US State Department

The people with Ms. Rice are charged with protecting her. They are protecting her because she is a terror target. She does not have to travel to Iraq, Israel, or wherever, to be in danger. She is a target wherever she goes. At least members of our military can get rotated out of Iraq and be removed from danger. This is not an option for Ms. Rice. So instead of putting (her) child at risk she is taking the risk herself. Then again, if she did have children, the mere fact of holding the position she has would put her family in danger. That is why the President's children have Secret Service protection.

Ms. Rice is also somewhat responsible for those who protect her, first and foremost as their boss. While they are protecting the country, and the position she holds, they are protecting her and in doing so, they are risking their own lives. This goes for all who work in the State Department, both at home and overseas. The entire Department received a reminder earlier this month when some terrorist fired a rocket propelled grenade into the US Embassy in Greece.

And concerning lives, Congress really has no perspective concerning the lives lost in Iraq. While each one is a tragedy, especially to their family, there have been relatively few US lives lost, taking and holding Iraq over the last three years. One common statistic points out that thousands die in car accidents every year. In fact, a US Navy sailor is more likely to die in a car accident back home than in Iraq.

Here are the facts based on statistics for a recent year presented by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): 42,116 total fatalities involved 57,480 drivers, of which 7,400 were known to have had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit. Thus, 12.87% (or 7,400) of the drivers involved in fatal crashes were legally intoxicated. Therefore, drunk drivers were associated with about 5,422 traffic fatalities. - Drunk Driving deaths

Where is Congress in this issue? More people were killed by drunk drivers in the US in one year than in three years in Iraq? More to the fact, Congress and those against the Iraq War seem to think that 3,000 lives would not have ended had we not invaded Iraq. This way of thinking completely dismisses the possibility that actions in Iraq and Afghanistan have actually saved lives. Too bad Congress is only interested in counting lives 'lost' and public opinion.

See the rest at Day by Day Cartoon.

As for Senator Boxer's children, maybe they are too old now to join the army but at some point they certainly were not. Were they too old for the first Gulf War? Were they too old for Somalia? How about Bosnia? So, did any of her children join any of the Services when they were of recruiting age? If not, then why should we believe that they would now, provided that they were not too old. Personally, I do not think they have the responsibility to do so, that is why we have a volunteer military. So they should not be forced to enlist, even if their parent is a member of Congress.

-