Kevin,

This is a hard post to read. I do not think anyone can look at the pictures and not be moved. War and conflict bring about terrible things. Just look at what happened in Iraq on March 31. On the other hand, what are we fighting for? Sometimes I think we have become too insulated to the way things sometimes work in some parts of the world. Conflict resolution strategies and talking out our differences do not work everywhere. Sometimes force is needed with all its horrible results. In the end though, you have to look at the long-term goals. We are fighting for Western laws and values. If we are talking about limbs, how many have we saved since we have stopped the Taliban in Afghanistan from cut off hands when they were following Sharia law? Even in your very post, we are fighting for a world where a Kurd can walk to into a Turkomen hospital and receive prompt service. Will this come about instantly? Maybe not, but we are on the right track. In the end, I will have to say that Omar's arm is one of the many horrible and painful casualties in the fight for a better world. Will this help drive away his nightmares at night? I do not know. Maybe. The thing I can hope for though is that his children will not have any.

Matt