War policy continues to weigh on morality

An overall review of the U.S. war policy in Afghanistan is/was scheduled for this month. The “was” means that the decision about the war has already been made; namely, it will go on until at least the end of 2014.

So the review will say that our policy is going so well that we must continue it for another four years, while at the same time, it is going so poorly that we must continue it for another four years, or more. So we will continue to spend $117 billion per year on the war, ignoring its deleterious effect on the deficit and on the country's moral standing.

It is encouraging, though, that the president's deficit commission ignores the calculus of unending wars and says we can solve our deficit problem by reducing taxes (especially on the wealthy) and cutting Medicare. I encourage a rereading of “Alice in Wonderland.” Or, better yet, join voices with Veterans for Peace and others in calling for more sane, humane policies.

Ed Flaherty

Iowa City