Remembering the dead

Here's a map showing the Iraqi police and civilian deaths during the war (as well as US and foreign troops). The numbers are pretty staggering. What's even more amazing is when you read the article about this on BBC and see that these numbers are disputed; they are thought by many to be way too low. Many believe at least 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died through poor planning and other sloppy war acts.

I'm not saying anything other than... here's a reminder of real lives that have ended and real families broken apart. I am glad the Iraqis can vote now but at this expense? Ten 'September 11ths' ? Even if it's worth it (though I do think it's a little pretentious of us to determine Iraqi lives are worth the cause without asking...), even if it's worth it, it hasn't been handled carefully or compassionately. I just really, really want a better leader.