Between casualties and money; there was a better use for them in Iraq

I think that the most dear cost of any military conflict is the loss of civilian life, meaning the loss of innocent people who had nothing to do with the conflict. I think the second greatest loss in this conflict is the loss of pertinence of the American Constitution, specifically with regard to due process for crimes perpetrated by the executive branch of our government and the collusion of the legislative branch in doing nothing about it.

Human life will always be the first reason not to take war lightly. Following that, the list of casualties would be: America’s good will in the world, a military stretched too thin, people in Iraq with electricity and water not up to pre-war standards, little education and too few hospitals.

This war has had adverse effects for the American economy and pulls much-needed funds for our schools, hospitals and other infrastructures. As bad as 4,000 dead soldiers is, that’s not even the whole story. More than 1,000 more men and women working for military contractors in Iraq have also died, although the Defense Department doesn’t like to mention them.

If you’re only concerned with U.S. casualties, the 4,000 dead news doesn’t consider the incredible number of wounded soldiers: 29,320 soldiers wounded in action and another 20,000 troops — who weren’t even counted as wounded but now have been found with signs of brain injuries, and yet another 120,000 vets from Iraq and Afghanistan using Veterans Administration care have potential mental health problems.

Nearly 4,000 American, and between 100,000 and 600,000 Iraqi lives later, the direct cost of the Iraq war is approaching $1 trillion and the total cost may well exceed $3 trillion. Of course, the 4,000 figure totally ignores the at least 80,000 Iraqi civilian deaths (estimates range as high as 600,000).

Bill Liddle

Schenectady

Pizza King the latest hit downtown

Downtown Schenectady has become a living metaphor for the phrase, “old can be new again!” Everyone should be justifiably proud of the changes and modernization of Proctor’s, the new Hampton Inn, the Movieland Cinema and the like.

There are, however, some small changes occurring that have moved downtown Schenectady ever so close to the tipping point of say, “Hey! This is really cool down here!”

The new location of the recently moved “Pizza King” restaurant is one of those points. Its new location is at the corner of Franklin and Jay streets — overlooking Schenectady City Hall. The interior is bright, clean and has a decidedly European look. The pizza is great, with a wide variety, either pie or slice, to enjoy on the premises or on the go. The new location, across the street from the “Open Door” bookstore, gives light to the idea of strolling down Jay Street from State Street to Little Italy, past historic City Hall.

The list of downtown eateries is growing, with Villa Italia, Aperitivo, Chez Daisie, Pizza King, Bangkok Thai, Pinhead Susan’s, Katie O’Byrne’s, Clinton’s Ditch, Perreca’s Civitello’s, Cornell’s and more. Let’s not overlook “Dinky Dogs” on South Avenue, just off “Little Italy,” which brings nano-technology to the culinary world, with its tiny hot dogs and the like.

Downtown Schenectady may not be ready yet to claim the title, “Paris of the Mohawk,” but it is inching close. If you have not been there in a while, come down, take a stroll around. You most likely will need the stroll — with all these great eateries!

Frederic Lee

Schenectady

The writer is president of Schenectady United Neighborhoods.