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Of course, the mainstream news networks, especially CNN and Fox, have their priorities, and the death of a Polish religious leader is far more important than 18 deaths, or even 1,536 deaths of US men and women, so they did not interrupt their continuous "mass" at the Vatican to mention the bloody mess in Iraq.
I was outraged. Clicking frantically from station to station, muttering under my breath, tears running down my cheeks, shaking my fist at the television... Adam, my grandson, was sitting at the other computer. He watched me in silence for a few minutes, then asked, "Are you crying because that pope died?"
I babbled, "No, I'm crying because 18 American soldiers were possibly killed, and all the media can think of is how great the Pope is..."
"Hmmm," Adam, who is always practical, said, "Eighteen out of how many?"
"It doesn't matter how many!" I screeched. "Even ONE is too many! It could be Jackie, Justin, Jaymie -- even you and Aaron -- because by the time this mess is over you'll be old enough to be drafted! Don't you understand?" I gasped, forgetting for a moment that I was yelling at an 11-year-old -- "If we don't get that monster out of there, it WILL be you! And I don't intend to let that happen --"
"There...t-h-e-r-r-r-r-r-e," Adam said soothingly, "Don't be upset, dear Nanny. Just calm down...Everything's going to be all right...."
And, like all good little Republicans, he turned back to the computer and continued surfing Yugeoh, where monsters lurk behind every corner -- but the good guy always wins.
So, totally "Poped," I clicked onto Hoyle and started playing poker. But I couldn't help wishing that Adam's sister, Sarah, was here. Only 9, but a natural-born Democrat and an awesome Bush-hater, Sarah would know what to do.
(Note: The number of US casualties went from 18 to 20, and is now at 44. See http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/040305z.shtml
