The war in Iraq has lasted longer than World War I and World War II. The cost is beyond comprehension. The dollar figure alone is unfathomable, but what about the cost in lives? Lives lost, destroyed by disabilities, families ripped apart, civilians in Iraq…what about them?

What about the cost to our society, because we lack the resources to address serious social and economic crises growing here at home. Roads and bridges are ready to fall into rivers and streams; our cities are waiting for the black day when they’re paralyzed because a key route has been rendered impassable, taking months or years to rebuild.

What about the cost of the nation’s deteriorating world image? We’re supposed to set the example, be the leader. How can we hold our heads up when we continue this war, based on lies and mistruths, and refuse to acknowledge the facts, five years later?

This war is being force-fed to the American public, Congress and a few staunch allies. It has been an endless parade of empty promises, always begging for another six months for success. How many times must we endure the administration mantra, “Give me six more months?” It’s up to us to stop it before it becomes six more years!

I am proud of our military forces. I have family and friends serving in Iraq and around the world.

But we are not doing them justice by insisting they carry the banner of a failed strategy.

Steven Mancine, Livermore