I agree with this pointed opinion piece by Molly Ivins on CNN.com: It’s up to us to stop this war

… let’s keep in mind that when the Army arrived in Baghdad, we, the television viewers, watched footage of a bunch of enraged and joyous Iraqis pulling down the statue of Saddam Hussein, their repulsive dictator, in Firdos Square. Only one thing was wrong. The event was staged. Taking down the statue was instigated by a Marine colonel, and a PSYOP (psychological operations) unit made it appear to be a spontaneous show of Iraqi joy.

Like her, I feel shame as I acknowledge the actions of this down-trending empire:

What happened to the nation that never tortured? The nation that wasn’t supposed to start wars of choice? The nation that respected human rights and life? A nation that from the beginning was against tyranny? Where have we gone? How did we let these people take us there? How did we let them fool us?

I hope that if you feel the weight of this on your shoulders too, you’ll write to your representatives and let your will be known. In Ivins’ words, “it’s up to you and me, Bubba.”