Quote(s) of the Day: Memorial Day Edition

Quote #1 (from Andrew Bacevich, long-time opponent of the war, whose son --a soldier-- died in Iraq two weeks ago)-

"Memorial Day orators will say that a G.I.'s life is priceless. Don't believe it. I know what value the U.S. government assigns to a soldier's life: I've been handed the check. It's roughly what the Yankees will pay Roger Clemens per inning once he starts pitching next month."

Quote #2 (from Matthew Yglesias, associate editor/blogger of The Atlantic)-

It certainly strikes me as likely, though not inevitable, that after we leave Iraq there will be an increase in the level of violence. So should we stay? No. On Memorial Day Weekend 2006 it was true that if we left Iraq there would likely be an increase in the level of violence. Memorial Day Weekend 2005? Same deal. 2004? Same. 2003? Same.

Trend lines matter. We've been in Iraq a long time now, and our presence keeps not improving the situation. The fact that the actual leaving may well be difficult is no reason to simply prolong the need to leave.

I don't mean to be a downer, I know it's a holiday. But it's a somber one. It's supposed to be.