When will the Iraq tragedy ever end? I've got to say the death of Virginia "Christian Peacemaker" Tom Fox, a 54-year-old resident of Clear Brook, Virginia, really hurts. Fox, a Quaker committed to non-violence, opposed the invasion of Iraq and courageously went to that country to work for peace. How horribly ironic, then, that this Christian Peacemaker was murdered - "shot in the head with his body showing signs of torture," according to CNN - by a group of thugs known as the "Swords of Righteousness." Righteousness? Murdering people who opposed the invasion of their country and came their to help? I've got to say, this must push the Quakers' peace and forgiveness ideals to their limit. But I've got to hand it to them, they seem to be following just that path. Extremely admirable.
My condolences to Tom Fox's family and friends, including Raising Kaine's own Sam Penney. Yes, this particular tragedy in Iraq hits disconcertingly and tragically close to home.