Blood for the dead?

It occurred to me as I sped my way back from Texas on Wednesday that the Red Cross wanted a lot of blood. Every radio station in every town along the way was having blood and money drives. People could come out, donate blood and money, wave the flag, and show their patriotism. What struck me as unusual was that they were having a blood drive when most of the victims were dead. I began to wonder whom this blood was really intended for...and then, with the announcement from Bush of imminent war, it became crystal clear: the blood would be for the soldiers in the war.

It is my understanding that VERY FEW people who were outside lived through the clouds of particulate matter, smoke and fire that cascaded down upon the area (the lone exception being emergency personnel with respirators.) I make mention of this for two reasons: 1) the number of dead has been greatly underreported, and 2) the dead do not need blood.

I feel sorrow for all of the victims, their families and friends who were impacted by this tragedy. However, their grief should not be compounded by the blood of more innocent people. NO WAR FOR BLOOD, NO BLOOD FOR WAR!