As the US economy crashes and Bush administration officials run for cover, the military protocol for informing families of dead sons and daughters seems to have lost some of its sensitivity.
In better times, a personal visit to the home with a well prepared team of bereavement experts on hand to share the delicate details of exploded limbs and unfortunately busted guts was the Army way.
Recently tough economic times and apathetic Bush appointees in flight have resorted to a form letter, which reads:
- To Whom It May Concern,
A certain individual who will remain nameless because specific names cost more has been blasted to hell in the war in (insert Afghanistan or Iraq or any other of America's multiple armed conflicts). We have reason to believe that said corpse may be somehow associated with your kith or kin or in some way may owe you money. Any way s/he is dead, gone to s/he's heavenly reward. singing in the choir triumphant...s/he is an ex- GI.
So sorry,
Uncle Sam
PS In this condition Uncle Sam Doesn't want him/her any more
