Tony Snow, White House Press Secretary, says 2500 soldiers killed in Iraq is "just a number." If these brave men and women are "just a number" to this administration, what would compel them to stop the bloodshed?

My friends, NONE of these men and women are "just a number." That is so offensive to me that words are simply inadequate to describe it. And the number of Iraqis killed, some estimates are well over the 100,000 mark, are not "just a number." These are valued human beings. They are husbands, sons and fathers--wives, daughters and mothers.

These men and women, both American and Iraqi, will be emotionally and physically scarred for the rest of their lives. My partner was in Iraq. I see the scars every single day. And for our gay and lesbian soldiers, those scars run even deeper because of our government and nation's lack of gratitude for their selfless service.

No, they are not "just a number." I encourage you to contact your congressional representatives. Call the White House switchboard. Register your disgust of Tony Snow's description of the 2500 (and counting) brave soldiers who have given their lives for such an ego-driven cause.

They should be ashamed of themselves!

CLG-B