It bothers me that the term "hero" is so flagrantly misused/abused in our militarized culture. I am sorry, but those who come home from Iraq in coffins, or - perhaps worse - with arms or legs shot off, or with shattered minds and sickened spirits -- they are not heroes. No, Gentle reader, let us call things as they really are: these people are victims, innocent cannon fodder offered up to a misguided and murderous crusade.

The first requirement for heroism is a noble cause. So, yes, heroism is to be found there -- the love of one friend giving up his/her life for another; or the heroism of those who act with honor and compassion in the face of pressure to behave with thugish hatred; or the heroism of those in service who dare speak truth to power.

But the correct, appropriate, and radically mind-changing word to describe most of our Iraq dead and wounded is 'victim.' Does this not throw the burden of responsibility, accountability, and -- dare we suggest it -- conscience and morality back where these burdens belong, upon the victimizers? The policymakers? The deciders?

Frankly, they -- and we -- deserve to ponder those burdens rather than mindlessly basking in the reflected glow of our military "heroes."