Accidental Fatalities

(From Milo's Uncomfort Zone Files)

I realize, this subject might be a bit uncomfortable for some sentimental, traditions loving folks, but I can assure you, the following comments are not written with an intent to disrespect anyone's beliefs or to deride anyone's feelings.

It is always heartbreaking to follow the news about another Canadian soldier coming back home from his or her deployment in a flag-wrapped metal casket. And I for one readily endorse, those fallen soldiers deserve to be honored a remembered. However, no matter how I look at it, I can't find a striking difference between these and any other workplace fatality. After all, is anyone really buying into the notion, those young people are joining the army for the love of their country? At least not in this day and age, when for majority of them the enlisting is strictly a career choice. For some, its a solid opportunity to receive a quality education, and for others to get a well financially compensated job with great benefits and a generous pension plan. So, lets face it - in a case of becoming the unfortunate war (or a peacekeeping mission, as we like to call it) casualty, they don't die for their country, but rather for their paycheck.

Now, now, I can see you shaking your head and calling me an insensitive prick, but before you crucify me, ask yourself a question: Is a death of a military member more regrettable then the one of a truck driver, miner or a construction worker? Did you know, that over 1000 Canadian workers die every year as a direct result of a workplace accident? That's four people every working day! Just how many of them have received an ostentatious state funeral and their mourning families personal condolences from the PM? And - have you ever seen a profile of killed industrial worker running on the national prime time television newscast? Or his or her picture published on the front page of your daily newspaper? Me neither.

If you're still mad at me for not giving any preferences when it comes to these sad affairs, please, answer me this: How would you convince the killed logger's widow, her husband's life was not as equally important as the one of a soldier who died the same day on his job somewhere in a faraway land? I'd really like to hear that argument.

Milo.