Time to design the Iraq War Memorial! Some ideas...

[tomreedtoon]

First, since no one would ever really build this, it should be built virtually. If they can do things like "City of Heroes" with 3-D environments you can walk around in, this memorial could be built as a web site.

Second, the Names of the Fallen. There should be a maze of "virtual walls" with names. When you click on one of the names, you not only get the name of the soldier who died, but his or her picture and the number of spouses, children and dependents left behind at the person's death.

Third, the Tribute Monument. In the center of this virtual maze, there should be a gigantic monument to the people whose war this was. In the center, George W. Bush in his padded flight suit, flanked by Cheyney (with a gigantic mechanical pacemamker next to him) and Rumsfeld (carrying a briefcase full of cash). On her knees before them (although facing forward) would be Condoleeza Rice in Armani suit and spike heels. These figures would be raised on a platform, which is supported by broken, devastated and badly built military equipment. There would be Humvees with holes blown in the side, broken rifles and empty cases marked "No Body Armor."

Fourth, the Muses. Surrounding the Tribute Monument would be statues on small pedestals honoring the people who helped publicize the war. Rush Limbaugh would be first, with Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity flanking him. (You can undoubtedly think of others.) By virtually "pushing a button," you can read their history and hear an audio clip of the lies they used to support the war.

I'd like to add another element - the Democrats who supported the war, either deliberately (like Lieberman) or through incompetence (like Kerry...okay, you can flame me if you want, but his ineffectual campaign assured more war). All of them would be in chains with little coffins intertwined in them, like Marley.

[dbt]

1. Brilliant.

But, given the past performance of the regime, we would be told that there was a memorial--and where it supposedly was located. There would really be nothing there, but Real, Gawd-Fearin', Patriotic Murkins would swear that they saw it. The rest of us would be told that anybody who could not see it is a Gawdless Commie Prevert or Pagan Homasexyul.

And we would all live happily ever after...

[tomreedtoon]

2. No, you don't understand.

I'm saying that Bush would never build a memorial. Too much money spent on troops he didn't have the time or money to care about when they were alive.

I'm saying that WE build this memorial, on the Internet, using game technology. I used the example of "City of Heroes" as an example of what could be done graphically. I can leap tall buildings, rendered in 3-D detail, in the fictional Paragon City - and I can do it as a hot chick in a suit coat with bikini bottom. I can zoom in on details in the city, click on items to do things and even hear sound effects.

A virtual memorial, which anyone could visit on the Web, would be cheap enough that DU'ers could finance it with a collection. It might be tricky to get the information from the families of the martyred, and pictures as well, for the virtual Wall I mentioned...but I'm sure it would be possible once a few were listed.

With enough good technology, we might even take that center display of Bush and Company standing on all those wrecked Humvees and helicopters - and have him, Cheyney, Rice and the rest bathing in "eternal flames."

This ain't no cheap Flash cartoon, kids. This would be a genuine virtual reality masterpiece. And I bet there are people here who would have the knowledge to do it.

[dbt]

3. Oops, insufficient coffee!

Still a brilliant idea--and the irony of it is delicious!