A year ago today I was visiting my mom in the hospital. She was recovering from surgery at Vanderbilt. Dad and my sister were there as well.

The news was hitting on the television that the UN weapons inspectors were pulling out, and Bush told us we were going in. I think that's the first time I truly realized how wars today work.

With the first year of occupation almost over, I'm reflecting this week on friends I know who will be put in harm's way to guard oil. I'm understanding how this critical resource will change the immediate future. I'm thinking about shiny chromed SUV's and the owners who will be paying an ever increasing premium on the fuel to drive them. And never forgetting that it has a blood price attached.