"' As we look to the future, one issue risks a cycle of conflict that could derail so much progress. And that is the cancer of violent extremism that has ravaged so many parts of the Muslim world.'

The cancer of violent extremism . . .

I listen to the president's words and stare into the void. All I can think about is white phosphorous and burn pits and the horrific, DNA-wrecking genotoxins of war. All I can think about is depleted uranium -- DU -- the dense, super-hard metal used in some U.S. missiles and shells that explodes on impact into an extraordinarily fine, radioactive dust. Turns out "cancer" isn't merely a stern, nation-rallying metaphor for our enemy of the moment. The stew of toxins we've inflicted on Iraq over the last couple decades have caused a horrifying upward spiral of actual cancer, birth defects and neurological diseases in that country.

The cancer of violent extremism is U.S. foreign policy and its addiction to war. ..."

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