I guess it depends what your definition of controversial is. The ad, which you can watch above, shows a woman and her baby. She talks to the camera, and tells McCain he can’t have her baby for his 100-year war in Iraq.

It certainly makes one feel uncomfortable. Which war always does when broken down in human terms as opposed to just statistics. So does it make me uncomfortable, absolutely. But isn’t that the point?

Josef Stalin once said that one death is a tragedy; one million is a statistic. Sadly, this bloodthirsty tyrant was correct. Moveon is taking the war to a personal place, beyond statistics. If we could do that with war, children’s healthcare and a variety of other issues, our compassion might win out over those who speak in generic terms about economics or war.

A final note. It reminds me of Vincent Bugliosi’s new book, which also looks at the carnage in Iraq: The Prosecution Of George W. Bush For Murder. We’re not used to talking about presidents in those terms, so it makes you uncomfortable.

But maybe being  a bit uncomfortable is what is needed to end a war that is a tragedy on so many levels. Because, when I see this ad and think of John McCain’s plans for Iraq, all I can do is look at my 20-month old little boy, and think similar thoughts.