THE WAY OUT? Do we ever find a clear way to truly “leave” a place such as Iraq?
I rather doubt that it can be done if our original commitment was honest and sincere in doing what we might to help the people therein. One does not simply revoke such a pledge.
Now, with the total of Americans dead in Iraq now at the eighteen hundred with the promise of more casualties we can expect more agitation to “Bring the boys home.” it is a phase which is common to all such conflicts and it has held off a bit longer than usual due to the nature of the actual conflict without established “fronts”. Americans are not .as yet, used to the concept which has been very real for us ever since 9-11.
We seem to be at the stage right now when certain people who have been generally supportive of our war effort, having suffered personal loss, are changing their attitudes. The middle-aged lady who was pictured standing in the hot streets of Crawford, Texas yesterday pleading tearfully for a talk with President George W. Bush to demand that all troops be brought home. The caption did not say that she has already met with him once this past week. She like,
many others, has never quite grasp the idea that we are, and have been at war, with an enemy of no mean consequence who can do us real harm. Grandstanding exhibits such as this one are common and they usually do well in the media area but, on the whole, they harm the “dialog” said to be taking nation idea. Far too often the so-called “dialogs” are more akin to talk-a-thons by narrow-minded interests intent on personal advantages.
We are in this conflict to win. We have not become so engaged just to make points with friends or simply to pester often obscure opposition forces. The nature of the war itself dictates strict attention to detail which area which are far removed from usual classifications.
There are no quick, easy ways to get out of Iraq. Please-everyone ways do not exist and “protectors” who march in opposition are subversive in a fundamental sense. We elect leaders and, in so doing, promise to support them as they make decision on our behalf. You can't have it both ways.
A.L.M. August 1, 2005 [c405wds]
