Thoughts about the War
Category: War on Terror...
Posted Thursday, March 23, 2006 at 01:29 PM [GMT-6]

It's been a while since I've written anything about Operation Iraqi Freedom, now in its fourth year. After SSG. Will returned safely from that theater, we breathed a sigh of relief and focused on other things -- mostly more trivial things -- blog-wise.

When we marked the third anniversary of the invasion, I thought I should post something in observance of that arbitrary milestone, but I didn't know what to say. I didn't have any new insights to share or advice to offer, and I still don't.

But, the more I think about it and the more I see and hear reports about the "growing disenchantment" of Americans with the war, the more I realize that it's important and maybe even critical that those of us who continue to support our country's goals, strategies and tactics need to say so. Even if the voice is so infinitesimal as to be lost in the noise, there's value and, eventually, power in the combination of those voices.

So, with that in mind, I simply want to go on record with the following:

• I continue to stand behind President Bush and others in positions of governmental authority with respect to the decision to invade Iraq, remove Saddam Hussein, and attempt to provide an environment in which democracy can gain a foothold.


• I absolutely reject the idea that US troops should be pulled out of Iraq simply because the war is "too hard" or "too long" or "politically uncomfortable."


• I continue to consider the men and women who volunteer to serve their country as part of the US military to be patriots and heros, committed to a cause greater than themselves. I'm proud of them and I continue to pray for them and their families daily.

I don't expect everyone who reads this to agree with everything I've said, although I suspect that many of you will. But if you do agree, and you have a forum for expressing that agreement, I respectfully suggest that you use it and add your voice.