2008 Woodie Awards
Problems of Peace With No Explanation
At the Very Least We, As Americans and Soldiers, Deserve the Truth
Karl de Vries
Issue date: 10/7/04 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
They told us that by 'teaching' Iraq a lesson, the rest of the world would learn. They told us that we would be safer.
Since then, the world has become less safe and terrorism continues with gusto. The northwestern portion of Iraq is controlled by insurgents, and the rest of Iraq suffers from daily attacks and kidnappings.
It makes me think back to whether or not the "shock and awe" campaign was as successful as they would have us think. The immediate effect was success, and this war could have been remembered as one of America's great victories. Instead, it is seen as a colossal failure because America didn't plan for the peace!
So now, about that lesson everyone was supposed to have learned. We were told that by going into Iraq, the world would learn that having weapons of mass destruction just weren't worth it. Unfortunately, yet again, they were wrong. North Korea has announced that they have joined the ever-growing list of nuclear-armed nations.
Iran continues its ambitions to be a nuclear power. Now South Korea and Japan are contemplating seeking nuclear arms. What happened to nuclear non-proliferation? Oh yes, when President Bush came into office, he scrapped that treaty in favor of a missile defense network... that has yet to be created or even proven viable.
As a result of the President's policies, Americans are more in danger now than ever before. Instead of spending money on border control or closer examination of the 95 percent of unscreened cargo ships that pass through our ports daily, the President chose to commit our army to a war, and it was a choice; don't be fooled. Our nation was in no imminent danger and that's been proven.
When will the President admit he was wrong? The families of the 1,059 dead and 25,000 plus amputated and seriously wounded soldiers demand honesty and not political rhetoric from their President.
The Iraqis too, deserve more. Their lives under Saddam were harsh - as a result of his policies they suffered harsh economic sanctions. Saddam tortured those that dared to challenge his government's authority, very brutally and without remorse. Then America comes to save the day.
Other than the thousands of dead Iraqis, the thousands of insurgent attackers, looting of national treasurers, and lack of electricity, I would have to agree with the President: mission accomplished.
Although I believe Saddam Hussein is getting what he deserves, I just don't think that the American soldiers deserve what they continue to be getting: lies and half-truths from their Commander-in-Chief.
Since then, the world has become less safe and terrorism continues with gusto. The northwestern portion of Iraq is controlled by insurgents, and the rest of Iraq suffers from daily attacks and kidnappings.
It makes me think back to whether or not the "shock and awe" campaign was as successful as they would have us think. The immediate effect was success, and this war could have been remembered as one of America's great victories. Instead, it is seen as a colossal failure because America didn't plan for the peace!
So now, about that lesson everyone was supposed to have learned. We were told that by going into Iraq, the world would learn that having weapons of mass destruction just weren't worth it. Unfortunately, yet again, they were wrong. North Korea has announced that they have joined the ever-growing list of nuclear-armed nations.
Iran continues its ambitions to be a nuclear power. Now South Korea and Japan are contemplating seeking nuclear arms. What happened to nuclear non-proliferation? Oh yes, when President Bush came into office, he scrapped that treaty in favor of a missile defense network... that has yet to be created or even proven viable.
As a result of the President's policies, Americans are more in danger now than ever before. Instead of spending money on border control or closer examination of the 95 percent of unscreened cargo ships that pass through our ports daily, the President chose to commit our army to a war, and it was a choice; don't be fooled. Our nation was in no imminent danger and that's been proven.
When will the President admit he was wrong? The families of the 1,059 dead and 25,000 plus amputated and seriously wounded soldiers demand honesty and not political rhetoric from their President.
The Iraqis too, deserve more. Their lives under Saddam were harsh - as a result of his policies they suffered harsh economic sanctions. Saddam tortured those that dared to challenge his government's authority, very brutally and without remorse. Then America comes to save the day.
Other than the thousands of dead Iraqis, the thousands of insurgent attackers, looting of national treasurers, and lack of electricity, I would have to agree with the President: mission accomplished.
Although I believe Saddam Hussein is getting what he deserves, I just don't think that the American soldiers deserve what they continue to be getting: lies and half-truths from their Commander-in-Chief.