Watching history

It seems that emergence is underway in Iraq. The Iraqis are self-organizing, and it's unclear what the outcome will be, but the result will be determined by their own character and will. This was a great experiment for us, more so for them. Whatever happens, however, I believe that America's reaction to the attacks of 9/11 was honorable. Despite the rage and contempt of the armies of clones in the mainstream news media, we chose to dethrone a hideous tyrant and deliver a population from under his boot heel. I felt that we had shafted them in 1991-2 by giving them hope and then allowing the U.N. to pull it away from under their noses.

People who think the war in Iraq is somehow motivated avenging George H. W. Bush's defeat by Bill Clinton, fail to realize what a rebuke it was to his handling of Saddam. I well remember his hailing of the "New World Order," and the frigid response to that from conservatives. I remember the bumper stickers, "Saddam still has his job, Mr. President. Do you?"

Those who choose to characterize our response this time as imperialism and oppression can't see past Vietnam to the way we ended World War II. They'll be astonished and most likely embittered if the Iraqis succeed in establishing a working democracy. If they fail, I will still feel that we did the right thing, and I believe that most people who had been filled with Al Qaeda propaganda before this war, must admit that we spent huge sums and many lives trying to make their lives better. We did the right thing.

I fervently hope and pray that the silent majority of Iraqis see what needs to be done and will insist that their government represent their will and their best interests. The burden of the government is being shifted onto them. May they realize how great an opportunity this is, and not let it be snatched from them by demagogues and meddlers. And may America stand by them, and live up to its promise.