This Is Why We Went

Much has been written about why the United States and our allies went to war in Iraq, removing Saddam Hussein from power and beginning the process of installing a democratically elected government.

Those on the right side of the political spectrum have argued that it was to:

•  remove the danger that Saddam Hussein presented to the world because of his possession and use of weapons of mass destruction and the aggressive nature of his relationships with other countries in the region.
•  eliminate the possibility that Saddam would transfer such weapons (biological, chemical or nuclear) to terrorists with the desire and means to attack the U.S. with them.
•  eliminate the financial, material, and moral support that Saddam provided to terrorists in other parts of the Middle East, especially the Palestinian terrorist organizations.
•  begin the process of democratizing the Middle East, by installing a democratic government in Iraq, which will provide an example to others in the region that Arab democracies can survive and flourish, and provide a better standard of living and way of life, leading to more content people and less terrorism.
•  to bring freedom and hope to a country long oppressed by one of the most evil, despotic dictators of modern times.

Those on the left side have "argued" that the war in Iraq was to:

•  steal Iraq's oil to enrich President Bush's cronies in the oil industry.
•  exact revenge against Saddam Hussein for attempting to assassinate President Bush's father, the former President George H. W. Bush.
•  to further the evil "neocon" agenda of world domination.
•  further President Bush's Christian crusade against the Muslim world.

Now, I am admittedly much more sympathetic to the arguments presented by the right. They make much more sense to me, and seem much more supported by the facts as I understand them. None of the theories presented by the leftists have been borne out by the facts on the ground, while those presented by the supporters of the president have been shown to be true over and over again.

In short, the policies, strategies and tactics implemented by President Bush, his administration, and our military in Iraq are working. It really seems indisputable; although many leftists will try to dispute it anyway. Increasingly, though, the arguments of the leftists are sounding more and more hollow and strained.

For example, the administration claimed before the war that our military would be welcomed with open arms, but the leftists argued that Iraq would descend into chaos and our military would face armed insurrection at every turn.

What has actually happened?

Well, there certainly have been problems in Iraq, but by no means is the unrest country-wide. It seems to be isolated to particular areas (Fallujah, Najaf, Sadr City), and is supported by organizations known to have an anti-American agenda (former Baathists and al Qaeda in Fallujah, Moqtada al Sadr and the Iranians in Najaf and Sadr City). Most of the rest of the country is relatively quiet and stable, and the worst of the fighting certainly seems to be behind us.

Indeed, it seems that, other than the few areas I mentioned, the rest of Iraq has welcomed us with open arms. Iraq has, at long last, rejoined the community of nations. A picture speaks a thousand words:

This photo, from the Associated Press (David J. Phillip) on YahooNews (via Dean's World and AllahPundit - two really excellent blogs) shows the the Iraqi Olympic delegation greeting, hugging and having a grand time with member of the U.S. Olympic team at the opening ceremonies in Athens, Greece. Could it be more clear?

This is why we went.

Those on the left like to emphasize the human and material cost of war. They point out, correctly, that war costs Iraqi and American lives and costs our country a lot of money. No one disputes that. War is terrible. It would be wonderful if no one ever died in another war.

What they won't acknowledge, either through ignorance or ideology, is that war, fought for the right reasons, also has human benefits. The picture shows it clearly. Before the liberation, Iraqi athletes were subject to torture by Saddam's sadistic, psychopathic son, Uday Hussein if they didn't perform up to expectations. Now they are free to do their best, for themselves and their country.

So are the rest of the citizens of Iraq. And that is, ultimately, why we went. Not for oil. Not for revenge. Not even for weapons of mass destruction.

For the people of Iraq.

Say what you will about our president, George W. Bush; it is a plain fact that without his courage and determination after the attacks of September 11, 2001, neither Afghanistan nor Iraq would have teams in the Olympics this week, let alone teams on which women are competing. If we stay the course, we will win, and God willing, we will see freedom, peace and prosperity for the people of the Middle East.

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