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When America needed a friend, Great Britain once again proved it was the only ally America could trust. Kudos as well to our friends in Spain, Australia and Poland. As for France, Germany, China and Russia I hope they enjoy the Ditzy Chicks, as we are sending them over along with Mike Farrell, Martin Sheen, Susan Sarandon and Michael Moore. Travis Tritt got it right, hit these Hollywood types where it hurts: the pocketbook.
Think about Hollywood. This is the same horde that cheered, with many giving a standing ovation to fugitive Roman Polanski, a child molester who was named as recipient of this year's best-director award at the Oscars. Polanski was convicted of having unlawful sex with a 13-year-old at actor Jack Nicholson's house in 1997. He fled the U.S. and now lives in France, where else? The Hollywood elite that put so much effort to undermine our brave soldiers, tell the world that "War Is Not the Answer," honor the spoiled, rich scandalous Michael Moore and Roman Polanski. Are we not better than this?
Regardless of the anti-American sentiment of war protesters and terrorist sympathizers, it is time we finish what we should have done in 1991, and take Saddam out for good. I question the use of the term "shock and awe," but no country can do what we can do militarily. We are now the only true world power. But at the end of the day, despite technological advances that truly demonstrates the creative genius and innovation of our American armed forces, deaths of young men and women in uniform are tragic. The subsequent display of our troops, particularly those who appeared executed by their captors should make our blood boil.
Another blood boiling should occur from Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle who launched a bitter attack on President Bush's handling of the Iraq conflict. This occurred just as U.S. forces were heading into war, Daschle hit a new low in partisan politics. Playing politics is usually off-limits when our country is poised to plunge into battle. Politics during wartime has an unwritten rule, considered unthinkable because, to the rest of the world, we must be a truly united state during times of crisis.
For all those who want to take advantage of insider knowledge, here is what we are looking to do: The United States had no choice but to take logical, consistent, and systematic action if it was to reject Saddam's "cheat-and-retreat" strategy: eliminate his brutal government, undercut his ability to threaten his neighbors and no longer allow him to repress his own people.
In responding to the immediate crisis, the United States and our allies will need to maintain a steady focus on two long-term goals: (1) forcing Saddam's downfall and (2) diminishing Iraq's threats to regional stability and the flow of oil. Chances are by the time you read this they will have located Saddam's rotting corpse, still clinging to his last copy of the Bradley Weekly. I guess we will never discover the true identity of the late Art Newman.
Not merely content with making my liberal friends mad in North America, I had to take a shot at the anti-American editorial "Oil remains a key issue for conflict" in the Qatar (pronounced CUTTER) Gulf Times. My letter was featured and in typical fashion I pulled no punches. I suspect a few more folks will now add me to their list. However, I am sure I am on the ACLU and the BCEA's list and I am not losing much sleep.
I really believe Saddam Hussein was allowed to employ his "cheat-and-retreat" strategy for too long. Unfortunately, his stature in the Arab world only increased. The link between terrorists and outlaw regimes striving for or possessing nuclear and chemical weapons of mass destruction was a genuine threat to humanity. Likewise, North Korea is another country the world community needs to deal with, and North Korea has little or no oil production.
The crux of my editorial and the message I think we need to repeat: There is little doubt that the citizens of Iraq suffered under a dictator in Saddam Hussein. Most American citizens have a sincere and genuine concern for the Iraqi people, and we only wish the Arab community would justly portray the liberation of Iraq.
Make no mistake, if left unchecked, Saddam would have been a threat to surrounding countries, as well as the entire region. The 1982-1988 war against Iran, the invasion of Kuwait, which precipitated the 1991 Gulf War are stark reminders of this very real threat. Trying to entice Saddam to submit to U.N. resolutions by constant pleading by those who advocated appeasement are guilty of moral cowardice and their failure to take a stand against a totalitarian regime threatened regional and world security.
Undoubtedly, most Arab leaders understand Saddam was a danger to his own people and the stability of the entire region. It is accurate Iraq's return to global markets will allow for a more abundant and stable energy supply, a higher cash flow for the Iraqi people, and numerous business opportunities for the Arab region and the world.
I hope this war is over by the time you read this column. Keep our troops in your thoughts and prayers. I want to also congratulate Cleveland native Corporal Rob Wynkoop who won first place in the USMC journalist contest. Send Robby a note at PO Box 454973, San Diego, CA 92145-3032. Semper Fi, Devil Dog!
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