A Fight They Can Win

Tonight President Bush addressed the country on the subject of America's current role in the War on Terror. But perhaps the main reason for tuning in was to hear the president speak on reducing the numbers of U.S. soldiers in Iraq. 5,700 troops will return home by Christmas time followed by four brigades of at least 21,500 returning in July 2008. Currently there are at least 169,000 soldiers stationed in the Middle East.

"We need a spirit of community, a sense that we are all in this together. If we have no sense of community, the American dream will wither."
- President Bill Clinton

The news of withdrawing troops comes as an answered prayer for many families who have have been waiting for the return of their sons and daughters. Though while this country set out to weaken those who would do us harm, this war has not come without striking up problems in our own backyard. Many people have raised their voices protesting the war, but for reasons of safety for their loved ones who are fighting. While they might blame the government, they need to remember that this war is made up of volunteers. Some of us cannot even begin to imagine what the soldiers are having to endure for us. And that brings us to the question of whether we want to fight the problem there or fight it here.

"A president's hardest task is not to do what is right, but to know what is right."
- President Lyndon B. Johnson

President Bush stated that we must help Iraq to defeat those who threaten their future and threaten ours. He added how we must work to help Iraq maintain its security- for America does not abandon their friends. The president talked about how Iraqi forces are becoming more capable but there is still a great deal to be done.

"All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin."
- President John F. Kennedy

We know that this war is far from over and that it will continue into the following presidency, but we hope that there will be a sense of accomplishment. President Bush, "For the safety of future generations we must succeed." Since 9/11 we have hoped to put an end to terrorism and while we can try our best to protect ourselves we can never be fully safe.

"In the time of darkest defeat, victory may be nearest."
- President William McKinely

America has certainly had its share of wars, and none were over in a short period of time. We can't look at this war as bad intentions from the Bush administration, for their goal has been nothing but the preservation and safety of human lives. You may not agree with what is said or decided by the government, its leaders, or even those who might blog their opinions. Leading a country is a great responsibility- so who are we to say that we could do a better job?

"My failures have been errors of judgment, not of intent."
- President Ulysses S. Grant

“…let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan — to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”
- President Abraham Lincoln

War of course is nothing grand, and we cry for an end to the blood that is spilled everyday. But we can't abandon those who had our best intentions in mind. So we pray for an end and the safe return of our soldiers. We can not turn against them. They're fighting so that we may never have to see another tragedy like 9/11. It may not be the withdrawal some would have wanted, but a few troops home is better than none at all. As President Bush said in his speech, "It is never too late to support our troops in a fight they can win."