War on terror

U.S. troops: 2,000 deaths for what?

Congratulations to the stalwart who remain loyal to Iraqi freedoms ensconced. Right now the Iraqis are waging a war against their own Muslim fanatics. But the sane determine to win their democracy in place of Saddam Hussein’s despotic grip.

With close to 80% voting in favor of the new constitution, the world should be ecstatic that Operation Iraqi Freedom has yielded such fruit. This is a remarkable milestone.

Now what about the dead? What about them?

They died for others. They died to set Iraqis free from human shredding machines. They died, not needlessly, but for the living to have hope. This kind of sacrifice is not new to history. It has been written in volumes wherever progress for mankind has been forthcoming. Nothing worthwhile ever just happens. It takes sacrifice one way or another.

Further, with the media making such a fuss about New Iraq multinational troops approaching the 2,000 mark for service members giving their lives for others, how can such be overplayed? Is the number 378 any less significant than the number 2,000 when it comes to a human life laid down for the freedom gain of another? I don’t think so.

Therefore, reaching the number 2,000 should have no more impact upon world opinion than any other preceding number. All the numbers stand for mortals giving the supreme sacrifice, just as Jesus said to His own: "A brother lays down his life for another." Then Jesus followed through with His own atoning sacrifice.

However, with the glad news that the constitution has now been properly voted upon, the secular media is mysteriously ungleeful. Yet the sane, intelligent citizens of the world community are forced to live with that stubborn fact. We hear today of others who are blown up by Muslim terrorists but we hear hardly a word about the constitution being accepted by the vast majority if Iraqis.

Shame on the so-called mainline press. Shame on the purposefully liberal media for being so backward as not to keep abreast of one of the most breathtaking news items taking place on the planet this very week.

Nevertheless, some newsfeeds are giving the constitution its just due. According to AP’s Thomas Wagner, "Iraq's constitution was adopted by a majority in a fair vote during the Oct. 15 referendum, as Sunni Arab opponents failed to muster enough support to defeat it, election officials said Tuesday."

That’s the sum of it all: the nay-sayers lost. The hopeful won. Charge ahead, brave and courageous. Keep your heads held high. Teach your children valor and sacrifice. May they learn how to sacrifice for another’s liberties.

And may the U.S. Democrat Party learn how to rejoice when democracy continues to make headway somewhere else. The same with America’s liberal newscasters. And the same with the Republicans in Name Only (RINOs) who have thwarted U.S. President George W. Bush’s freedom spread by their lethargy and lack of unity.

Yet for the Red States enthusiasts and genuinely patriotic, we cheer the Iraqis in their march forward. We also thank God for a President who remains firm in his resolve for others.

"Carina Perelli, the U.N. elections chief, praised a ‘very good job’ with the audit of results by election officials and said ‘Iraq should be proud of the commission.’

"Iraq's top two coalition partners, the United States and Britain, also welcomed the results.

"’It's a landmark day in the history of Iraq,’ White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. ‘We congratulate the Iraqi people. ... The political process is continuing to move forward in Iraq, and it is an encouraging sign to see more and more people participating in the process.’

"British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said Iraqis ‘have shown again their determination to defy the terrorists and take part in the democratic process.’"


Copyright © 2005 by J. Grant Swank, Jr.