IRAQ WAR: Lives must not be lost in vain

Not since the Civil War has there been as bloody a day on American soil as Sept. 11, 2001. In a matter of hours, terrorist murdered thousands of Americans, disrupted our way of life, and destroyed our sense of security.

World leaders expressed their condolences and offered assistance. President George W. Bush warned that we would “hunt down and punish those responsible for these cowardly acts.” The world stood behind us, united.

But when Bush asked the United Nations to enforce existing resolutions in Iraq, some leaders chose not to stand with us. Nonetheless, Bush amassed a “coalition of the willing” and announced Operation Iraqi Freedom. Saddam Hussein was expelled and the Coalition Provisional Authority has served as the lawful government of Iraq ever since, and will continue to do so until June 30.

France, Russia, and Germany have called for immediate “initiating under the auspices of the UN a new process leading … to the full restoration of Iraqi authority.” Some American candidates and politicians support this notion. If we fail to stay the course, all we have accomplished will unravel and the sacrifice of our servicemen and women will have been made in vain.

This article appeared in the Springfield News-Leader on Monday, May 3, 2004

http://springfield.news-leader.com/opinions/letters/0503-Lifeisntfa-77093.html