2008 Woodie Awards
Iraqis finally vote for their freedom
Reflections
Anthony Maalouf
Issue date: 2/1/05 Section: Forum
Jan. 30, 2005 is a significant date in world history, for it is the day Iraqis for the first time went to the polls to vote. This day in history is not only momentous for Iraq, but also the United States, the Middle East and the entire freedom-loving world. The right to vote is a right for which many have suffered, gone to war and even died for. It is that universal right which ensures democracy and freedom to those who are governed. Finally, it has been granted to the once oppressed Iraqis.
Anti-war skeptics, of course, have minimized the merit of this achievement because it means giving President Bush credit, and they can?t stand to do that, let alone accept the fact that he won last November. At this point, I?m convinced that no matter what positive events happen in Iraq, they are going to continue this defeatist attitude. So, while they continue to be pessimistic, President Bush goes back to D.C. to govern for four more years and actually make a difference.
Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Kennedy makes claims that the war in Iraq is George W. Bush?s Vietnam. Why is it that politicians who claim to support the troops can also continue to ridicule their efforts? John Kerry tried this, and well, you know what happened. Seriously, if you were a soldier stationed in Iraq or anywhere else in the world and heard Kennedy?s comments, how would you feel? I certainly wouldn?t take it as "support." That?s why you?ll find that military personnel, including active troops, picked George W. Bush overwhelmingly this past November -- because he?ll support the troops and their mission 100 percent.
Furthermore, Iraq is not Vietnam. The contexts of the two wars are totally different, and the war in Iraq is winnable. I say thisbased on my faith in the Iraqis. Hope is real, and contrary to popular belief, the Iraqis have it. Take Sunday for instance. The elections being held in Iraq really are a symbolic victory in the War on Terror and a defeat for al Quaeda. For months, insurgents have terrorized the citizens of Iraq, threatening those who dare to go to the polls to pick new leaders in parliament.
Anti-war skeptics, of course, have minimized the merit of this achievement because it means giving President Bush credit, and they can?t stand to do that, let alone accept the fact that he won last November. At this point, I?m convinced that no matter what positive events happen in Iraq, they are going to continue this defeatist attitude. So, while they continue to be pessimistic, President Bush goes back to D.C. to govern for four more years and actually make a difference.
Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Kennedy makes claims that the war in Iraq is George W. Bush?s Vietnam. Why is it that politicians who claim to support the troops can also continue to ridicule their efforts? John Kerry tried this, and well, you know what happened. Seriously, if you were a soldier stationed in Iraq or anywhere else in the world and heard Kennedy?s comments, how would you feel? I certainly wouldn?t take it as "support." That?s why you?ll find that military personnel, including active troops, picked George W. Bush overwhelmingly this past November -- because he?ll support the troops and their mission 100 percent.
Furthermore, Iraq is not Vietnam. The contexts of the two wars are totally different, and the war in Iraq is winnable. I say thisbased on my faith in the Iraqis. Hope is real, and contrary to popular belief, the Iraqis have it. Take Sunday for instance. The elections being held in Iraq really are a symbolic victory in the War on Terror and a defeat for al Quaeda. For months, insurgents have terrorized the citizens of Iraq, threatening those who dare to go to the polls to pick new leaders in parliament.
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