Where do we go?

Five years ago tonight, on March 19th, 2003, the United States invaded Iraq. since that time, the casualty count has soared from between 150,000 and 1 million, depending on which source you choose as correct. On May 1st, 2003, after less than 2 months of combat, our president spoke from the deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln of brighter times ahead, and told the crew of that ship, and the nation at large that, "In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed." The backdrop for this bold statement was a banner emblazoned with the words "Mission Accomplished".

What mission, exactly, was it that was accomplished at that time? The destabilization of the middle east? The ruination of a sovereign nation? The creation of PERFECT conditions for civil war? Certainly, we know it was not victory, or the end of this war, as we have seen in the many bloody days since that speech. Certainly it could not have been the freeing of the Iraqi people, who traded a tyrant for US occupation.

It is obvious, I'm sure, that I do not support this war, nor do I support this president and his incredibly corrupt administration. I do however, support the men and women who have fought, and still fight this war which is not theirs to fight, and the families who have to sit idly by and wait for news that will ease their worries. My thoughts go out to all of these people. It saddens me to no end that these things are happening, and I hope with all my heart that all of our troops will come home safe and unharmed, unrealistic as this hope is. Thank you to those who have fought and my sincere apologies, as a citizen of this country, for the pain and struggles this war has put you through.

The question before us now, though, is what to do with the mess we have made. Is there a way to heal the hurts we have caused? Is there hope for the future? I'd sure like to believe there is.

In 287 days, we vote for a new president. Vote. This is the freedom they tell us we are fighting for, and even in this country, where independence is held most dear, we cannot take it for granted, lest we lose it.