Does this scene look familiar?
Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country.
In this battle, we have fought for the cause of liberty, and for the peace of the world. Our nation and our coalition are proud of this accomplishment -- yet, it is you, the members of the United States military, who achieved it. Your courage, your willingness to face danger for your country and for each other, made this day possible. Because of you, our nation is more secure. Because of you, the tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free.1,500 days after this declaration by George W. Bush, what have we reaped from the occupation of Iraq?
Fallujah. Haditha. Abu Ghraib. Seal Team 626. Halliburton. Titan. CACI. Al Qaeda. Al Sadr. Over 3,500 US soldiers killed for an ultimate mission that their Commander-in-Chief never made quite clear, even after the capture and execution of Saddam Hussein.
And despite the will and resolve of the American people, which is now solidly opposed to our continued military prescence in Iraq, the occupation continues. And the torture continues. And the deaths continue.
This is beyond unacceptable. For anyone to continue supporting the American occupation of Iraq now borders on treason.1,500 days. Let that number sink into your heads. 1,500 days spent chasing ragtag insurgents, sectarian thugs, and terrorist cells.
And just how long
did it take Americans to help shut down the Axis war machine in the 1940's anyway?
We have much to ponder today. Including the increasingly bleak future of our nation.