Many have written on the topic of news coverage and the so-called setbacks in the war in Iraq.  While there are those in the media who have taken an anti-American slant (*cough* BBC *cough), I’m concerned with the picture being painted by those who have not chosen such a path.  One of the problems as I see it is that the media in general lack the ability to maintain perspective and look at things in terms of a larger plan.

My fear is that such coverage will convince some to waver in their support of the war and agitate for the withdrawal of our troops.  So far, it appears that the American people understand that this war will not be without losses on our side.  I just hope that they can continue to ignore the frantic reporting.

Once the switch was thrown and the first coalition forces crossed the border, we were committed.  It is not possible to turn back now without doing incalculable harm both to our country and to the people of Iraq.  Some anti-war protesters may genuinely believe that it’s possible to bring the troops home at any time, but they are ignoring reality.  If it can be shown that the infliction of casualties will persuade the United States to withdraw forces, no one will take this country seriously for years to come.  It has been American weakness in the past that has emboldened the terrorists (according to one source I read recently, Bin Laden saw the withdrawal of American forces from Somalia as evidence that the US could be defeated and he stepped up his efforts). 

The United States will be viewed as weak and without honor, which will make us fair game for more and bigger attacks in the future.  And it doesn’t matter whether Bin Laden himself is still alive, there are more like him waiting in the wings—just look at some of our college campuses these days.  At the same time, we will have screwed the Iraqi people twice.  When we let them down in 1991, Saddam Hussein killed thousands of his own citizens who came out in favor of his removal.  We owe these poor bastards this time.  Let’s not screw them again.  Even if Saddam Hussein is dead, withdrawing our troops will not save these people as long as any of his government continues to exist.

The only option now is to see the mission through to completion.  The only way to safely bring our troops home is through victory.  Let’s hope that it happens sooner, rather than later.