Abandoning Iraq

There was an article by Doug Bandow today, in which he decried America's potential nation building operation in Iraq. He states, "Having invaded Iraq, Washington has little choice but to help rebuild that nation. However, America's basic objective should be to safeguard U.S. security, not to inaugurate an Iraqi New Deal. That means being less concerned about whether Iraq holds together, who rules Baghdad, and how the country's politics are practiced, and more concerned that any regime neither traffics in weapons of mass destruction nor terrorism."

First of all, don't the rulers of Iraq maybe exert some influence over whether their nation supports weapons of mass destruction or terrorism?

But more to the point, regardless of the difficulties, the creation of a stable, democratic, capitalist Iraq would have positive reprecutions throughout the region. It would be a blessing to the Iraqi people, who have had to suffer under Saddam's despotic rule. It would show the Middle East that we come not as conquerors, nor in vengence, but to help.

There are going to be strong pressures on President Bush to abandon Iraq, but I encourage each of us to support him in his efforts to rebuild Iraq. Here is President Bush's E-mail address. president@whitehouse.gov