President Bush has lashed out against critics of the war in
Iraq, using events on Veterans Day to attack those who question his
handling of the situation that has sent thousands of American
soldiers overseas.
Bush said that “while it is perfectly legitimate to
criticize (his) decision or conduct of the war, it is deeply
irresponsible to rewrite the history of how that war
began.”
It would be irresponsible to not question the way this war
began. Something went wrong in the planning of this war, whether it
was lack of communication or incorrect intelligence briefings.
Now critics of the war are beginning to ask questions about what
went wrong, and how long it will take to establish a viable exit
plan. They are demanding answers about what strategy the president
actually has for success with the U.S.-led war on terrorism.
The president went on to say that “these baseless attacks
send the wrong signal to our troops and to an enemy that is
questioning America’s will.” The troops in Iraq are
brave individuals who have placed their lives on the line
representing this country.
No war critic is challenging this notion, and the support for
the troops is resounding among those who are for and against the
war.
Those who are questioning the war are not questioning the
importance of troops or the courage demonstrated through their
service. However, these critics are questioning how long our troops
will remain in harm’s way.
No matter what one’s stance is on the war, it is important
to keep the best interest of the troops and of our country in mind.
Those challenging the president’s decisions are working to
ensure that our troops are sent into battle well equipped and only
in situations where national security is being threatened.
As Americans, it is our patriotic duty to raise such questions,
especially when no plan has been outlined that projects when our
troops will return home.
These are our peers, our family members and our friends who are
dying. Being concerned about their safe return has nothing to do
with politics. Rather it has everything to do with their
safety.
As House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has put it, “The
president does a disservice to the troops and the American people
when he tries to silence those asking questions about putting our
men and women in uniform in harm’s way.”
When Democrats such as Pelosi speak out in support of bringing
troops home, there is always an uproar by pro-war Republican
critics denouncing their statements as unpatriotic. In America we
have the First Amendment right to freedom of speech, and these
Americans are using this freedom to voice concern for the valiant
troops risking their lives in Iraq.
Even Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel has faulted the
president’s attack on critics saying “the Bush
administration must understand that each American has a right to
question our policies in Iraq and should not be demonized for
disagreeing with them.”
Hagel also says that “to question your government is not
unpatriotic. … To not question your government is
unpatriotic.”
Supporting our troops has no political affiliation ““ it is
a united effort. Democrats and Republicans alike have both shown
support for the troops, even if some of them are against the
war.
The Bruin Democrats, for example, will be spearheading
“Project Shoebox” here on campus. This project is aimed
at gathering items to send to troops in Iraq. It is important that
we give the troops 100 percent backing, and let them know that the
citizens here in America recognize their bravery, courage and
commitment.
The facts are simple. We are still in Iraq. Soldiers are still
in a hostile environment; some have lost their lives. And as of
now, there is no timetable outlining the withdrawal of our troops
from Iraq.
Having an opinion about the longevity of the war is not
irrational. It is logical.
It is not a crime to question the policies of the current
administration, or to speak out to ensure that those who are
fighting are doing so for a just cause. It is our duty to speak up
on their behalf.
Melgar is the media relations director for Bruin Democrats and a
first-year political science student.