On this weekend, the third annivesary of the start of military operations, protesters are out in force.
Naturally, the lib media are in full drool mode over the gatherings. I don't know about the drooling aspect, but it's fair to cover the stories. When thousands and thousands of people are gathering to protest something, it deserves recognition in the media.
Unfortunately, the lib media don't give equal recognition to the many positive things that are happening in Iraq since the U.S. and coalition forces liberated the country.
I'm not suggesting that things are rosy over there, far from it. There is daily unrest and bloodshed. However, I am pointing out that the mission our troops and their coalition partners are engaged in is noble.
Unlike what the lib media present and the spin Dem elected officials put on Iraq, the troops are not "going into the homes of Iraqis in the dead of night, terrorizing kids," as John Kerry said.
OUR TROOPS ARE NOT ABOUT TORTURE AND WAR CRIMES.
The overwhelming majority are serving with bravery and honor, and bringing hope to the Iraqi people.
I thought it would be a good idea to balance all the anti-war protest images from around the world on this third anniversary weekend with positive images from Iraq.
Navona Square in central Rome, March 18, 2006.
An Iraqi army soldier helps U.S. Marines assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 5 hand out toys, school supplies, and pamphlets to Iraqi children in Fallujah, Iraq, March 10, 2006.
Trafalgar Square in central London March 18, 2006.
Iraqis wait in line during a medical civil action program at the Al Jeel Al Arahi primary school in Al Jaddi, Iraq, March 8, 2006. The program is being conducted by U.S. Army soldiers from Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment and Iraqi army soldiers from the 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi Army Division. U.S.
Berlin on Saturday, March 18, 2006.
U.S. Marines hand out toys and pamphlets to Iraqi children in Fallujah, Iraq, March 10, 2006.
Central Tokyo March 18, 2006.
An Iraqi woman receives medicine for her daughter during a medical civil action program at the Al Jeel Al Arahi primary school in Al Jaddi, Iraq, March 8, 2006.
Sydney, Australia, Saturday, March 18, 2006.
Iraqi soldiers from the 9th Mechanized Division unload and deliver bottled water during a mission to bring water and medical supplies to Halasba, Iraq, March 10, 2006.
Lahore, Pakistan on Saturday, March 18, 2006.
U.S. Army Maj. (Dr.) Eric Elgin, a surgeon assigned to 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division, treats an Iraqi patient at a school in Baghdad, Iraq, during a medical and civil affairs program mission, Jan. 27, 2006.
President Bush's Weekly Radio Address
(Excerpt)
PRESIDENT BUSH: Sunday marks the third anniversary of the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The decision by the United States and our Coalition partners to remove Saddam Hussein from power was a difficult decision -- and it was the right decision. America and the world are safer today without Saddam Hussein in power. He is no longer oppressing the Iraqi people, sponsoring terror, and threatening the world. He is now being tried for his crimes, and over 25 million Iraqis now live in freedom. This is an achievement America and our allies can be proud of.
These past three years have tested our resolve. We've seen hard days and setbacks. After the fall of Saddam Hussein, the terrorists made Iraq the central front in the war on terror, in an attempt to turn that country into a safe haven where they can plan more attacks against America. The fighting has been tough. The enemy has proved brutal and relentless. We have changed our approach in many areas to reflect the hard realities on the ground. And our troops have shown magnificent courage and made tremendous sacrifices.
These sacrifices by our Coalition forces -- and the sacrifices of Iraqis -- have given Iraq this historic opportunity to form a democratic government and rebuild itself after decades of tyranny. In the past three years, Iraqis have gone from living under a brutal tyrant, to liberation, sovereignty, free elections, a constitutional referendum, and last December, elections for a fully constitutional government. By their courage, the Iraqi people have spoken and made their intentions clear: They want to live in a democracy and shape their own destiny.
In this fight, the American and Iraqi people share the same enemies because we stand for freedom. The security of our country is directly linked to the liberty of the Iraqi people, and we will settle for nothing less than complete victory. Victory will come when the terrorists and Saddamists can no longer threaten Iraq's democracy, when the Iraqi security forces can provide for the safety of their own citizens, and when Iraq is not a safe haven for the terrorists to plot new attacks against our nation.
More fighting and sacrifice will be required to achieve this victory, and for some, the temptation to retreat and abandon our commitments is strong. Yet there is no peace, there's no honor, and there's no security in retreat. So America will not abandon Iraq to the terrorists who want to attack us again. We will finish the mission. By defeating the terrorists in Iraq, we will bring greater security to our own country. And when victory is achieved, our troops will return home with the honor they have earned.
I have no problem with people voicing their opposition to the war in Iraq. There can be legitimate disagreement on the policy. Fine.
I do have a problem with the irresponsible and flat-out misleading rhetoric about our troops and our president.
Bush is not Hitler. He's not a terrorist.
Our troops are not terrorists. They aren't torturers.
While it's appropriate and important to weigh the costs and the benefits of U.S. action in Iraq, it's not appropriate to completely disregard the positives that our troops and coalition partners have achieved.
It is intellectually dishonest.
Another thing that I think is important to remember:
WE ALL WANT PEACE.
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