The foreign and domestic enemies of the United States have not and will not achieve their most sought after goal- an American failure in Iraq. It just isn't going to happen for them. That means that our side won. There really isn't any other way to say it.For even if (God forbid) Obama or Hillary win the White House, George W Bush's surge strategy will remain in place from today, through the summer and fall and, at a minimum, deep into winter. Al Queda in Iraq will not be able to take advantage. The course of history in the middle east and, as a consequence, the world, has been permanently and irrevocably altered. The blame America first fools are going to have to find a way to come to grips with that. The Democrats will be able to do no more than begin to bring the troops home even after sweet victory would have already dictated such.
The loss of Dennis Hastert's old seat does not bode well for the headwinds that the GOP faces in the House. The Senate really doesn't look much better. John McCain can certainly win the White House but he can just as certainly lose it. Regardless of which of the three do win, the next 4 years look difficult at best. The Republicans may, indeed, be heading toward a time in the wilderness.
Yet, the future of America, and of the world, is brighter because of the efforts of our soldiers and those who have stood behind them. It is not hyperbole to state that you have changed the world for the better. I know that it has not been easy for you and some of you have suffered immensely.
Many of you have experienced the loss of a family member or friend. I do not take lightly your loss. Revolutionary Patrick Henry said "give me liberty or give me death!" Many of us have recited these words but few have contemplated their true meaning. Many fail to realize that there are things in life that are worse than death and a person who finds nothing worth dying for, finds nothing worth living for.
Many still insist that the Iraq war was an unjust or immoral war- an invasion of a sovereign nation. Those people are just insane and deserve only the scorn and derision that their madness motivates. Leave them to boil in their own psychotic hate. They may truly feel that a nation can claim, as rightful, the ability to murder, torture and rape it's own citizens, but you and I know better.
In allowing to stand, the claim of the sovereignty of butchers, aren't we all diminished as human beings? If all the other side can offer are screeds and absolutions, based on a mutual hatred of America, haven't they lost the privilege of even being heard?
This is a time when many have lost their way. History will richly reward those of you were greater than the times in which you lived. You have won the admiration of many. Myself, among them.
Sonlit
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