Column: A Soldier’s Notebook; Life is better for Iraqis
From time to time here in Iraq, I make an effort to stay up to date on current events. I browse different Web sites and occasionally watch TV while eating chow. For the non-military folks, chow is breakfast, lunch, dinner or basically anything you eat. I never really have enough time, though, to fully research any of the hot topics, but I like to know what people are saying about these things. In an effort to form my own opinions about different issues, I of course apply my moral values, keep an open mind and certainly, I try to be reasonable.
A fellow soldier of mine here recently downloaded a radio show of a well-known political commentator. It was something to pass the time, so we listened to it for a bit. As people called in, the host gave them the chance to voice their opinion about the war in Iraq, and then posed the same question to all of them. He said, “So are the Iraqi people better off before or after the U.S. went into Iraq?”
I was amazed, actually enraged, when many of these callers actually said the Iraqis were better off before we came here! This train of thought simply does not make sense to me. That is their opinion though, and as ignorant as it may be, they are absolutely entitled to it.
Now, let’s apply some common sense to the facts of this issue.
Saddam Hussein killed THOUSANDS of his own people. He took money, that was supposed to fund programs that would improve quality of life for the Iraqis, and he built palaces for himself. His secret police brutalized or killed anyone that spoke out against his regime. He invaded a neighboring country and annexed it because he believed it belonged to the Republic of Iraq. He held national elections with one name on the ballot – his own. His son even threw an Iraqi Olympic athlete to the lions because they didn’t win.
Let’s compare that to what they have now. There is a government for the people, chosen by the people. They have the funding and help of generous nations to rebuild their infrastructure. Farmers are getting subsidies to help boost the economy in rural areas. Hospitals and schools are being supplied with equipment and teaching materials. They have security forces being trained and equipped by experts in that field. And most of all, they have the freedom to do and say what they please without the fear of being killed.
I won’t deny that there have been serious problems associated with this transition. Many Americans and Iraqis have lost their lives in this ongoing battle. I have seen the remains of armored vehicles pulled through the gate, and it makes me sick to know there were U.S. soldiers inside that didn’t make it out. Anyone who cares at all about the issue should ask themselves, is it worth it?
This is a war, make no mistake about it. And a person could even argue whether or not this is our war to be fighting. You could even disagree with the politics and curse the president, as many do, for getting us involved in the first place. That’s the beauty of America – you can voice your differences. To say, though, that the Iraqi people were better off before, it is simply asinine.
If things were bad before, and better after, it would stand to reason that our efforts overall have made a positive difference.
You can send comments or questions to Sgt. Jared Johnson at jaredj@cc.usu.edu.