The truth is non-partisan

I was against an invasion of Iraq before it occurred. (This is one reason I see John Kerry lacking in judgment. He voted with all but five U.S. Senators for giving President Bush the power to invade Iraq as a last resort.) I sensed that an invasion over the longterm would lead to disaster. Part of my reasoning was based on other countries' hesitancy to support the U.S. and also a belief that negotiation and further inspections were needed. I also felt that Iraq was not a real danger to the U.S. I believe a policy of pre-emption is contrary to my own personal and religious beliefs of defending one's country only if attacked. Iraq did not attack us. It was Al Quida terrorists.

We can see now the seeds of disaster in Iraq. The Shiite majority would like nothing better than to form a fundamentalist Islamic nation like in Iran. In that case Sunnis and Kurds would be the oppressed. No wonder the Sunnis are fighting the American occupational forces. No wonder they do not want an election. Life in an Iran-style theocracy would be genocidal. As Americans we assume that all peace-loving peoples would want democracy. Most just want to live without fear and want enough food to feed themselves.

The United States has created a mess in Iraq which only will get worse. We need to get out of Iraq as fast as possible. Support our troops by bringing them home. Save our own troops lives and let the Iraqis solve their own internal problems. If we stay thousands, even ten of thousands will die. If we leave, thousands, even tens of thousands will die. Ultimately whether we stay or leave, the result will be the same. Peace will come only after a long drawn out war. And the nation will be partitioned into at least three sectors - Sunni, Shiite and Kurd. This is Bush's legacy for Iraq.