The underlying conflict pursuant to the struggle in Iraq in which we are engaged is the most elemental in the history of the human race: wrong versus right. There is no other way to look at it. It could be argued that we went to war under a different premise: self-defense perhaps, the protection of ourselves and our future. But we are now involved in something much less complex. We are now battling against the very powers of wrong. Self-interest, greed, and obstinate close-mindedness are what we are at war with now.

I have heard the arguments of the naysayers. This is a "needless war." We are fighting for no purpose other than our own self-interest. The skeptics say that our government is interested in nothing more than oil and saving face. That is a mistaken, misguided and myopic belief. This war means much more than that. Perhaps it didn't at the outset, but it has evolved.

Do the people who believe that we shouldn't be in Iraq and that we are pointlessly sacrificing the brave men and women of our armed forces honestly think that it would be better if we had left a brutal man in power? Do they honestly think that leaving insurgents, extremists and holy warriors alive and in control on their home ground would be morally and intellectually right? Do they honestly think that it we should leave innocent citizens of this planet (our planet, the planet we all share or should be sharing) under the thumbs of military dictators and religious fanatics? I am speaking, just to be clear, of Saddam Hussein and Al-Qaeda. I insinuate no relationship between the two; I merely point out that they are greedy and shortsighted, committed to the subjugation and control of their fellow human beings for their own selfish profit. As the pinnacle of democracy, the very symbol of freedom of thought and will (among other less fortunate things), is it not America's duty to step up, step in and stand up for democracy and freedom in other parts of the world? If not to ourselves and what we stand for, then at the very least for the sake of the oppressed and tortured souls less fortunate than ourselves?

I say we are right to be in Iraq and Afghanistan and always have been. We, and the other free peoples of Planet Earth (regardless of race, nationality, or political beliefs), can and should forcibly remove those who would abuse or oppress their fellow human beings. We should not sit back and say "It's not our problem." We MUST involve ourselves. I believe the ultimate goal of

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