by M. Vogelvang

Created on: January 16, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

While watching the President's speech the other day there were several immediate responses taking place within my head. I believe this to be one of his best speeches even though that isn't necessarily saying too much. Even as a republican I can admit that he is not a wonderful orator but he speaks from the heart.
He made a few very wise choices in his speech that we rarely experience from politicians at his level. He accepted the blame for the failures in Iraq, whether or not he was actually directly responsible for them. This is an act that only the presidents of great character commit, others pass the buck. He told all of us that there would be no end of this war similar to those of our grandparents (there will be no surrender on the deck of a battleship). This is one of the most important issues that America needs to understand. We are no longer fighting an enemy that will lay down its' flag and secede all fighting. They are simply not organized that way.

This was certainly one of his most important speeches he will give. The country is strained, his choices are being questioned at every moment, and he is not one to fight back in a war of words and opinions. While sending in more troops to Iraq seems horrifically familiar to Vietnams' escalation, what else can we do? If we were to leave Iraq not only would our image in the area be tarnished (something we can ill afford) but we would truly be leaving a country alone to tear itself apart. We owe it to the Iraqis to give all of our effort to help them establish safety and security.
The troops in our armed forces regardless of where they are serving need to be commended and applauded at every available moment. They are fighting a war without a known end and unfortunately without public opinion on their side. This war will only become Vietnam if we Americans allow it to. We have done our part in voicing our opinion to our leaders and they are listening, as evidenced by the Presidents change of strategy. The next step is to recommit our hearts and minds to the efforts in the Middle East and ensure that when our citizens fighting abroad return home they are welcomed with open arms and gratititude in our hearts.

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