by Soloman Samuel

Created on: November 04, 2008

War by its very nature is tragic. Yet in some instances it is necessary. Not a necessary evil, but necessary.

The war in Iraq has left many men and women broken, in both body and mind. However, if you ask them, if they felt it was worth it, a vast majority of them would reply in the affirmative. They've been there, they've seen the difference they have made. They don't rely on the media, or politicians to tell them the horrors accompanied by war. They live it.

However, I am not speaking AGAINST anyone or finding fault with their argument regardless of their stance. It is important as a society that we maintain all ideas. A dissenting voice is imperative in a free society. And debate should continue to provide a moral compass. But to judge what many consider to be a righteous cause based on erroneous information can be damaging in not only solving the problem but it relegates to a certain insignificance what they have to say as well.

The majority of Iraqis that now support the US and foreign troops might surprise you. Initially, they were apprehensive and outright demonstrable in their opposition. They have a media as well. The many Iraqi men and women that realize their lives have changed for the better is growing daily. Those that once fought alongside insurgents now find themselves battling those same instruments that bring misery to the population as a whole. While there are deficiencies in many areas, and too many still suffer from the impact of war, there is hope. There are smiles, where there once were none.

Those that were in place, those that led a small group, are no longer in action. Gone are government sponsored executions for trivial matters. Gone is funding to groups that bring destruction. The change in strategy and realization of winning the "Hearts and Minds" has overcome any propaganda or ill acts that contributed to such vicious opposition. The number of hostile incidents drops daily. The suffering of all is mitigated by the troops and their campaign daily.

Many mistakes have been made. Acts have been committed that are detrimental to maintaining a peace. This, however, shouldn't diminish the noble cause and accomplishments many American soldiers have sacrificed for. Let's not forget the initial cause for the war.

There were a number of UN Resolutions that Iraq was in violation. There were many incidents where the laws in place were being skirted by dubious players on both sides of the embargo. Let's also remember that the UN Resolutions enacted

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