by John Lecoq

Created on: February 28, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2010

Our war effort in Iraq has left our country torn into two camps. One supports the war and thinks this is the right war at the right time. The other, a group that opposes the war, seems to be gathering strength each day. This was not the case several years ago. The country stood as one to oppose terrorism and the forces that drove it. Sadly, that day has come and gone. Our nation continues to be torn apart by the opposing camps, with neither side prepared to give in.

Our entry into this war on terror, in both Afghanistan and Iraq, was voted for by an overwhelming majority of our Congress in a rare show of bipartisanship. The intelligence agencies of our allies, along with their counterparts in the United States, produced evidence that showed the terror network had to be eradicated. An "axis of evil" existed and had to be torn apart.

Yet, when it became politically advantageous to oppose the war, the Democrats seized the opportunity to begin a process of undermining our war effort. To change course in the middle of a war is never a wise thing to do. The dynamics of war change and armies and countries have to adjust to stay on top of things. Hardly ever does this course of change occur because it became politically advantageous to do. The Democrats played this card with a willing media heralding their voices. The American public also heard this cry and changed the Congress.

Now, America sits with a majority Democratic Congress. Their efforts at "non-binding" resolutions have confounded many in the country. The Democrats control the Congress, but are scared to put their money where their mouth is. Many Republicans have now joined in this chorus to end the war. Yet, the country can't get a binding vote on the issue. The mess is both sordid and repugnant.

America needs to stand up and declare her position. If you are against the war stand up and vote that way. Cut the funds to the troops. The Democrats are trying to make an "end-run" or slowly bleed our troops of their ability to fight a war. That's a cheap shot. Stand up and be counted. Let's encourage our Congress to vote on some real issues about Iraq. We can't "do over" the vote from 2002. But we can be honest about why we now oppose the war! Our fine soldiers deserve to know where America stands. Let's put some bind in our votes.

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