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This debate is one that is adversely affecting the United States and making this country more disliked by what was once a world that admired America.

The presence of the U.S. military ground forces in Iraq is fueling the anti-American sentiment not only among Muslims, but also among European and Asian countries that were once loyal allies.

Imagine how the U.S. would feel if Russia invaded Iraq, overthrew its dictator and maintained its unwelcome presence in that area. Americans would at first be understanding if Russia had experienced something similar to 9/11. But as time wore on, we would certainly be questioning Russia's motives and its wartime ability.

We would be laughing at Russia.

The strategy for President Bush and his staff is clear: Ride out the storm no matter how many casualties because someday a democratic society will exist in Iraq. Is that a sound judgment or a pipe dream? The families of the more than 3,000 American soldiers who have died in Iraq painfully know the answer.

This country knows the answer, but it's leaders will not accept the notion of defeat by pulling out of Iraq. The core of the blame not only rests on Bush's shoulders, but also on the Democrats, who were given a mandate in the 2006 election by gaining a majority of the House and Senate.

They proposed a bill that established a time line for our troops to be removed, and Bush, as expected, vetoed the bill. What did the Democrats do? They did not push the bill further, but instead backed down from their demands.

Americans need strength from their leaders now more than ever and that is not happening from Bush to Hillary Clinton.

Bush believes that a strong American presence in Iraq will send a message to the Middle East and terrorists in general that the U.S. can tread that land. However, as it is right now, with American deaths being reported daily, the U.S. has more of a weak image.

The best way for the U.S. to restore its image, and reduce the violence in that region, would be to show dignity and pull its ground troops out of Iraq gradually. Imagine what Bush's approval rating would be right now if he had ordered a majority of the ground troops out of Iraq and into Afghanistan to search for Osama Bin Laden and members of Al-Qaida after successfully ousting Saddam Hussein?

What is obvious now is Bush had no plan for Iraq after removing Hussein and our soldiers are paying the price. Our image of power is paying the price.

The U.S. needs to make the right move and that move is not staying the course that Bush has set in Iraq. That clearly is not working. The right move, therefore, is doing the opposite: Take the ground troops out of Iraq gradually, while maintaining the threat of air raids on terrorist cells.

Learn more about this author, Javier Morales.
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