by Amanda Horst

Created on: January 31, 2008

It's very easy to say that you were against the war from the very beginning (Congressman Ron Paul and Senator Barack Obama). It's easier to say in retrospect that knowing what you know now, you never would have voted for it (Senator Hillary Clinton). The hard question to answer however is that now that we are there what we are going to do.

We have seen through the years what happens when we go charging in and dropping bombs and then not helping to rebuild the infrastructure. For an example, look to Afghanistan. In the 1980's we helped them get the Soviets out of their country; they fought our war for us. The Soviets devastated Afghanistan, killing men, women and children, taking out schools, homes and government buildings alike. After backing the Mujehadin and arming them against the Soviets, we left as soon as they won. They beat back the Russians, and we left them with a mess. It is no wonder that the people allowed the Taliban to take over; it's not what they wanted, but what were they left with? Many years laterwell I don't think I need to remind you of 9/11, we all remember that day.

As to the current situation, I think we can all agree that the intelligence that brought us to Iraq was faulty (and that's putting it mildly), however we are there. Say that we pull out; what then for the people of Iraq? I have read the other articles written under this title, and they mostly consider a bunch of "I hate Michael Moore" rhetoric with a spike of "We can't leave until it's done". What seems to be considered as "done" is getting rid of the al quada threat. But as Americans we must consider a more humanitarian reason that goes beyond just the safety of our people for the moment. Helping the populace of Iraq get back on it's feet is necessary to a safe Iraq and a safe America. We must help to rebuild the infrastructure. We must help to educate and feed the people. Remember Afghanistan. If we leave now, how many years until another attack on U.S. soil?

So, my question is not just to the candidates who have "been for the war since the beginning" but to all of them; what now? What now?

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