Fighting a war of compassion

Now that the United States has successfully colonized Iraq, the world can breathe a welcome sigh of relief. Never again will Saddam Hussein threaten our national security by having control over the second largest oil reserves in the world. Hussein will not hold these long-suffering wells hostage any longer; they have been liberated to pump oil for benevolent contractors like Dick Cheney's Halliburton and Donald Rumsfeld's Bechtel. Truly, it is a watershed moment for humanity; and a beacon of hope for freedom-loving oil wells everywhere, who languish in captivity under tyrannical regimes the world over.

President Bush and his Coalition of the Willing (COW) forces represent the best of freedom and justice-loving nations. If it weren't for countries like Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Eritrea--and their well documented records on human rights, religious tolerance and free elections--the United States would have to face despotic regimes like Iraq, Syria and France unsupported. Let us not forget those nations who stood by our side, like Macedonia; or those who conspired against us, like Germany. To paraphrase William Safire, we will remember our friends--and our enemies.

President Bush has supported our troops every step of the way. Giving countless speeches and umpteen 'thumbs-up,' our President has distinguished himself as a man willing to make the ultimate sacrifice; and if he does not make the ultimate sacrifice personally, he has the presence of mind to send tens of thousands of others to make that sacrifice for him. Such esteem is not reserved solely for American servicemen and women, either; indeed, thousands of Iraqis from all walks of life have been championed in making sacrifices of themselves--oft times without prior knowledge they would be doing so. Millions of Iraqis have gone dutifully without water, food, electricity or medical attention so that first priority could be ensuring the safety of much abused oil wells. No doubt President Bush intends to reward the Iraqi people in the weeks to come, making good on his promise of democracy. It will be with great anticipation that we gather to witness the form of government the Iraqi people choose--as soon as the American military makes its decision. Similarly, veterans returning home from the war will enjoy a special acknowledgement from President Bush in the form of his 2004 budget, which pays particular attention to their needs and the needs of their families. In these ways President Bush makes clear he is a man who understands the meaning of sacrifice.

It is not since the fall of Manuel Noriega in Panama and the lasting victory of the drug war that the world has been spared so great a calamity by so narrow a margin. George Bush has proven that America can fight a war of compassion and win.