Skip to main content

The war in Iraq is a war for freedom


Once the Soviet Union fell in the late 1980’s, the United States became the last international superpower.

Once this took place, we assumed the responsibility, whether we wanted it or not, that comes with that power. America became a target of intense scrutiny, resentment, and fear.

Nothing has brought more scrutiny on America in these recent years, as the current war with Iraq.

Scores of protesters all around the world, and some in our own country have flocked to avert a war, citing its illegality, immorality, and its consequences on innocent civilians, both Iraqi and American.

Let me say that I am proud to live in a country where anyone is free to question their leaders, and I respect the opinions of all people, regardless of race, gender, or creed.

But I think many people are missing the real issue, or are uniformed of all the facts.

Many protesters say that Saddam did not pose us any threat, especially while U.N. inspectors were in Iraq and our troops were at it’s border.

Well, your right, he didn’t pose U.S. any threat. But, what about his own people?

Saddam rules his country with a shadow of fear. If any oppose him, they will face the ultimate price.

Need an example? Did you know that Saddam takes the wives and daughters of those who oppose him, lines them up in front of a viewing window, then has them brutally raped and murdered in front of their husband’s and father’s eyes?

And how many other atrocities go unnoticed, by the United Nations and others?

Is this not terrorism?

Is this not what we have said we wanted to end when the towers came crashing down?

There was a similar situation in Kosovo years ago. Slobadan Milosevic, a Hitler-esque dictator, murdered hundreds of thousands of innocent people in his own country.

What did the United Nations do? Absolutely nothing. They tried to find a diplomatic solution while thousands were dying, and thousands more were living in constant fear.

So who stepped in in this time of need? That’s right, the United States. We eliminated the terrorist regime, and brought freedom to thousands.

No one protested war then, so why is the war in Iraq any different?

These people have suffered and are still suffering from many of the same atrocities that were committed in Kosovo.

Don’t they deserve the same freedom you and I take for granted on a daily basis?

Let me also address the issue of this war being what some say “internationally illegal.”

First of all, the United States is a sovereign country, free from all the rules and regulations of any international governing body (the United Nations). This means that we have a right to do whatever we wish, be it war or anything else.

Just because we are a member of the United Nations does not mean we are somehow obligated to follow their mandates.

So, the simple fact is that it can’t be an illegal war, because we are governed by our own set of rules, not those of the international community.

In war lives are always lost, sometimes innocent lives, but should that keep us from fighting for the things that matter most in this world, most notably, freedom?

As Kahlil Gibran once said, “Safeguarding the rights of others is the most noble and beautiful end of a human being.”

Josh Kugler is a senior Communications major from Rutherford.