A Clear Line in the Sand

When the Bush administration invaded the sovereign nation of Iraq, one stated intention was to topple the brutal dictatorship of Saddam Hussein and install democracy in the nation. On May 2, 2003, President Bush declared an end to hostilities in Iraq aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. From that day forward the United States military, on the orders of the Bush administration, has been involved in a violent and bloody occupation of Iraq.

In May of 2007 President Bush is quoted as saying, “If they (the Iraqi’s) were to say leave, we would leave.” It now appears that the democratic government installed in Iraq by the Bush administration has matured to the point that they are telling the U.S. military, “leave.”

Senator Barack Obama is pushing for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq in 16 months, which Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki seems to be pleased with. Senator John McCain has resisted any timetable for the withdrawal of troops, insisting that any withdrawal of troops must be based on conditions on the ground.

So it seems that a clear line has been drawn in the sand. Vote for Senator Ohama and vote for a systematic withdrawal of U.S. troops with a clear end in sight or vote for Senator McCain and vote for continued occupation of Iraq with no discernable end in sight.

The upcoming presidential election is not a popularity contest. Real issues are at stake. Every vote will count. Be informed and then vote.