War of Choice

[mcgonser]

War was a choice

President Obama has received the expected criticism from his opponents for a speech in Cairo last week, even being called un-American a time or two.

Much of the criticism seemed to center on the president saying Iraq was a "war of choice," while he was on foreign soil. Cairo maybe wasn't the best place to utter the phrase, but in truth Iraq was, is a war of choice.

The United States was not directly attacked by Iraq in 2001, nor were its allies

Now, the question is, was this a good choice by President Bush to invade Iraq and topple Saddam Hussein?

I personally think it was. The invasion eventually led to the execution of a horrible dictator and gave the people of Iraq a chance to determine, for once, their own destiny. Hopefully, the decision will lead to a stable Iraq in a more stable Middle East.

Others, likely including our current president, disagree that going to war was the right thing to do.

The final outcome, however, is still being determined. And that's where Obama is open for plenty of criticism. If the president decides to leave Iraq before that nation is really ready, then it and the entire area could turn more chaotic. That, in this view, would hurt the entire world, not just the image of the United States. It's absolutely critical to finish the job, regardless of how you feel about it's beginning.

Still, it's not un-American to call Iraq a war of choice - because it was. And saying so takes nothing away from the heroism, sacrifice and bravery of those who serve in our military.

Johnny McMahan is managing editor of the Woodward News.