[joanie-f]

The reason this war was begun was based on the fact that Saddam Hussein’s regime is a rogue government determined to wreak untold violence and devastation on its own people, its neighbors, and the free world in general. This rogue nation, and its maniacal leader, are determined not to abide by the rules of civilized behavior (forgive the understatement). They choose instead to see as their destiny the wreaking of havoc on humanity. Iraqis who have fled have testified to torture of Iraqi citizens in ways that would have made Josef Mengele proud.

The fact that there is now a tape circulating that purportedly shows the cold-blooded execution of American POWs, and the harsh interrogation of others – some of whom appear to be injured – should not come as a shock to anyone. I hear commentators decrying the fact that both behaviors (the summary executions, and the interrogations) are in violation of the Geneva Convention. Is this a startling revelation?

It’s time for us to stop being surprised at the barbarism of the Iraqi regime. It’s time to swallow a brutal dose of reality. It doesn’t have to be toxic; it can instead be curative. It depends on how we react to it. We need to take our shock and horror at whatever has occurred, and no doubt will continue to occur, at the hands of the Republican Guard over the duration of this war, and funnel our shock and horror into a renewed resolve and determination to rid the world of this sort of unconscionable malevolence.

If the reports of atrocities committed against our troops are true, there are two (understandable, but to be avoided at all costs) responses that we need to protect ourselves from embracing:

(1) We must not allow ourselves to be diverted from our own determination to fight this war so that we will be able to look back on this part of our history without regret or recrimination. There can be no calls for ‘an eye for an eye’ retribution. Justice will be meted out to the perpetrators – if not in war crimes trials (as it should and must be), then in an eternal justice far more fair and immutable than mankind’s.

(2) We must not allow the soon-to-be deafening screams from the left (as will be manifest in the ratcheting up of the anti-war rhetoric from both the leftist leadership in congress, and their useful idiot supporters walking the streets of San Francisco and other pockets of treason around this country) to dampen our resolve to kill the madman, destroy his weapons, and liberate his people. Images of those who sought to chip away at our national resolve (and succeeded) during the Vietnam era must serve as a warning to us that our troops are in mortal danger, and we must continue to support them …. without reservation.

If indeed the rumors of execution are true, we must steel ourselves for the probability of more of the same. We are confronting the darkest depths of human evil in challenging the leadership of Iraq. But that darkness is the reason we are there. If we run or shrink from it (either literally or figuratively) because the evil has manifest itself yet again – with our own soldiers in its crosshairs this time – then the brave men who died at the hands of these barbarians will have died in vain.

And these sub-human anti-American protestors in San Francisco will be able to say ‘I told you so.’

[tomahawk]

That was a fantastic post. Thanks.

[valleygal]

Great post, joanie.

[cyncooper]

It’s time for us to stop being surprised at the barbarism of the Iraqi regime.

All due respect, I think you've misread the comments here. I can't fathom anyone is surprised at this behavior.

Rumsfeld and the Pentagon are going to handle this and justice will be served, of that I have no doubt.

Since I'm typing I'll pass along a statement Tony Snow just read (from Pentagon? not sure from where it emanated) stating the grave concern the U.S. has with reports of Russia selling items to Iraq they ought not have and the statement referred to the "highest levels" or wording of that nature. I'm sure the exact statement will be posted.

[shezza]

...that darkness is the reason we are there. If we run or shrink from it (either literally or figuratively) because the evil has manifest itself yet again – with our own soldiers in its crosshairs this time – then the brave men who died at the hands of these barbarians will have died in vain.

Bump, bump, and bump.

[First_Salute]

The front lines are everywhere. That was brought home during the 1972 Summer Olympics. Now, our federal government expects frontline Islamic terrorist attacks around the United States; ambushes by the Fedayeen and Hezbollah, real and wannabee; in addition to the obvious work of John Allen Muhammed, Farakhan, Fascists & Co.

[First_Salute]

Thank you.

[Happy2BMe]

Those "sub-humans" in Queer Kingdom San Franchesco are but the bastard offsprings of their commie doper freak mommies and daddies (whom most of them never knew) - they are only doing what they have been taught all their lives - to tear down America.

Note, you don't see the bastards leaving this country in droves, relinquishing their U.S. citizenships, and dawning any uniform but that of stupidity, weakness, instigation, and subversion.

The mayor of San Francisco speaks - Demands Rioting - Calls For Massive Dimrat Uprising . .

Saddam Hussein, on San Francisco television, in a message broadcast after the missiles and bombs hit, telling his comrades they will be victorious and humiliate their enemies. (Photo: IRAQI TV)

Saddam Appeals To Martin Sheen and Hollywood.

Call Them Off - Call Them Off! What Every FReeper Needs to Know - The Enemy Within - (A.N.S.W.E.R.) Plans Mass Sabotage

Freeper Resource: Sleuthing The Iraq-Bin Laden Connection (Redone)