Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

Matthew Dulin         Geronimo Rodriguez        Shaun Salnave          Cara Sarelli

These colors don't bleed

Since Saddam Hussein failed to leave Iraq before the deadline assigned by President Bush, we can now wave goodbye to both a peaceful resolution and our troops as the looming war breaks out into violence, death and destruction.

The president claims that adequate attempts at diplomacy have been made and since they failed, it is time for military force. He has rallied his allies and begun the attack on Iraq in an effort to "meet conflict head on" and "bring freedom to others."

America's patience with Saddam has worn thin. We are disgusted with the way his people live, suffering under a tyrannical regime. Bush's campaign to change Iraq's regime and provide better living conditions for its people will be carried out by the brave members of our armed forces.

Many citizens have voiced their opinions about Bush's lack of justification for war, but when it's all said and done we can assume that no matter what the reasons for the war are, everyone's worried about our nation's sons and daughters who will be fighting it.

Remember that just because someone opposes the war, it does not necessarily mean he or she does not wish our troops the best. Whether for or against the war, all people should support our troops and hope our loved ones will remain brave and safe in the face of danger, and that they will soon return home. Let's pray this campaign does not turn into another Vietnam War.

We should remember that many troops did not enlist expecting to fight in battle. Many soldiers, barely out of high school, signed up to finance their college education. Some joined to stay out of trouble, while others joined to receive vocational training. 

Whatever their reasons for joining, our troops aren't bloodthirsty warmongers sitting around waiting for a good fight. They will fight the Iraqi soldiers not because they necessarily want war, but because they are doing a job, just like the rest of us ­ except their jobs may get them killed.

Let's hope that the war will end soon ­ that Saddam's capture and the discovery of weapons will hurry our friends and family home.

Let's hope a deprived nation will know a new liberation, and that our servicemen and -women are not putting their lives at risk in vain.

 Send comments to dccampus@mail.uh.edu