Posted on 02/07/2006 4:32:03 PM PST by SandRat
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb. 6, 2006 — After years of war, sanctions, insurgency and occupation, it is difficult for some Iraqis to remember what "normal" is. Many see the media reports of a car bomb here or an attack there and think this happens everywhere in Iraq on a daily basis. Not true. While violence happens all too often around Iraq, it is not normal nor something Iraqis should accept. Normal life is an economy where a young man can go out and find a job, build a career or ultimately own his own business. Normal is the ability to get married, raise a family and live in a community without fear. Normal is pursuing an education, at fine institutions of learning. Finally, normal is having a representative government that looks out for the best interest of its citizens and ensures that basic quality of life issues such as electricity, water, sewage and transportation are taken care of for everyone and not just the few.
However, there are those that will stop at nothing to dominate the lives of normal Iraqis and subjugate them to their vision of how the world should be. This was clearly highlighted in a letter last fall from Zawahiri to Zaraqawi outlining al-Qaida's desire to establish a Caliphate in Iraq and export terrorism across the Middle East. There are daily examples of how terrorists want to take control and deny Iraqis their future. Just last week a suicide bomber killed at least eight and wounded about 30 men waiting for work in eastern Baghdad. Recently in Basra, a terrorist planted a
bomb near a school building wall, injuring scores of innocent children. Throughout the year, terrorists have targeted churches and mosques killing those seeking refuge in prayer.
Seeking work, going to school and praying is normal. Denying people's rights to do so is not. While there is more to do, much of Iraq is returning to a semblance of normalcy. The vast majority of provinces are relatively peaceful with people rebuilding their lives. There are increasing signs that divisions between insurgents and Iraqis are widening. Attack trends over the past year are down as well as overall casualties.
As we approach the upcoming Ashoura holiday marking the anniversary of the martyrdom of the 3rd Imam Al Hussein (the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad), terrorists will continue to offer the people of Iraq nothing but death, destruction and a return to oppression.
Let this period be a peaceful recognition of Hussein's sacrifice as the new Iraqi government, along with the Multi-National Force-Iraq, transition to a progressive vision of the future and a return to normalcy.
Gen Casey makes a SLAM DUNK!!!
"Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered." Thomas Paine.
General Casey hits the bullseye once again! Great post, SandRat!
BTTT!!!
BTT
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