Today's capture of Saddam Hussein is a bipartisan day of joy for America. The powerful images of the Iraqi dictator should make every single American relieved if not happy. The reign of terror is officially over in Iraq and despite any differing opinions on the war this was a necessary step to accomplishing the common goals that all Americans should share at this point in the operation in Iraq, which is to finish building the country and get our troops home.
Today's capture will undoubtedly ensure that Saddam Hussein will never again return to power in Iraq. He will never be allowed to run a cruel, terror-driven regime that relies on murder and intimidation to control a group of people. He will never be able to "cleanse" certain groups out of the population. He won't be able to run torture chambers to keep intelligent Iraqis from challenging him.
This also increases the likelihood that an Iraqi government can be established sooner rather than later. Without having Saddam in custody, there was always going to be a tacit threat in the minds of some Iraqis that the previous practices could occur again in the future. Today, that is basically gone.
While these things are undoubtedly good for the Iraqi people, many selfish American goals are one step closer given today's developments. Everyone in this country supports the troops on both sides of the partisan line. While it is possible and maybe even likely that violence will escalate in the coming months and weeks, an Iraq without Saddam strikes a blow in the hearts of many Saddam supporters. It may strengthen his supporters' resolve in the short-term, but the overwhelming boost to all Iraqis who feared Saddam should be able to overcome that temporary lift.
What this should mean to our troops in Iraq is more willing sources of intelligence. Those who didn't want to put themselves in harm's way given the possibility for an eventual return to power should feel more freedom to give information. Hopefully this will further close the divide between American troops and Iraqi citizens. Iraqis who have been skeptical of American motives can feel strongly that the United States has done something to help a country that has been brutalized for far too long.
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Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
Very thoughtful and well done - if we cant' share a little relief and sense of accomplishment today, when can we?
2 - Hal Pawluk
"should make every single American relieved if not happy."
Get a grip, Craig.
Saddam is a bad guy, it's good he's been captured, but this has nothing to do with the war on terrorism so I don't see where "relief" fits. I'd be more relieved if I saw some signs that the administration understood that getting out of Iraq is going to take international cooperation and assistance, and if they focused on the war on terrorism.
Instead, I see Wolfowitz driving away countries like Canada, which is risking the lives of its citizens in the war on terrorism in Afghanistan. In fact, Canadians have had their troops bombed by Americans but are still there (Relatives of four Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan by an American bomb accepted Bronze Star medals from the United States). Did they really deserve to be mentioned in that memo last week? Did the memo show any kind of sense as foreign policy?
3 - Natalie Davis
Craig, you sure do a lot of speaking for what "every American" thinks or feels. Each person is an individual and is entitled to think or feel whatever each thinks or feels.
As for accomplishment... huh? A disoriented, exhausted man -- a terrorist, yes -- gives himself up without a fight. I can hear the TV detective now: "That was just a bit too easy."
As far as the capture, however it happened, yeah, good. Many more terorrists to go. When they're all being tried for their crimes against humanity, then perhaps I will see fit to celebrate, but only if equality for all is in place.
4 - Craig Lyndall
All I was saying is that given the situation this is a good step for getting troops home. I thought that was the one binding goal for all Americans. Excuse me if I overstepped my bounds.
5 - Natalie Davis
Oh, Craig, it is not a matter of overstepping bounds. It's about accuracy. There are plenty of people who were born here who don't ascribe to nationalistic goals. There is no "all." There are those who do and those who do not.
6 - shannon clement
Please tell me what happened the women that were in prison with Mayada. I feel luck to live in this country and be free. I am glad that we liberated Iraq and feel unhappy that the Democrates are trying to stop the good work of President George w. Bush.