The Iraq War: A Time for Choosing

By Leslie Alexander
Op/Ed
The Catholic American

There is a scene in one of the Rocky movies upon which the outcome of the story hinges. Adrienne has fallen into a coma, and Rocky has been by her side praying for her recovery. Before her illness, Rocky had been training poorly, distracted by his wife's conviction that it is too dangerous for him to continue boxing. His respect for her wishes, though they conflict with his own, are enough to keep him off his game. He has lost his edge.

President Bush has asked Congress and the country to give his Iraq plan a chance. He has acknowledged the tremendous difficulties so far and the disagreement about what to do next. But he reminded individual members of Congress that, almost to a man, they authorized the war by their vote, acting on the same good-faith information his administration--and several other countries--considered in deciding to enter Iraq.

Whatever the opinion of Congress now, the president said, "You did not vote for failure." And whatever fight we thought we were entering, he said, "This is the fight we are in."

We Americans are at a pivotal moment in the story of our republic. We must decide if differences of opinion about the handling of the war justify a radical reversal of policy that could further endanger our security.

We ask you, humbly, to help.

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We must weigh the risks of walking away and the likelihood America's word will never be trusted again.

We must decide if opposition to the war is sufficient cause to break faith with our soldiers and Marines, who have shed blood and died for a cause we told them we believed in.

Finally, we must decide where our deepest commitment lies: to our own capricious opinions or to our national honor.

And we Catholics must understand that it is right and good to support our country in her most difficult hour.

Some members of Congress believe their desire to punish the Bush administration for wartime mistakes justifies betrayal of those who have literally bet their lives on United States policy. For others, the personal animus they hold for the president has so distorted their judgment they are willing to hold any position that could wound the Bush presidency, even if it also delivers a mortal blow to their country,

And some are simply too fearful to give victory a chance, exhibiting a profound lack of courage.

Senate Democrats have promised to introduce a resolution to withhold funding for our troops---the same troops they voted to send there--and deny the reinforcements that could make the difference between life and death. This will send a clear message of no confidence to our armed forces and a clearer message to our enemies: America has lost her will. Let's get packing.

But American resolve does not start and end with Washington. It does not start and end with pampered Hollywood actors, whose pretense of concern for the welfare of the troops is so phony a child could see through it.

American resolve starts and ends with the American people.

In the Rocky movie, Adrienne wakes up and realizes she has been a detriment to her husband. For as sincere as her concerns about his safety are, his heart is inside the ring. She realizes it is her lack of support, not the boxing itself, which may destroy him.

When Rocky asks his wife if there is anything she needs from him, she answers firmly: "Win."

Those who have paid the ultimate price in Iraq rest quietly in the earth, awaiting their vindication. And those who still fight wait to hear from us.

It is time for every member of the United States Congress and every American to provide those who serve with the support they have earned: "Win."

Light Your Virtual Prayer Candle For a Loved One

________________

Leslie Alexander is a Catholic and an American. She writes from Lafayette, LA and can be reached at caralesliealexander@yahoo.com.

Contact

The Catholic American
caralesliealexander@yahoo.com LA, US
Leslie Alexander - Staff Writer, 337 258=8852

Email

caralesliealexander@yahoo.com

Keywords

Iraq

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