A War We Didn't Ask For

Susan Harrison

In recent weeks of the Presidential campaign, Senators Kerry and Edwards have repeatedly proclaimed that America has borne 90 percent of the casualties and 90 percent of the costs in Iraq. Both men brandish this statistic as though it were some grand trump card, some grand indictment of the President.

Not to detract from Vice President Cheney’s excellent rebuttal, I have to wonder if anyone shares my reaction: Whether the appropriate figure is 90 percent or 50 percent or something else, America bore 100 percent of the casualties on 9/11. I’m no scholar or diplomat or militarist. But as an engaged citizen and mother of three children, I tend to think it’s okay if we bear all the costs. We need to be grateful for every contribution our allies make, not scoff at their “10 percent” of the effort.

That September day – the last and most devastating in a series of attacks on Americans – was a rude awakening. We didn’t ask for this war. When I tuck my children in bed and touch their soft faces, I hope for a peaceful world for them. Yet hiding across the ocean and wishing for a change of heart among terrorists seems vain. Awaiting the approval of every ally - or even most allies - seems foolish. We had to respond, with or without international support. And we had to be forceful and effective.

Whether you think the Iraq war was a tactical mistake or not, it has accomplished one thing: it has brought the barbaric nature of our foes into painful focus. What once seemed far removed, constrained to the buses and restaurants of Israel, has pierced our national consciousness. As if the events of September 11th were not enough, we now witness terrorist cowards who kidnap civilians, cut off their heads, videotape, and celebrate these inhumane acts. They blow up schools, churches and hotels. They not only kill our soldiers, but also mutilate and dismember their bodies, then dance around them. You know something is seriously wrong when women, typically nurturers and defenders of innocence, strap bombs to their bodies and blow up other women and children.

From the nightclubs of Bali to the school grounds of Beslan, this Lord of the Flies sort of savagery is deeply unsettling. Even worse, these are not isolated incidents wrought by a few crazies. Videos from various locations show hundreds of people laughing and cheering these atrocities. It’s a much bigger issue than simply hunting down and killing terrorists, as Kerry promises. It’s a horrific clash of cultures. And it underscores the importance of President Bush’s initiative to bring freedom to the Middle East, to empower the civilized and reasoned citizens of these regions through representative government.

The tough guy rhetoric of Kerry, best known for his anti-war activities, and Edwards, a baby-faced trial lawyer, rings hollow to me. Last year, Kerry voted to allow partial birth abortion, a gruesome method of terminating late-term babies. How can I trust him to protect my children? Kerry has admitted to war crimes against Vietnamese civilians. How can he stand against the war crimes of terrorists? He calls the Iraq war a diversion and a mistake. How can he inspire our troops in battle there? He insults our allies and the new leader of Iraq. How can he effectively manage international diplomacy?

Our oldest child watched the town-hall debate. Her reaction? “Kerry just keeps saying ‘I have a plan,’” she said. “He says it over and over.”

Plans are fine. Accomplishments are better. And character is the trump card in my book. We need to elect a President with the moral authority, vision and conviction to prosecute a global war on terror. We need to elect a man who will be strong on behalf of those of us who feel so fainthearted. I pray we will re-elect President Bush.