Operation Iraqi Freedom - Plus Three

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Today is my birthday, and the third anniversary of the beginning of hostilities in Iraq. For those of you who have already sent me E-cards and E-mails... THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! It is wonderful to have such good friends.

I am forced to admit however, that on the opening day of hostilities in Iraq, when I heard that a bomber had been dispatched to bomb a location where Saddam Hussein was suspected to be, I thought... "What a great birthday present that would be!" Mind you, it was fleeting. It's not good to wish for anyone's death -- not even that of an evil dictator like Saddam. And, as we all soon found out, it was not to be. Saddam is still around, and still a pain in the rear... but at least he's not in power.

After three years of hostilities, it's hard to say with any certainty that I think this war was a good birthday present. Considering the deaths of 2318 Americans, 103 Brits, 27 Italians, 18 Ukrainians, 17 Poles, 13 Bulgarians, 11 Spaniards, 3 Slovakians, and 1 or 2 each from Australia, Denmark, El Salvador, Estonia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Netherlands and Thailand... one cannot say "Thank You" for such a present. It comes at too high a price. And considering that thousands of Iraqis have died as well, and thousands more Coalition forces and Iraqis have been wounded, it certainly gives one reason to pause and consider whether this war was the right thing to do.

Despite the tragic loss of life and despite the maimed and wounded, I believe however, that I think it WAS the right thing to do. Let's consider for a moment the results to date...

Saddam Hussein (brutal dictator) -- No longer in power.

Uday and Qusay (his brutal sons) -- Dead.

Saddam Hussein -- Captured and standing trial.

Majority of Iraqi "Most-Wanted" -- Captured or killed.

Status of 26 million Iraqis -- Freedom.

Mass graves -- No longer being populated.

Rape rooms -- No longer in operation.

Torture chambers -- Out of service.

Pay-offs to Palestinian homicide bombers -- Ceased.

Government support for terrorists like al-Zarqawi -- Ceased.

Government support for terrorists like Ansar al-Islam -- Ceased.

Pay-offs to UN officials (Oil-For-Food program) -- Ceased.

Pay-offs to Europeans (Oil-For-Food program) -- Ceased.

Pay-offs to Russians (Oil-For-Food program) -- Ceased.

Missile attacks on American over-flight pilots -- Ceased.

Threat of Iraqi WMD programs -- Ceased.

Schools -- Rebuilt or being rebuilt.

Hospitals -- Rebuilt or being rebuilt.

Power Stations -- Rebuilt or being rebuilt.

Water Plants -- Rebuilt or being rebuilt.

Constitution -- Written and being implemented.

Elections -- Three major elections conducted to-date.

Politics -- Almost as bad as America.

Coalition Forces -- Respected and thanked by most Iraqis.

Coalition Forces -- Respected and thanked by most Americans.

Iraqi Army -- Taking on more responsibility.

U.S. Military -- Giving Iraqis more responsibility.

Iraqi Economy -- Growing and vibrant.

Recent Visitors -- Things are better than the media portrays.

Current Situation -- Still dangerous.

Sectarian Violence -- A sad reality, but not widespread.

Civil War -- Not happening according to recent visitors.

Poll of Iraqis -- Extremely optimistic about the coming year.

When compared to other wars in U.S. history, this war is far from the worst...

War		Deaths
Revolutionary War		4,435
War of 1812		2,260
Mexican War		1,733
Civil War		140,414
World War I		53,513
World War II		292,131
Korean War		33,651
Vietnam War		47,369

I think history will look back and say that this venture was a huge success. In the meantime, it is painful to endure. My deepest condolences go out to the families of those who have been lost or injured. My heartfelt thanks and gratitude go out to all those who have served with honor. May God's richest blessings be upon you and upon the Iraqis who have benefited from your service. And may God Bless the United States of America.