The Issue: The complete withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, marking an end to the eight-year war.
***
In Iraq, we deposed a sworn enemy and tyrant who had invaded two neighboring countries (“What Iraq Changed,” Editorial, Dec. 16).
We made an example of Saddam Hussein in the wake of 9/11. We dealt al Qaeda a crushing military and ideological defeat, and we birthed the first Arab democracy.
Iraq should be recognized as the great victory that it is, and those who see it as a source of national shame have no business leading this country.
Tom Backis
Staten Island
***
The last two sentences of your editorial are its signature statement, but, besides that, much of your view appears misguided.
You state that “the war was clearly grounded in US self-interest” and that it was “motivated by America’s love of freedom and revulsion of despotism.”
The United States invaded Iraq because of the hysteria that it had weapons of mass destruction and was a growing threat to US security, which turned out to be wrong.
Whatever apparent good was gained took over eight years, with 4,500 Americans killed, over 32,000 injured and $800 billion and counting.
You state: “Mission Accomplished? Perhaps.”
But that’s not a rousing reason to cheer victory after such sacrifice.
Manny Martin
Manhattan
***
Notwithstanding our numerous losses of life and limb, we appear to have begun a democratic climb upward for Iraq and the rest of the Middle East.
Thank you, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and all the wonderful military men and women who served.
God bless America!
Nancy Jancourtz
Brooklyn
***
In January 2009, President Obama took office with 142,000 US troops stationed in Iraq. Today, there are zero.
Our combat mission in Iraq has ended, and the Iraqi people now have full responsibility for the security of their nation.
Obama has kept his word and brought the war in Iraq to a responsible end.
Iraq still faces challenges in the coming years, but, as Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stated, “Iraq is equipped to deal with them.”
Obama remains committed to Iraq’s long-term security and to the success of our service members when they return home.
As thousands of New Yorkers return home from Iraq, we must once again reaffirm our commitment and responsibility to support service members and their families by providing quality health care, access to education, training to reenter the civilian workforce and job-placement services and encouraging companies to hire our troops.
Matthew Silverstein
Queens
***
It was good to read about another side of the war in Iraq (“Looking Back at Iraq,” Carlos Gomez, PostOpinion, Dec. 16).
Maj. Gomez reflects on his two tours of duty and writes about digging an eight-mile canal to bring fresh water to a local village: “We made a difference over there, giving a lot of Iraqi kids a chance at a brighter future.”
American military personnel are the most caring and generous people in the world. They give of themselves to help the local people, particularly the children.
We are leaving behind many schools, roads and water projects that make the everyday life of the Iraqi people a little better.
Thank you, Maj. Gomez, and all those who served.
Tom Lienhard
Westfield, NJ