| The most difficult conflict I have faced since taking office more than ten years ago is the loss of American life in Iraq over the last two years. The events of September 11, 2001 set off a series of actions and responses that only history will validate. I have great confidence in the leadership and the people of the United States of America. President Bush and many leaders in Congress from both parties saw the need to take military action to remove Saddam Hussein and end his tyrannical regime.
I continue to hear from Tennesseans in full support of our troops, but somewhat concerned about the instability heading into the open and free elections in Iraq. I continue to communicate with troops in the field and families at this critical moment as we look forward to the coming days and suffer through the loss of American life together as a nation.
All missions, such as this, have certain very unfortunate effects and do bring about casualties and misery. However, we have committed powerfully to free elections and representative government in Iraq. We must pull together, stand by our troops, stabilize the region as much as possible, and finish the job.
John Stuart Mill of Great Britain once said, "The man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature who has no chance of ever being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." His words ring as true today as they did in his day.
In this new era of global terrorism, we cannot sit back and hope they do not attack us again. We must pursue al Qaeda and drive back the insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan. We cannot afford to fail and we must not retreat. I, for one, am very grateful that the "better men" in John Stuart Mill's closing sentence are the men and women wearing the uniform of the American Armed Forces. They have courageously volunteered and offered themselves in support of freedom and lasting peace around the world. May God be with them. |
