For the most part, anniversaries are a cause for celebration, but on this occasion, we ought to hang our heads low.
It was four long years ago when the United States waged war with Iraq, many standing strong behind the president's decision as well as Congress' financial backing of the effort. In hindsight, we now know better.
Little did we realize the quagmire that lay ahead, one that persists, growing with each passing day. The solution to such a problem as this one is not easy.
Many say that it's time to pull out. England intends to do just that - but can the U.S. in good faith take the same course of action and simply abandon the crisis they initiated while leaving a nation's people to fend for themselves? Or should we explore other avenues better suited for the long-term.
Either way, is that what truly matters?
Four years into a dangerous conflict with an unscrupulous enemy has left thousands of U.S. soldiers dead, while many, many more Iraqis met the same fate. Most Americans and people the world over want the situation to be quelled as soon as manageably possible, yet few have offered equitable solutions.
In the time that the U.S. has been at war with Iraq, one could have obtained their very own baccalaureate degree. Nearly every American has been exposed to vast amounts of information on the Iraq conflict in the last four years, and many have drawn conclusions as to whether they support the effort or not, and if not, then how to remedy the circumstances.
How does one go about mending long-open wounds?
Spouting off a solution limited to a single sentence - two words, no less ("pull out") - shows that one is not nearly prepared to walk across the proverbial stage. A proper solution is far more detailed. It may be time to hit the books one last time before taking the final exam.
Being quick to share an uneducated opinion results in great conversation among like-minded peers, but it is only after accepting, absorbing and mulling over facts that one's opinion will outshine all others - it's not just about who can speak the loudest. Unfortunately, this practice is exactly what got us into Iraq in the first place.
Middle Eastern society is far different from our own, and it is clear that we entered into a battle ill-prepared for meeting the needs and addressing the concerns of this foreign community. Many of our decisions, word choices and actions are viewed much differently and have cost us immensely. The only recourse we have is to wisen-up before making any further missteps - such action should be taken by everyone from our elected officials to our young protesters quick to interject their own solution.
There's no ignoring the constant barrage of media reports, television specials and magazine features that cover Iraq. It takes but minutes to find pages of accurate Middle Eastern historical information and detailed material on the Islamic faith. And it is not hard to find a young man or woman who has seen the conflict first-hand. All of these sources, when approached with open, accepting arms, can provide a wealth of information, and turn an uneducated rant into a thought-provoking, meaningful monologue.
Today the U.S. faces tremendous debt - our elected officials in Washington are reminded of this each day as they walk through the sobering halls of their congressional office buildings. The country of Iraq is visibly ravaged, and this country's people want answers. Politicians looking for attention use the war as a means to garner support. And still, we have nothing to show for it.
As the world turns and people talk, nothing gets done. As each day goes by and no definitive plan is set, no progress has been made. As we sit in class, watch TV and update our Facebook pages, people are losing their lives. Educated action is crucial.
As it stands, American and Middle Eastern cultures do not mesh well. Our cultures are vastly different, and to even think of forcing our ways onto another society is foolish. It is clear that we were uneducated going into battle - before making any further mistakes, lets arm ourselves with the appropriate knowledge so as to make the best of our dire predicament.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
