When people find out that I spent a little time in Iraq, inevitably they ask "so, what do you think about what we are doing over there?" Anyone who knows me, knows I am optimistic about what we've done in Iraq, but then again, I saw mostly good. I was never around for morter attacks or suicide bombings... So I am always happy to hear that there are Iraqis who agree with me. As the Iraqis are going through another iteration of elections, it is interesting to see how far they (and we) have come. One Iraqi, when talking about why he was voting for Maliki, said the following:
“I like him because he was successful in improving the security situation and started reconstruction. The important thing for us at that time was safety and now we feel safe.” I think that statement speaks for itself. For a country that has only ever known war, the ability to feel safe is huge! So, what do I think about what we are doing over there? I think we are doing a great job, and I look forward to a day when the Iraqi people can feel safe enough with their own government and military that our sons and daughters can come home for good.
