JOSH SWARTZLANDER / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Tuesday, June 28, 2005 7:00 pm
Iraqis living in Lincoln, mothers with sons serving overseas and public officials might not all agree about whether the United States should have invaded Iraq in 2003. But many on Tuesday agreed with President George W. Bush when he said in a speech that the United States should finish the job it started.
"We can't leave until the job is done," said Pat Saldana, whose son, Matthew Neumann, a U.S. Marine, just began his second tour of duty in the Middle East. "We can't abandon the Iraqi people."
Saldana, who opposed the invasion of Iraq, said Bush did a good job explaining why the United States can't leave now.
But she still wants more information such as how the president plans to quickly build democratic institutions, defeat the insurgency and protect U.S. troops.
"There were no specifics, and that, to me, was disturbing," she said.
Jowad Al-Helfi, an Iraqi living in Lincoln, said he welcomes Bush's strong statement of commitment.
"The regime in Iraq was like a cancer," he said. "It cannot be treated quickly."
Many Americans underestimate the importance of bringing democracy to the Middle East, Al-Helfi said. The war in Iraq is more than just the liberation of a country, he said. It's also a symbolic front in the war on terror.
It's true that the war has lasted longer that the administration predicted, he said. And it's true that more than 1,700 U.S. military personnel and 12,000 Iraqis have been killed.
"It's worth it," Al-Helfi said. "What do you think you need to birth a whole new country? I am very optimistic with the progress."
The goal of insurgents is to drive the United States out of Iraq by creating mayhem, by killing people and by swaying U.S. public opinion against the war. If the United States backs down, the terrorists claim victory, Al-Helfi said.
But if the United States succeeds in bringing democracy to Iraq, the will of terrorist organizations will be broken, he said.
Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., agreed.
"I have had differences with the administration over the planning and execution of our post-war policy in Iraq," he said. "However, we all are working toward finding a way to succeed in Iraq."
Reach Josh Swartzlander at 473-7120 or jswartzlander@journalstar.com.