Terrorism insurance: Three-year anniversary policy now available

Three years and approaching 2,500 deaths ago, our administration stressed that urgent action be taken against Iraq in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

With the U.S. population almost completely behind him, President Bush and friends' rounded-up American forces to hunt down Saddam Hussein and supposed weapons of mass destruction. Nothing new about that story. A quick, easy mission was expected, but we are well aware that what happened was quite the opposite.

Quick and easy. It is uncertain if these words can be used describing any part of the conflict in which we are currently involved.

The only instance this reporter can think of to use these words concerning the war in Iraq is to describe our leaders' repetitive rhetoric when promising a success in Iraq. The relentless speeches we hear, although sometimes difficult for President Bush to deliver. are short and sugarcoated, never dealing with difficult issues. American citizens and the families of troops deserve answers.

The same speech, the one primarily focused on the promotion of peace and "Iraqi freedom," has been drilled into our minds hundreds of times. The situation at hand, however, is not the same. It changes every single day.

Assorted forms of homicide, suicide, torture and deception adapt to the hostile environment and thrive like the most malignant form of cancer. We have witnessed the terrorists expand and outsmart our government as we neglect to reevaluate our cause in this area. Still, we listen to the same message.

Our troops remain loyal to their cause while regular citizens continue to relish them with support, however daunting their mission might appear from home. The percentages show complete support for the troops, while support for the leaders of this war lingers around a measly 30 percent. Trust is most imperative when in a leadership position and a percentage so incredibly low is a frightening revelation of an American approval that must be improved.

Extreme leftist Democrats have even established a strong contingency aimed at impeaching President Bush. It is doubtful that this is the direction the American people wish to be steered. The last thing we need at this extremely fragile time is to undergo the same impeachment process we witnessed with former president Bill Clinton.

In the end, we want to see our troops come home. Home is where the sons, daughters. mothers and fathers in battle can fmd a much-desired safety. No mother, father or loved one wants to see their soldier fall victim in a war where the purpose is still quite blurry.

It is hard to say, but it must be said. The war appears as if it is a big mess, quickly growing worse. The increasing number of attacks and deaths along with the fact that terrorism insurance is now available in Iraq for $90 a year surely provides evidence of this notion.

The effort to reconcile relations between Democrats and Republicans appears as promising as the initiative to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. We need our leadership to unite more than ever at this time. The administration should have never told the American people that we would be able to change the lifestyles of a group of people that have been living the same beliefs for centuries in just a year or two.

It is understood that Saddam was a murderer and the world is better off without him in power, but there are far too many areas of confusion and secrecy at the present time to support the conflict in which we are engaged. We want our troops home and we want the truth.