Submitted by John House, Sep 15, 2007 23:45

With sadness I note that Abu Risha is only the most recent of Iraqis who took outstanding risks for freedom and paid the ultimate price for that freedom.

My frustration is with people like President Bush and his subordinates who invaded a country and created a power vacuum ripe for our enemies to exploit. This war is a fools gamble with American lives and with a great many more Iraqi lives. General Pace's analysis sounds like something from a third grade social studies book, not a thoughtful and seasoned commander's strategy.

It is not enough to say Saddam was a dictator and butcher. Your alternative must provide the stability and security which US policy to date lacks. It is very poor to start a war when you have an alternative. It is plain nuts to start a war in that circumstance, to exact such Abu Risha paid for freedom, and then use such a weak strategy that you are losing.

If American diplomats and soldiers correct this one honorably, they will have overcome Al Qaida, neocon arrogance, and Bush's incompetence all at once...the greatest victory since WWII.

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