|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|||
|
Where've
You Been?
I'll never forget a story from the Gulf War in 1991 when our troops were confronted by a mob of Iraqi soldiers with hands raised in surrender. Among these forlorn combatants was a young man who stepped forward, pulling off his Iraqi Army shirt to reveal a T-shirt emblazoned with the Chicago Bulls logo. Then in flawless English he said, "Where've you guys been?" It just so happens that this young Iraqi-American was from Chicago. During the summer of 1990 he traveled to Iraq to visit family. When Saddam Hussein launched his attack on Kuwait, all able-bodied young men were immediately enlisted in the Iraqi Army. He was vociferous in his declaration that he was an American citizen, and had no desire to serve in the Iraqi Army. All to no avail. So he did his best to position himself to surrender the first opportunity he had, assuming he survived long enough. Today as I listen to the various news programs, there are often interviews with Iraqis who have escaped the clutches of Saddam, and are able to breathe the free air of America. When asked if the Iraqi people will welcome the American/British liberators should war come, the answer has always been to the affirmative. In fact, the only statements I hear that they will fight us at every turn come from those in America and Europe who are opposed to any war with Iraq. None of them are Iraqis, nor of Iraqi descent. I've heard the stories and read too many reports about the atrocious acts Saddam Hussein perpetrates on his own people, not to mention those whom he deems to be his enemy. The people of Iraq long to be delivered from so oppressive a ruler as this. The spy networks at work within Iraq by Iraqis on Iraqis stifles even the slimmest hope of freedom. Fear reigns at every turn. No one feels safe. Saddam has lopped off the heads of his own family members. Is anyone within the geographic boundaries of Iraq safe? I'm American born and bred. I thank God every day for the privilege of having been born in the U.S.A. I have lived in many places around this world, seeing things that I'd rather forget. I was a young Marine in the Philippines during the time Ferdinand Marcos established martial law. There was no deference shown to Americans, I can assure you of that. If you were out on the street after curfew, more likely than not the local, well-armed constabulary would shoot first and ask questions later. This was no way to live! The Iraqi people have known freedom in the past. Yet for three decades they have been under the boot heel of Saddam, who rules by fear and intimidation. If it comes to war, as it surely seems it will, how will we be received? I suspect we will hear over and over again, "Where've you been?" |
