Happy Anniversary? For Many in Iraq, Bush Thinks Five Years of “Operation” Means Just That

Today’s five year anniversary of the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom provided President Bush with an opportunity to reflect upon the successes his administration has had in restoring democracy, securing America, and championing terror in the Middle East.

The President spoke before a room packed with high ranking military officials with a speech focused on thanking the armed forces, defending the tough decisions he has made as Commander-in-Chief since the terrorist attacks of September 11th, and his insistence that the battle that currently rages on in Iraq is one we “must win.”

Citing the fact that Iraqi’s now hold free elections, Bush noted that Iraqi citizens are able to enjoy freedoms they could only dream of under the brutal Sadaam Hussein, a dictator Bush noted, “We got.”

Bush acknowledged that winning in Iraq has been longer and more expensive than his administration initially assumed. Should we leave now Bush maintained, we would risk “emboldening” yet-to-be-found terrorists, obsessed with harming the American people. Bush also noted the success the “surge” US forces working to combat terror has had. Today, said the President, more than 90,000 Iraqi’s fight for their country alongside the United States.

Bush explained that criticisms about the cost of the war have been “exaggerated.” “Men and women,” Bush said, “who love liberty, can defeat the terrorists.” Hopefully, when the 10 year anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom is reached, American’s can reflect upon a war finally over, not one still raging on.