We are in deep trouble.

On the news recently, I heard an Iraqi citizen say, “The Americans have been here for three months and we still do not have freedom.”

This person has no idea of what freedom is all about.

Freedom is what 300,000 Americans died for to free themselves from the tyranny of a cruel British rule.

Freedom is what millions and millions of Americans have died for to preserve our nation and to help those who are oppressed and who want our kind of freedom.

I served in Vietnam for 30 months, and I saw South Vietnamese who were loving and compassionate, as long as we were there to protect them. As soon as we pulled out, they went right back to the way things were, even before the French tried, and we tried, to bring a democracy to the country.

I believe Iraq will, too, if the United States is not there to provide the military strength. The Iraqi people cannot govern themselves with the determination our forefathers had and with the determination we have to protect our country and our citizens. The people have no army, no leadership, no true will for freedom and self-government. There is total distrust of us, plus no faith in our ability to build their economy.

They simply have no George Washington, no idea of self-rule and democracy.

Let’s not impose these new concepts on those nice folks.

Al Pelletier, Norway

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