Storm Clouds over the Desert

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Storm Clouds over the Desert
by Robert Yoho, Columnist and Senior Editor

March 17, 2003

"Eye on Conservatism"

Columnist Robert Yoho It may only be a matter of days before the United States—with or without a coalition—goes to war in the Middle East.

As the United States gets ready to go to war with Iraq, nobody can say for sure what will happen. Even the best experts on the region have no idea how the battle might unfold. I do, however, believe that this will not be a long war! It should be over in a matter of days—or no more than a month. The victory will be quick, overwhelming and decisive.

Unlike Desert Storm, we are trying to do more than drive the invaders out of Kuwait. Although we are once again back in the Gulf region, our military are fighting for the security of our homeland. That is certainly a formidable challenge.

But this time, I believe the bombing and introduction of ground troops will be sudden and simultaneous. The Iraqis have not seen the level of devastation they are facing under this commander-in-chief. The arsenal of democracy is pointed squarely at the head of Saddam Hussein. The man will be removed from power or the man will be removed from the earth. Our military does not care which! And once the fighting starts, the decision will no longer be Saddam’s.

However, victory will not come without the loss of American lives. Some of our military personnel will pay the ultimate price. History has taught us that it is the blood of patriots that germinates the seeds of liberty. America will now cultivate a new garden in Baghdad and the Iraqi people will finally taste the bounty of freedom.

Although the difficulty level of this mission is clearly higher than Desert Storm, it does not mean we will fail to accomplish our objectives. Military technology and armaments have come a long way since the last time we took on Hussein. And those are not the only changes that America has undergone in the past decade. The forces of evil and terrorism drew first blood on our own shores. Now, all bets are off!

President George W. Bush has already led this nation into a war against terrorism. And this is no longer his father’s military!

Since the attacks of September 11th, America has been transformed. Although tattered and bloodstained, Old Glory is still there! Proudly and defiantly, the flag continues to wave. In our darkest hours, reluctant heroes bravely stepped forward from the smoke and devastation. Now, a peace-loving Uncle Sam operates on a short temper and Lady Liberty shines her torch in the caves and bunkers where evildoers hide.

We have not forgotten the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, or that barren field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania! They are hallowed ground. And the Iraqi government—like the Taliban before them—are about to become intimately acquainted with the Stealth bomber, the Blackhawk helicopter, and the Daisy Cutter bomb.

Our armed forces personnel have not only been to war; they have tasted victory in Afghanistan. Armchair generals from all over the world thought we would fail, as did the Soviet army before us. The experts were wrong and we brought swift and final justice to the Taliban and Al Queda. And despite our current focus on Saddam, rarely a day goes by without us killing or capturing another lieutenant in Osama’s army.

A sleeping giant has been stirred from its slumber. The world may not wholly support us in this cause, but they definitely cannot survive without us! Moreover, the events of the past six months have made it abundantly clear the guarantors of freedom will never be the despots or the weak sisters of the United Nations.

The willingness of President Bush to go it alone, without the help of the UN, will not only make our nation more secure; it will also protect our national sovereignty from those who wish to steal our rights from us.

America is coming for you, Saddam Hussein. The time has come! No longer will you continue to prey on the weak or to practice your deceit and treachery on the world.

And to the Iraqi people we can only say two things: “Help is on the way and let’s roll!” ***

Photo of Robert Yoho courtesy of staff files