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Winning
the War of Ideologies
When
I think back to the horrific events of 9/11, and then look at where
we find ourselves in Iraq, I can scarcely believe the errors in judgment
we made that brought us where we are today.
We had to do something. We all agreed on that.
The threat had been brewing for many years, a threat we ignored because
it denied so many of the principles we thought everyone agreed with. The
hatred of al Qaeda seemed an aberration that would eventually implode
on itself.
It was wrong to believe that the values we so
cherish are equally cherished by others. We went to far as to declare
a holy war on terror while completely disregarding its root cause. We
thought all the world would be there with us, and that those who did support
terrorism would turn around. We thought, mistakenly, that we could kill
ideas that disagreed with ours as easily as we can kill people, with bombs
and guns. Unfortunately, we ended up justifying the fears and resolve
of our enemies.
History shows us, time and time again, that the
blood of martyrs only enflames the spirit of resistance
and revenge. Our enemies love the word martyr.
It is time to face the obvious: We cannot win
this War of Ideologies that has been thrust upon us without first
believing in our own ideals more than the enemy believes
in theirs. Not through political rhetoric, especially the kind that sows
division rather than unity; not through the smug success of our economy,
which our enemies point to as proof of our decadence; not through the
disdain for other cultures which we direct even at our allies when they
fail to support our obvious misadventures.
We begin to succeed when we open our eyes and
ears and unashamedly embrace the fundamental ideals we represent; when
we let those ideals inspire us again, with a new and passionate belief
in human decency; when we really do accept the mantle of moral leadership,
not through force but through example.
Only we, the people of the United
States, can bring success to this War of Ideologies. Not our military.
Not short-sighted politicians. Not economic pressures or sanctions or
strategic alliances. Not by pride, and never by arrogance.
Moral strength will be our finest
weapon, as it was not only for the likes of Gandhi and Martin
Luther King, but for George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and
Abraham Lincoln as well.
We cannot draw good will as the most powerful
nation in the world unless we are the most moral as well.
Not half-moral, or three quarters, or just better than most. Our vision
must be greater than that, more pure and inspirational. This will only
happen when we, the people, make it happen.
We did not lose the War in Iraq. The Iraqi military
surrendered to the onslaught of American forces. Saddam Hussein was captured,
tried and executed. We were victorious. That we sowed chaos in our wake
was predictable to anyone who cared to think about it.
Now we need to win the hearts and minds of the
people, which we cannot do as aggressors who are blamed for everything
that is going wrong.
What is the answer?
What our leaders try hard not to admit.
There is no answer. There is no
strategy or magic bullet that will suddenly bring peace to a culture long
based on violence and revenge. Republicans couldn't find it. Democrats
won't either. It is up to the Iraqi people to bring about change, and
change has to begin in their hearts. Democracy cannot work in a land of
warlords and sectarian strife.
It is time to gradually withdraw from Iraq, hope
for the best, and be ready to act if necessary. No matter what our military
does, however, the War of Ideologies will continue. In response we need
to look to ourselves, fortify our ideals, and make our way of life blameless
in order to face the coming crisis.
