I predict there will be much hand-wringing after this war in Iraq.
I predict there will be gnashing of teeth.
I predict there will be many people – in America and in Europe – shocked at the barbarity of what we witness in the days ahead.
I predict many of those who opposed this war will defend their bad judgment by saying, "We just didn't know."
"We didn't know about the chemical weapons," they will say. "There was no proof. Saddam Hussein said he didn't have any."
"We didn't know about the brutality of the Fedayeen Saddam," they will say. "We couldn't have imagined the horrors of men who would dress in U.S. Army uniforms, accept the surrender of Iraqi troops and then execute them in cold blood."
"We didn't know about Republican Guards shutting off the water for the people of Basra," they will say. "We couldn't have imagined that they would kill their own people in an effort to blame America."
"We didn't know about the Boeing 707 fuselage Saddam procured to train al-Qaida terrorists prior to Sept. 11," they will say. "We couldn't have imagined that Hussein, a secularist, would be in league with Islamic terrorists."
"We didn't know about the human shredders," they will say. "We couldn't have imagined that Saddam Hussein and his sons would watch people placed in these huge machines used in the plastic business and listen to them scream in horror as their bodies were ripped to pieces."
"We didn't know about Saddam's plan to kill his own people en masse rather than allow them to surrender or flee his besieged cities," they will say. "How could we have imagined such a monster?"
"We didn't know the Iraqis would torture and execute prisoners of war," they will say. "How could we have known?"
"We didn't know so many Iraqi people wanted to be freed from Saddam Hussein's rule so badly," they will say. "We didn't know people were contemplating taking their own lives if we didn't come to free them."
"We didn't know. We just didn't know."
I am so sure we're going to hear those words. I am so certain that will be the excuse of those who didn't get behind this war to liberate Iraq and the world from this demon. I am so sure that will be the only defense left for people who refused to accept their moral responsibility for removal of this tyrant.
What else will they be able to say?
The coalition of the willing took the bull by the horns and 250,000 young men and women accepted the mission. They made the sacrifices that will benefit everyone – even those who just didn't know.
I suspect many of these naysayers are increasingly uncomfortable watching and reading the war coverage. I suspect many of them are probably hoping their ignorance will be vindicated by news events. I suspect many of them are hoping for something less than a smashing victory by the forces of light in this conflict.
It's too bad. This is a time when all good people should be coming together and recognizing the battle taking place in Iraq for what it is – a conflict between good and evil.
It simply just doesn't get much clearer than this. Morally speaking, this war shows us a stark contrast. On one side we have people who would lead as many to slaughter as possible. On the other, we have people who are genuinely concerned about minimizing pain and suffering.
Some refused to choose sides before this war began. Now there are no excuses. Now the whole world knows the truth about Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Better late than never. For all those who were in the undecided column, it's not too late to come to the aid of your country. For all those who chose to oppose this war, it's time to recognize the error of your ways.
Pray for our troops. Support our fighting men. God bless the USA.