Originally published at GINA COBB on March 7, 2006: Freedom Will Win in Iraq
Three years ago, the Golden Mosque in Samarra had been bombed and sectarian strife had broken out in Iraq. By June 2006, Senate Democrats were proposing that America withdraw its troops from Iraq beginning in 2006. A year later, Harry Reid was announcing, "This war is lost."
Not so fast, Harry. The Iraq war wasn't lost at all. It just looked bleak for a while, as most wars do at times. The final outcome of the war depended on the unwavering determination and resolve of America, Iraq, and the coalition. As I wrote on March 7, 2006, at a time when some were growing discouraged and others were actively working to undermine America's resolve:
We in America must remember who we are, and what our country is about.
When something is really important, we never, never, never surrender.
Victory in Iraq matters. Even the defeatists can explain why.
It matters to the Iraqi people -- men, women and children who finally live free of tyranny. It matters to America. It matters to the coalition. It matters to the civilized world.
Americans know that when the odds seem to turn against us, it is not a signal to give up. It is a signal to redouble our efforts and win.
We will prevail even though some forces in America and around the world are doing everything they can to try to bring about defeat. They cannot defeat America on the battlefield, so the enemies of Iraqi freedom seek to undermine America's will to win. They tried to undermine America's will to win yesterday, and the day before, and the year before. They will try again today. They will try even harder again tomorrow.
It won't work. Not with this president in the White House. Not with the American people who stand behind him in the war on terror. Not with America's soldiers.
America will not give up on Iraq.
Freedom is already winning in Iraq. And Iraq grows stronger every day.
America will win in Iraq. Iraqi freedom will win. Try the idea on for size. Wrap your brain around it. Get used to it. Know it and celebrate it even before you see it with your eyes. By your resolve and unwavering commitment, you will help to make it real.
America has helped the Iraqi people give birth to another democracy.
Let's remember this lesson. Victory doesn't always come in nice, neat packages that herald their glory a year in advance.
The first sign of victory is often sweat, blood, dirt, grime, struggle, uncertainty, doubt, conflict and criticism.
I'm not a military expert, but let me share something from my own experience. As a lawyer, if I find myself feeling extremely stressed or concerned going into an important hearing in which a lot is at stake and the outcome in doubt, I remind myself, "This is how victory feels in the early stages." I remember all the times I've felt the exact same way, only to prevail in the end. And then I get to work and do my job, visualizing the success that awaits me when the struggle is done, and that is usually what I find.
When something is important, trouble is not a signal to give up. It's a signal to keep going.
When something really matters, don't accept defeat. If defeat must come, it will come whether you accept it or not, but don't surrender to defeat before you must!
As nations and as individuals, there are many events we cannot control, but there are also many, many times when we make and fulfill our own prophecies.
Remember this: Things looked bleak in Iraq in 2006 and 2007. Yet today tens of millions live free in Iraq.
Today, at least, Iraq is a beacon of democracy in the Middle East instead of a home of tyranny and terror. If America does not abandon Iraq too precipitously -- or perhaps even if it does -- the Iraqi people will continue to enjoy the blessings of freedom for generations to come.
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