Dear President Bush:
The war on terror made great strides over the weekend, and it is paramount that you do not forget who our friends were in times of strife. In geopolitical terms, France and Germany criticized their “allies” when their support was necessary, the United Nations wanted nothing more than condemnation of US action, and US politicians were rushing to be the first to criticize.
Now everyone wants to be the first to glad-hand the president, without acknowledging that he was right, or even did a good job. And why the sudden kindness? Simply put, there are dollars at stake in the rebuilding of Iraq; and everyone wants to be involved in the action now, if they don’t have to pledge troops or dollars to the cause.
Mr. Bush, there is nothing more detestable than a friend who disappears when you need help, and then reappears when you are on top, strictly to bask in the sunshine of your success. When we went to the ‘world community’ for help, the leading nations of the world mocked you; it is time for you to ‘cowboy up’ and tell the UN, France, Germany, and the like where to go.
Contracts for rebuilding Iraq should be shared between the United States, Britain, Spain, Poland, and the other true allies who served with the United States in its time of need.
This war is not over yet and the ‘tacticians’ who believe it is should remember that Berlin is still occupied with American, British, and Russian troops from World War II. This war will end when the time is right, but please don’t rush, otherwise more young men will have to finish the job years from now; again.
Stick with the men and women who stuck by you when you needed them, many of whom risked vital losses to their persons, countries, or both, fighting for this cause, they should reap the rewards of their efforts. No Monday morning quarterback ever received a Super Bowl ring, now is not the time to give it to them.