September 27, 2004
There is a lot of talk - and will be during the first presidential debate this Thursday - about what to do on Iraq.
Those who favor withdrawal and have announced their intentions in advance, have not said what to expect after we withdraw.
Do they think this will bring peace to Iraq?
Do they believe it will bring peace to us.
Folks, this is a world war and Iraq is not the first shot, but it's the first time we have stood against Islamic extremism and tried to give a country a chance to breath freedom.
Insurgents are the main problem.
If it were just the remnants of Saddam Hussein's regime, we could probably crush them.
But these outsiders from Iran and who knows where else are aware that if freedom breaks out in Iraq, their people might demand the same.
Dictators - especially religious dictators - wouldn't go for that.
Furthermore, if the terrorists win in Iraq, they will be emboldened to come here and do the same.
In fact, too many are already here.
This war won't go away until it is won.
If we don't win it, we will lose it for the world.
We cannot afford to lose.
I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C. Watch his television show, After Hours with Cal Thomas, on the Fox News Channel, Saturdays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.
