On April 9, 2003, in Baghdad, newly liberated Iraqi citizens joined with American troops in an amazing symbolic effort that was watched the world over - the toppling of an enormous statue of the just deposed dictator, Saddam Hussein. I will never forget the joy I felt, half a world away, as these unlikely allies joined forces in determined struggle to pull down this symbol of all that is wrong in the world. With each pull on the noose they had looped about the statue's neck, I held my breath, waiting for it to come toppling down. When it finally did, tears of unbelievable joy overflowed - I felt the joy of the Iraqis, the frustration, the overwhelming hatred of this despot who had redefined barbarism.
How can we, as Americans, who have had the tremendous blessing of freedom since birth, ever hope to comprehend the plight of these poor people? Many had never known any semblance of liberty in their entire lives; nearly all had lost family members and friends to torture in prisons from which few left alive. We take our freedoms so for granted, failing to recognize that with freedom comes responsibility that must be taught, and learned, to prevent anarchy and lawlessness. Is it any wonder that the Iraqis, suddenly released from the horror that had overshadowed their entire lives, found it difficult to learn to function as a united society?
Whatever missteps followed the brilliance of our military in taking Iraq, we should never forget the moral courage and strength of President George W. Bush, the man who did more to extend the cause of liberty than any other in my lifetime.
Photos courtesy of Time.com 
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