Pro-Life War?

I have read a few thought provoking posts recently about being "pro-life"and what that means beyond abortion. The point many of them were bringing up had to do with our war in Iraq and how sending our servicemen to Iraq doesn't seem to be pro-life. This got me to really thinking. . .are we being hypocritical here?
I believe that our war HAS been a pro-life war. Let me explain:

Secret police, torture, murders, targeted assasinations, chemical weapons, and the destruction of wetlands (more specifically, the destruction of the food sources of rival groups) were some of the methods Saddam Hussein used to maintain control in Iraq. (according to the Commission for Human Rights) Read that again. . . and remember your outrage when you first learned of Darfur. Right now, many of us are a part of Save Darfur and other groups to beg our gov't to do more to change the GENOCIDE that is happening in Darfur. However, America has proven that they just don't care. You see, this VERY same thing happened all throughout Iraq under the direction of Sadaam.

In 1988, he ran a campaign called the Al-Anfal Campaign which systematically murdered over 50,000 people. Many of them women and children who were executed enmasse. In 1991, he decided to squash uprisings and had over 100,000 people murdered. In 1994, they introduced SEVERE punishments, including amputation for citizens speaking out. This continued UNTIL he was removed from power. When our guys came in, mass graves were found. Can you imagine that for a moment? Mass Graves.

My brother in law was a marine for many years. He was stationed in CA when we went to visit him. At that time, manyof the guys in his neighborhood on the base had just arrived home from Iraq. We sat down to dinner and they told us their feelings about the war. One soldier's recollection will never leave me. He said that he too wondered about the war. . .before he got there. One of the first days that they rolled into "town" in their tanks, he got down from the tank because there was a little girl in front of them. As soon as he climbed down, that little girl RAN to him, clung to his leg and cried over and over with a smile and tears "thank you, thank you". The adults around him explained that she was thanking him that they now felt safe for the first time.

This war IS pro-life. Yes, many of our men have been lost. Over 4,000 so far. 4,000 lives that were precious. 4,000 men and women that chose to sacrifice their lives for others. That others may live and have freedom. That little ones just like yours and mine can live without the fear that their village or family will be viciously murdered by their own gov't because their parents wanted freedom. These men and women sacrificed their lives so that others may live. HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of lives have been saved. . .in Iraq alone! I truly believe that had we NOT gone into Iraq. . we would have been held responsible by the Lord. It was a moral obligation to rescue the oppressed. . no make that a BIBLICAL mandate to rescue the oppressed!

Note: I really wish that President Bush had listed THIS as the reason we went to war! While I am sure that Sadaam did have Weapons of Mass Destruction at some point. . .I mean, come on, he sure used weapons like that on his own people! And, we know what kind of leaky borders surround Iraq, so it sure wasn't hard to get them out. . .but, really. . .I wish he had just said, "I think Sadaam is a real threat to us. . but MORE than that, he is killing his own and we MUST do something!"

As a people. . . we have turned our eyes and ears from the suffering. Complaining that we don't want to sacrifice for others, but only for our own protection. This is why our President can't jump into Darfur and help. . .the American people just won't have it. Heck, the news proclaims "hallelujah" when a hurricane dodges the state of Florida and rams Haiti or Mexico instead. What kind of a people are we? Oh Lord, change our hearts. May we seek justice for the oppressed, even at our own expense!

So, if you ask me if the pro-life issue is a larger one. . .I agree! We must fight and protect life at all times and for all people. Thank you to our military men and women who fought and made a difference in the lives of sweet Iraqi children who can now grow up to desire freedom. . .and with the expansion of the Christian church in Iraq, just may find Jesus.