[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 53 (Wednesday, April 2, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E652]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 OUR TROOPS IN IRAQ AND THE FAMILIES AT HOME MUST HAVE STEEL IN THEIR 
                                 SPINES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 2, 2003

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, as our troops move into Baghdad, countless 
Americans are watching as embedded reporters use 21st century 
technology to relay the bloodshed and horror of the battlefront into 
their living rooms. These images cannot help but have a profound impact 
on all of us. We would be well advised to heed the advice of Winston 
Churchill that, ``Nothing is more dangerous in wartime than to live in 
the temperamental atmosphere of a Gallup Poll, always feeling one's 
pulse and taking one's temperature.''
  A timely editorial published in the Omaha World-Herald on Saturday, 
March 29, 2003, reflects the situation Americans face in Iraq and on 
the homefront. This member commends it to his colleagues, especially 
noting its recommendations that only unconditional victory now will 
suffice.

              [From the Omaha Daily Herald, Mar. 29, 2003]

                             Baghdad Bound

       Wars, many have observed, don't follow scripts. Certainly 
     the one in Iraq underscores the point.
       It it not turning out to be as quick or as clean as many 
     seasoned observers, including some highly placed military 
     officials, had hoped. But as the second week began, positive 
     developments emerged.
       The (official) start of the war met with unexpected 
     contingencies. First came one of the worst sand-storms in 
     modern memory. Only those who have experienced a major and 
     prolonged storm of that kind can begin to imagine what it 
     would be like to pursue a military engagement under such 
     conditions. Another surprise has been the tenacity of some of 
     the Iraqi soliders. They may not be the best-trained 
     fighters, but desperation and zealotry combined have kept 
     them in the battle longer than many expected.
       Desperation and zealotry have also led to some despicable 
     dirty tricks--war crimes, really. Much of this was expected, 
     but is no less infuriating for that fact: Fighting from 
     hospitals. Fake surrenders that become massacres. Forced 
     human shields. Apparent executions of prisoners and Iraqi 
     civilians. And more. But the tide does appear to be turning. 
     Massive bombs are shattering strategic targets in Baghdad. 
     Ground forces are speeding up, and bit by bit they are 
     securing the ever-important supply line all the way back to 
     the Persian Gulf. Helicopters (for which sand-storms are a 
     curse) are back in the air, laying down lethal fire and 
     ferrying troops.
       Additionally, thousands of Iraqi citizens, once they feel 
     reasonably secure, have begun to flee to safety behind 
     American and British lines. There they are being fed and 
     medically treated as necessary, affirming that the allies 
     truly are on the scene as rescuers.
       None of that makes this a stroll on the beach. Baghdad will 
     be tough to pacify. Casualties among the liberators are 
     rising. Some innocent Iraqis, inevitably, are dying. That 
     makes this the point at which the troops--and we would add, 
     their loved ones at home--must have some steel in their 
     spines.
       The only sensible course now is unconditional victory. The 
     allies can win it, and we believe they will. Chapter 2 will 
     be winning the peace.

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