In response to my column:

Jonah,
I fought as a tanker in the first gulf war and it was just outside Safwan as we secured the ceasfire site that my Company commander said to me, “in ten years we’ll be back.” I’m glad this time we aren’t just going to give it back to the thugs in Baghdad. The things I saw around Safwan are what made me realize just how bad Saddam was and is for the Iraqi people. I remember how impotent we felt sitting on our tanks listening to radio reports of the slaughter of the Kurds and the “marsh arabs” who had foolishly believed that we would support their rebellion. I am glad that the day of their liberation is at hand but also a little sad that it took 12 years longer than it should have to arrive.