Lest We Forget

General Schwarzkopf conducted the first Iraqi war. A brilliant victory was won with the least casualties in modern warfare. Our state department turned victory into a winless truce. Defense secretary Rumsfeld, listening to field commanders, adopted more modern technology to wage a faster war--fewer civilian and military casualties. Saddam's air force flew to Iran as communications were knocked out on the first day.

Rumsfeld's press conferences humiliated the left-wing press with his unprecedented civility. Then came an American Caesar. Who appointed him? In a castle, residing as a Roman emperor, he turned liberation into occupation, freeing the Iraqi's army, their arms left, to be grabbed by both Shia and Sunni. Ancient hatreds were fueled by Alcida, creating a civil war. American troops were surrounded, ducking fire from both sides.

Finally as in Aristophenes' Trojan Women, civilians turned on their oppressors, allowing the achievement of order. Then came the miraculous General Petraeus. He concentrated on educating the people and the war was won. Victory to the people. But death to Alcida.