Nicholas Barrett

In 2003 George W Bush made a speech from an American aircraft carrier declaring “mission accomplished”, a sentiment echoed by a sign behind his head.  After leaving office he described that speech as the biggest regret of his career because the violence that soon followed was killing Iraqi civilians at a rate of 100 per day.  Today, 7 years on Obama addressed the world live from the oval office declaring “mission over”.

Its the end of my generations ‘Vietnam’.  I remember marching against it at the age of 12 and not really being sure if I was against it or not.  Saddam was evil, was I marching for him?  Also to a twelve year old war is kind of cool, I guess Iraqi twelve year old’s probably didn’t see it like that.  But it was exciting seeing the bombs hit Baghdad on the first night of operation shock an awe.  Then growing up with lack of WMD’s, the human rights abuse’s and the endless corporate corruption and fear-mongering politics involved just chipped away at my faith in government day by day.  

So did we win?  Did anybody win?  I know Halliburton and Blackwater won but did we? And who are “we”?  Obama made no mention of the British forces in Iraq, With 179 british soldiers killed in an American lead war I would have thought we would have got some recognition, but then again Obama’s re-election is out of our hands.   I don’t think anybody really won, Iraq is bombed out graveyard of corruption and we have gained a huge deficit and 179 less of the people who wanted to fight of their country but died for someone else’s wallet.  I just hope we learn something.  When George W Bush left the white house he insisted that “history” would judge him and I hope he’s right.