NPR interviewed a Cassandra Nelson of the NGO MercyCorp this morning about the agency's work in Iraq. She said that while they don't have any personnel in any of the most dangerous parts of the country, her people can see the effects of the anti-American attacks on Iraqis everywhere. Most are apparently quite distressed by the violence, and fear it'll rob them of a pivitol opportunity to improve their lives.

I'm not offering this as any justification for the war, but the war happened>/i>...it's history now. The impediments to an improved life in Iraq, it appears, are now those relatively few whose sole (soul?) focus is destruction, death and pain to anyone who might disagree with them. Most Iraqis, it seems, just want to move on (hmmm...gives me an idea for a website!), and I suppose most Americans probably agree...which doesn't of course necessarily make it right, but there may be a certain wisdom to it. For the benefit of the Iraqi people, given the situation, moving on may well be the best course of action. The war is over and we need to continue with the reconstruction, unhindered by those who suffer the illusion that Sadaam can make a comeback.

And to those who suggest we need disaster in Iraq to somehow save ourselves...that's a stunning absurdity, a point-of-view for which the words "low" and "petty" are wholly insufficient.

How could anyone call those who are attacking US forces "freedom fighters?" If they seek to re-establish the horrid reign of Sadaam, how could anyone confuse them with "defenders of the people?" Especially as it becomes clearer--even to NPR--that the majority of Iraqis are completely against the violence.