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War has proven protesters wrong
By Ibrahim Bah
 Ibrahim Bah -- Staff Column
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As the days of Iraq's hostile regime came to an end, protesters should cease all demonstrations. Their stand for no war because civilians will suffer seems far from reality, as this war has taken less than a month and targets were directed at the enemy.
Pacifists are failing to realize the brutality of the regime they're attempting to save. Iraqis were already dying in the hands of their leaders. Having no alternative plans to war, along with Saddam Hussein's inability to change for decades, caused peace protests to fail.
Continued protests undermine Saddam's proven record to being a threat to his neighbors by invading Kuwait and attacking Iran for nearly 10 years. He has chemically gassed thousands. And without pressures from coalition forces, he has shown defiance in disarming and cooperating.
It is time the world takes a second look and sees that we could no longer afford such tyranny to exist. Even in the last days of this regime, we've seen civilians used as human shields by Iraqi soldiers. Saddam probably killed more people than both the 1991 and 2003 wars combined. We've seen how in a population of over 20 million, no one could come out as a candidate under its climate of intimidation. We know for sure if Saddam ever left power, one of his sons would take over, leading to additional decades of oppression. Moreover, we know that as long as they are in power, sanctions would remain imposed at the expense of civilians. The irrefutable fact that Iraqis are held hostage in their own country is enough for liberation.
Today, we can certainly see how President Bush has done the world a favor by removing Saddam. The words "wait and diplomacy" could no longer coexist with the cruelty of this regime. It is easy for countries that are not sacrificing their soldiers and money in containing Saddam to offer delays for his removal.
In spite of President Bush's unpopular position to go with little support, many world leaders will soon side with him as he liberates Iraq and rebuilds the country. It is astonishing that people never protested when Saddam was invading his neighbors or even when he gassed his own people, yet now we see even violent protests held trying to save him. History has proven that peace is not simply the absence of war.
Pacifists should now shift their focus and place money spent on protest-related materials to humanitarian causes, since it is clear that saving Saddam is out of question. If there's anything to be done at this point for Iraqi civilians, productive alternatives such as donations and joining the Iraqis in celebrating their freedom should be considered. This could send a powerful message to Iraqis in helping them get food, water, medicine and other necessities.
Ibrahim Bah can be reached at [email protected]
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