The time has come, with thanks for your patience, to discuss the Occupation of Iraq.

Opinions abound on this subject. Some think that, had the original UN Coalition done their collective job, this trip would not have been necessary. On the other end of the spectrum, there are those that disagreed with the first Coalition, and disagree even more emphatically with the current Coalition. Their disagreement, in most cases, stems from either a strongly-held belief in resisting violence, or an equally strong suspicion of their own governments.

There are also a few, though the numbers decrease daily, that disagree with the action because they liked the way things were before Saddam Hussein left town, not because he was such a swell guy and you could always count on him to be the designated driver on karaoke night at the Al Smak Jabhouti Lounge, but because they benefited greatly from his being in power.

To address the first issue, the UN Coalition had a single purpose, which was the liberation of Kuwait (thank you for the reminder, Tanya). They did their job rather thoroughly, as we can be pretty sure that Saddam isn?t hiding out in Sheik Al Khalif?s Palace in Kuwait. As for the third issue, those people have perhaps gained enough already. I think even the most ardent opponents of redistribution of wealth would agree that there is an inequity that needs to be addressed here.

This leaves the adherents of peace. Watch carefully, now, because I am going to make a few sudden turns up ahead.

I agree with peace. I am rather fond of peace myself. I would personally sooner put myself in harm?s way than see another injured. I decry violence in all forms, as I do the glorification of violence. Violence is seldom the answer to any of the world?s issues. This is why I initially supported the Invasion of Iraq, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, as it has come to be known.

Now, my opinion has changed slightly. I now believe that it no longer matters whether or not I supported the Invasion. What matters now is that the Coalition is, indeed, in Iraq, and is working toward rebuilding an entire country that had fallen into serious neglect. Long before the bombs started dropping, there were water and power issues in many cities, to include Baghdad herself.

If you have been to Iraq in the last 3 years, you will know that it is, for lack of a more eloquent term, a hole. There are a couple of dozen beautiful palaces, the Mother of All Battles Mosque, and the half-completed Saddam Hussein Mosque, which are well-kept and attractive, and the rest of the country, especially in the Kurdish north, is in shambles. Saddam Hussein sucked his people dry, even through an international embargo, to keep his lifestyle opulent.

This is beginning to change, slowly. Services are being returned to the communities. The looted hospitals and banks have been largely repaired and are open for service. Water and electricity are being turned on. Some estimates state that it will be anywhere from four to ten years before the water and power are completely restored, but at least they appear to be making the effort to get the ball rolling.

So how long should the Coalition stay? Good question. In addition to rebuilding roads, buildings, and power stations, the Coalition has a much more precarious reconstruction to perform, which is the Spirit of the Iraqi People. For decades, they have been beaten like junkyard dogs, kept in poverty, and forced to genuflect before their abuser with public displays of adoration. The entire nation is suffering from, if I may use the term, Battered Citizen Syndrome. There is extensive therapy required here.

If you know anything of Judeo-Christian tradition, or if you even attended a Sunday School for any length of time as a child, you may remember that God brought Moses and the people of Israel to the Desert of Sin, for therapeutic purposes. And 40 years later, He decided they had recovered to the point that they could move on. Of course, God didn?t have the Internet or CNN, but that whole Pillar of Fire thing was a good substitute. Regardless, the world should prepare itself for the Coalition staying in Iraq for a long time. And if there is a way they can help the people of Iraq regain their dignity and prepare them for self-rule, then the sacrifice will not have been in vain. It is a cause worth supporting, and I encourage others to do the same.