To My Daughter, on the Fifth Anniversary of the US Invasion of Iraq

"I wish there was something more I could have somehow done five years ago to prevent this war from happening." - Zunes

It has been five years since you, as a 12-year-old 7th grader, joined your classmates in a walk-out at your school in protest of the impending invasion of Iraq.

You are now a 17-year-old high school senior just months from graduating, and the war - which we were told would only involve U.S. combat forces for a few months - is still going on. As you enter college in the fall, some of your classmates whom you have known since childhood could be entering Iraq to fight in a war that should never have been fought.

As a consequence of this war of aggression, you are entering adulthood with the United States despised throughout the world and the threat of mega-terrorism from extremist groups higher than ever. Furthermore, it appears that this war will end up costing more than 3 trillion dollars, money that you will be paying, with interest, for decades to come. This money could instead have gone to health care, education, the environment, housing, public transportation, and other human needs that could have made your life and the lives of others of your generation safer, healthier, and happier. Already, the economic impact of the war is becoming apparent in your life. Your long-promised graduation present of a European trip is looking less affordable as the dollar plummets in value and your parents are scrambling - as a result of cutbacks in federal assistance - to figure out a way to pay your college tuition next year.

As you remember, your mother and I worked very hard to try to stop this war. We so very much wish you could have avoided experiencing, as we did during our adolescence, our country engaged in a brutal counter-insurgency war in a foreign land.

I remember how much you missed me as I traveled around the country giving speeches and interviews to try to convince the public and elected officials that Iraq was not a threat to our national security and that a U.S. invasion of Iraq would be a disaster. I remember your tears as you heard me denounced on national television as a “supporter of Saddam Hussein” and claims that my research “was funded by terrorists.” And you no doubt remember the negative impact the stress and exhaustion from that period had on my health as well as my relations with you, your siblings, and your mother.

Yet I also remember your pride in seeing me speak before half a million people in San Francisco at the anti-war march, your excitement in getting to use my backstage pass to meet Bonnie Raitt, and your appreciation of being a part of history that sunny February afternoon. I have seen you attend subsequent marches on your own, still convinced that, while unable to prevent the war, you could still try to end it.

You were born in October 1990 on the eve of the first U.S. war with Iraq. We gave you an Arabic name - meaning “beloved” - in part to honor the rich cultural traditions of a people whom our government is willing kill in order to control their natural resources. In certain respects, the United States has been killing Iraqis for almost your entire life. Meanwhile, a whole generation of your peers in that unhappy land has grown up knowing nothing but war, sanctions, and related hardships.

I think about the impact the invasion has had on you and how it has affected the way you see your country and its government. You figure that if a total idiot like your dad could figure out that Saddam Hussein could not have possibly reconstructed his capability of producing “weapons of mass destruction,” you logically assume that the president, vice-president, top cabinet officials, and congressional leaders of both political parties were lying when they said that he had. As a result, instead of coming of age with a healthy skepticism about your government, I’ve seen how you and many of your peers have developed a bitter cynicism, assuming that both Republicans and Democrats are willing to lie to their constituents in order to justify imperial conquest.

Despite this, your youthful idealism has not been completely squashed. I have seen your enthusiasm as you and your friends have found hope in the presidential campaign of Barack Obama, who recognized five years ago that Iraq was not a threat and actively opposed the invasion. Indeed, it brings back memories of the hope I felt when I was your age by George McGovern’s 1972 campaign, only your candidate has a stronger likelihood of victory. It would be so nice for you to be able to cast your first vote for someone you actually believe in. Though, in reality, an Obama presidency would likely disappoint you in certain respects. I hate to imagine the crushing blow to you and so many of his young supporters if Hillary Clinton - an outspoken supporter of Bush’s decision to invade that oil-rich country five years ago - is able to successfully rob him of the nomination or damage him to the point he loses in November.

Whoever becomes the next president, however, this war will continue to impact your life for many years to come. Seeing you as a beautiful, smart, and competent young woman - facing an uncertain future in this militarized, divided, and economically weakened society - I wish there was something more I could have somehow done five years ago to prevent this war from happening.

Dr. Stephen Zunes is a professor of politics and international studies at the University of San Francisco. and a contributor to Foreign Policy In Focus (www.fpif.org). Dr. Zunes is a foreign affairs columnist for the National Catholic Reporter and a regular contributor to the Common Dreams website and Tikkun magazine. His op-ed columns have appeared in major daily newspapers throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. In addition, he has spoken at over 80 colleges and universities and scores of community groups and is a frequent guest on National Public Radio, Pacifica Radio, PBS, BBC, MSNBC and other media outlets for analysis on breaking world events. He serves as a consultant and board member for a number of peace and human rights organizations in both the United States and overseas.

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Tim King March 21, 2008 12:38 pm (Pacific time)

This is Tim King, everything is cool and nobody is threatening anyone, let's just try to understand that the war brings our emotions to a boiling point sometimes and we do not need to overreact to anything. I spent time with American soldiers in Afghanistan and I am a veteran. There were no bad or hostile moments and while some people regard me with caution, they always felt good about working with me afterward. Many comments reflecting this exact thing can be seen in my stories from the war in Afghanistan that I filed from in country and they are all available on this site by visiting Dispatches from Afghanistan on the front page.

Here are what some people said about my work in Afghanistan:

"This is very interesting, from watching national news you wouldn't know this type of thing was going on over in Afghanistan. Thanks for the solid visual report."

"My Marine Corp Brother Tim...I am watching you on t.v. and on the internet. Just want to let you know Steeles Karate is behind you and I am too. We appreciate the duty you've chosen. Semper Fi, return home safe with all!"

"know everyone esle has said it, but again, 'thank you' for your detailed, candid stories of the mission and how our 41st Bde commrads are doing over there."

"My son, Jamie,just arrived at Kyhar Khut Castle and I was so happy to find your article. I could not find anything on this castle and found yours by luck. I will definitely keep checking your news from Afghanistan. I am worried to death about him and thank you for your coverage."

"My how you can very quickly put life in the USA into prespecive! I honor all of those who serve our county and help those in need. Thank you! Please keep writing and telling us the lives of those who protect us! May all have a blessed NEW YEAR!"

So for the record, I have a real track record of taking care of these soldiers when I work with them. If I had to embrace a national policy to do that, then we might have a problem, but I don't. I was able to clearly see that a U.S. presence was making a difference in Afghanistan, in a positive way. I look forward to being shown all of the progress and results of the U.S. effort to make Iraq a livable place. My biggest concern is that the good side of these Americans is being overlooked. Again, this aspect of Salem-News.com; on site boots on the ground war coverage, is not a matter of politics.

In this particular article, soldiers felt that a photo could have been better used. They thought it was an unfair representation. The photo showed soldiers kicking in a door. I do not personally associate that with anything negative or dark, that is what they do while pursuing their enemies. The soldiers believe I should have used a photo that showed the humanitarian side of the mission, but Stephen's article did not call for that, it called for a shot of the war in Iraq, and that's it.

I chose the first shot, it had been released that day by the DoD as a public domain photo and was 100% legitimate by the rules for me to use. However, since the soldiers were bothered by that, I changed it to the above photo which probably would have been better from the beginning. I chose initially not to use a shot that showed devastation. The thing about our philosophy as a news site is that we do not cater to one side or the other in terms of politics. We deliver it all, but we can not place alternate messages in a single story. I do not believe that is how balance is achieved; it can't be done in a single story that is a commentary, as in this case. I think a humanitarian photo with the Professor's anti-war tone would have made little sense.

Having said that, the thing I look forward to the most in Iraq is seeing our soldiers deliver humanitarian aid, which I know they very much enjoy doing. I saw Americans do amazing things for civilians in Afghanistan and I am not a reporter who let that part hit the editing room floor. I am not a person who does things like that. I look forward to showing that side of our brave combat troops and all the soldiers who support them in Iraq. I will see you guys over there in a couple of weeks.

Heather Bendet March 21, 2008 12:04 pm (Pacific time)

I take great offense to the satements made by others that American Solidier's would in ANYWAY harm or threaten Journalist. THIS IS NOT TRUE !!!!!!! THEY IN FACT DEFEND THEM DAILY WITH THEIR LIVES WITHIN IRAQ !!!!!!!!!!! The we will see you soon comment I believe was in response to Mr. King's invitation issued one this site here in the comments . He stated he would be going to Iraq and that he would welcome meeting with them through Public affairs in Iraq. Many journalist from many nations go to Iraq and are well protected by American troops. They are escorted throughout the country to obtain the stories they choose to bring back to you the public. Did it occur to any of you at any time that perhaps the American Media has a bias of it's own? The journalist has control over what they choose to cover or report to you here in this country. At NO TIME did the letter state that they wished for you the american public to see what they wanted you to see..... as a matter of fact they offered to show you a wide variety of photographs from various settings within Iraq the good the bad and the ugly. So your claim they are trying to hide or cover something up is completely unfounded. There are countless websites that are public access that feature a wide variety of photographs from Iraq. These photos from all different sources within Iraq. Do your research before you go about accusing people of conspiracy theories. The letter also once again very respectfully stated that they respect and encourage freedom of speech... that doesn't sound like a threat at all. What I would Challenge Mr. King to is when he is in Iraq to be sure to document unbaised stories photgraph's etc. and bring that back for all of you to see.

Michelle March 21, 2008 12:29 am (Pacific time)

In no way is anyone “threatening” Mr. King. In saying “looks like we will be seeing you soon” I literally meant… Looks like we will be seeing you soon. Obviously you did not read my comment, I am a photographer myself and in no way trying to argue about people’s opinion in the war. Everyone has a right to disagree. All I asked was that our photos not be used in a way they were not intended. To Mandy and Danno… stop trying to make something out of nothing. We are not out to “bully” journalists. Yes, we have weapons and they don’t, but if you had read my comment I also said that I fully respect them for voicing their opinions. Thank you, Mr. King, for replacing the photo

Mandy in Eugene March 20, 2008 12:35 pm (Pacific time)

I could see Danno's point when I read "We hear you are coming to Kirkuk" and "Looks like we will be seeing you soon" is just a little unsettling. Maybe that is just a subtle way for these soldiers to tell a journalist just what Danno implied. If I'm not mistaken, all those soldiers have weapons and Mr. King and other journalists are not allowed to carry. I get irked thinking about this whole notion and really think Mr. King should consider who he spends time with over there, they are not trustworthy just because they wear a U.S. flag patch on their arm, means nothing indeed. The whole idea of soldiers trying to tell a news site how to use public domain photos is unsettling also. No wonder the Iraqis are scared. I think these people are using bully tactics and these soldiers need to be worried about Iraqis, and not fighting a PR campaign.

JM March 20, 2008 8:56 am (Pacific time)

I will be looking forward to the upcoming reports from this website (News Organization) on Iraq. I heard a debate the other night on why the coverage of Iraq has really been dropping by the msm. Evidently because things are much improved over there, and it's an election year they will only cover the terrorist's attacks that have significant casualties. Another pundit said enlistments were up. This was challenged by saying that they were re-enlisting for the bonus money. Again this was challenged by someone stating that no amount of money would be enough for one to re-up if we were losing in Iraq, so according to this pundit our progress is that we are making significant gains. So I assume Tim King will be able to talk to many personnel who have been there from the start up to the present and get their perspective? Of course many feel we can never help win a civil war, but maybe that means we are also in a civil war here, and as long as any significant differences exist anywhere in a nation it's just a matter of time before conflict begins anew? You know this election provides a lot of evidence for that hypothesis, in terms of our collective instability.

Frugal March 19, 2008 10:07 pm (Pacific time)

Danno are you suggesting that members of our military would put Mr. King in some kind of danger? I find that very insulting sir. Even though many may disagree with his viewpoints I hardly believe these professionals would allow any harm to come to him if they could prevent it in any way.

Danno March 19, 2008 1:55 pm (Pacific time)

I think there is more than meets the eye here, what was so upsetting about the photo and where is the photo in question? It must have been pretty bad to make these soldiers go on a damage control effort. I too would suggest considering who you spend time with over there Mr. King, for what it is worth.

Frugal March 19, 2008 1:05 pm (Pacific time)

We sure are a divided country. But overseas in a combat zone everyone needs to be on the same page, at least that would be my view.

Dave Crocker March 19, 2008 12:33 pm (Pacific time)

Wow, check out the military beating up on the reporters for photo selection. I see Tim King advocating for soldiers all the time, in fact I have never read anything Tim has written about soldiers over there that was negative. Where are all these people coming from? Tim, you should consider if this trip to Iraq is even worth it, looks like a real friendly crowd over there. It is interesting too that soldiers are demanding what photo means what, aren't they supposed to be fighting terrorists, not an image war? As far as Stephen Zunes, he is a fantastic writer and I for one am glad to see his work here.

Michelle March 19, 2008 5:19 am (Pacific time)

Mr. King, I just read your article about visiting Kirkuk during your tour in Iraq. As you can see in the photo you used in this article, we are embedded with 10th Mounatin. Looks like we will be seeing you soon.

Michelle March 19, 2008 5:05 am (Pacific time)

Dear Dr. Zunes and Mr. King, As the combat photojournalist who works side by side with SSgt Samuel Bendet in Iraq (who took the photo used in this article), I felt compelled to write a comment after reading this article. While I am not particularly moved by Dr. Zunes words, I do not agree nor disagree with either of your views and opinions on the war, in fact I respect you both for speaking your minds and speaking out loud about what you believe is right. I have no desire to argue about the war. What I do disagree with, however, is twisting a military photographer’s work. While some may disagree, our work is not biased. We take pictures and videos of what we see, a clean cut view of what’s going on over here. The good, the bad, and the ugly. But since we have no copyrights to our work, what people use it for after it’s released is not up to us.

We try to do our best to ensure that those U.S. Army soldiers we document are not being viewed in a negative way (unless of course there is a strong reason to). I have worked with the three soldiers in the photograph for months now. They are doing great things here and are protecting your right to voice these opinions. Instead of seeing that, people who see this photo attached to such an article makes them out to be the “bad guys.” Maybe, Mr. King, you should step back and picture your two Iraq combat vets in this photo. Now that may or may not have been the intended purpose, but regardless, it is in fact degrading our military. In the responses I read to Mrs. Bendet’s comments, you say that our military is honorable. Yet attaching such a photo completely contradicts that.

Perhaps along side this photo you should put the one I emailed to you from the same village a day prior to the one used in the article. All we ask is that if you’re going to share an opinion on a subject, and use our work to support it, do not be biased, show both sides… let people make their own decisions. Perhaps your vision of this war would change if you had the chance to look into an Iraqi Villager’s warn down eyes as they thanked you for what you’ve done for them... or perhaps you could look into those eyes and explain to them why you can’t help rebuild their school because your daughter was promised a vacation to Europe. And please, Mr. King, if you would like to exploit our military, please replace this photo with one you’ve taken yourself. We do not wish to have our names dragged into such negativity.

Well, I guess maybe I will switch that photo out. You get the credit for changing it, since you are the only person that is drawing a correlation between that photo and something about the war being particularly bad. Heck, I have a load of photos I can use in place of this current and accurate shot with an unmodified caption that was no attempt to bring any negativity on anyone. As always, honestly about the war is under fire, let's just make it looks great over there, is that it? Let's show the photo of a little Iraqi kid crying and photoshop it into an image of George W. Bush, right? Maybe you can explain to the people of Iraq that you will be sure to "go after" anyone who questions our childish and deadly policies, a President who treats soldiers like pawns in a chess game. This guy has damned near broken our country and over 4,000 Americans and a million Iraqi's are dead over Bush. Just remember that a small handful of journalists are all that is willing to go to Iraq, that I spent time already doing this and the stories about our soldiers are all positive.

The only thing that I don't understand is why again, you want parallels to exist between problems in Iraq and this photo. I could understand if it was mis captioned or mis represented, I think it was a fair representation. This was a letter from Stephen to his daughter, it did not reference the wrongdoings of our soldiers.

Heather Bendet March 18, 2008 10:13 am (Pacific time)

I do not feel that in any way shape or form that this war was well thought out or glamourous. In war no one wins... and I commend both the civilians and the military who put themselves in harms way throughout the world to bring news opinions and help aid etc. to all of us. I would not call Stephen a visionary... but, I do whole heartedly respect his right to free speech and his opinion. Just as I am using those freedoms to share mine. There is no need to replace the photograph as I said .. my husband who has seen and read this article is far more laid back than I am and would gladly as I stated defend everyone's right to free speech. My Husband reminded me of that this morning. The photograph is his hard work. I want people to be arware of the hard work of all the individuals civilian like your self and military who work around the world. I will again point out I acknowledged that Stephen chooses to raise his daughter as he sees fit... a point I commend him for but No I do not need to be moved by his words nor do I see him as a visionary.

as for your second rebuttle... the terrorist not the military are who make daily life a challenge for everyday Iraqi citizens. Under Saddam hundreds of Iraqi's were killed daily simply because of a suspicion or doubt cast by a nieghbor or because they were an ethnic minority.... This was hardly better.

Heather: Well that sounds like middle ground to me and I give you every allowance for being passionate about your husband's service. I always try to remind people that even when our country's direction is questionable, that we are an honorable people, particularly our military. I am really, really serious about that and I think that once again, we all have a great deal in common. You are always encouraged to state your view here, and if you let me know where your husband is via email then I will try to hook up with him while I am over there. I love military public affairs people, they are the coolest, and I am glad that their support teams stateside are paying attention and have something to offer, thank you very much. You and/or your husband can email me at tim@salem-news.com

Henry Ruark March 18, 2008 10:00 am (Pacific time)

To all: With all due respect --and, indeed, with great personal and professional appreciation and honor for this war photographer -- the key fact here is that our attack on Iraq was the choice of a now well-deflated cabal seeking oil supremacy, ostensibly as "a matter of national interest". Even if that were true, the moral question involved will shatter any dependence on it alone for justification of these sorrowful events-since. The destruction this great photographer documented --and the undoubtedly great work done for humanitarian and restorative purposes by him and others-- would never have been required if that fatal world-shaping preemptive decision by a fatally-flawed presidential action had never been taken. AND this photographer would have been at home for those missed opportunities with his own children, and more family life with his wife, too. So THEY are victims of that flawed vision obviously based on an erroneous set of values, and surely NOT reflecting those of millions of other Americans, then when that false-values judgment was made and now, after so many of its "unforeseen consequences", so well foreseen by so many as it has been allowed to continue to occur.

Heather Bendet March 18, 2008 9:06 am (Pacific time)

For my second note to you. There are children who will never graduate in Iraq, there are children who have no food no health care and do not even have the luxury of running water. My husband and his fellow troops have delivered countless humanitarian aid packages to remote areas of Iraq... he has seen in his 2 years of voluntary tours schools built roads fixed. He and his fellow troops have helped train Iraqi police and army and seen then take back areas ravaged by terrorist. My husband has protected and helped with his fellow troops the children of Iraq's future. Their saftey and future is a priority . Every troop there has been thanked and welcomed by the families they protect give aid and assistance to.... they have escorted Doctors through areas of terrorist attack risking their lives to make sure that clinics for Iraqi children have vaccines and medical supplies. so please forgive me if I don't weep that your daughter doesn't get to take a Euroopean vacation...... Perhaps you should have her take the money she would have gone on vacation with and put it to some humanitarian effort to help those in this world who have real problems... like food shelter and saftey.

I am going to jump right back in here on Stephen's behalf. Everyone here note that people should according to Heather, feel bad for believing that invading Iraq wasn't a great idea. Why is it that Iraqi kids aren't graduating? Before our bombs fell there was no need to escort doctors anywhere in Iraq, there weren't over a million dead civilians in this country, the roads still worked, and electricity brought warmth and running water. But the PROBLEM isn't our government's rish to war or lack of discretion, it wasn't one of a thousand other reasons, bad intelligence, no WND's, it is all the fault of a professor in San Francisco who had the courage to disagree.

Heather Bendet March 18, 2008 8:57 am (Pacific time)

While I appreciate your freedom of speech and comend you you for raising your daughter in your vision. I would like to tell you I am the wife of the military photographer the same photographer who took the picture you are using for your article. First I would like to point out that you are using a military photograph..... how nice and convienent for you that while you write about your anti war sentiments that a photograph is availible for you to demonstrate your point...... Because my husband ... who again is the military member who took that photograph for your personal use. Has served 2 tours voluntarily in Iraq for 2 years he has missed his 4 children's holiday's birthday's and the birth of our twins as well as their 1st birthday. My husband has taken this photograph in a war zone where he is shot at, bombed and has seen experienced and witnessed countless IED attacks to bring you the photographs that you so conviently use in your anti war statements. I write this not because I want you to feel your anti war sentiments are being attacked ......... by all means feel free to your entitled opinon but never forget those who allow you the freedom to make your statements and the sacrifices their families make for you to go on your anti war demonstrations....... because the second there is an attack on this country it is you who will be asking the military for protection. And DO NOT use my husband's photographs where he risked his life to capture them yes his life to get those photgraphs for your anti war statements. He is a far more honorable man and his photographs deserve better than the likes of your little article. I want you to know if he were standing in front of you while he doesn't share your views he would tell you that he is glad you have freedom of speech and would defend it with his life.... as he has said to the nermourous protestors who come and throw things at us at our own base gate. are you as honorable? Did you share with your daughter that everyday men like my husband risk everything so you and your family can go to anti war demonstrations? Be sure to tell her that a man risked his life for the photograph you put in your anti war article.

Heather, this is Tim King of Salem-News.com. I am also a war photographer and I also take risks in combat to show off our people. The use of this photo was my choice, not Professor Zunes, so if you have to beat somebody up that would be me. I think that if you can not or will not accept this man's wisdom then that is your choice, but I can not believe you are not at least partially moved by his words. I am wondering what your media source is, that tells you that you should position yourself this way just because a highly educated and experienced man like Steve Zunes takes the time to share his thoughts. Please try to understand that for many of us, this war is a complete tragedy and Bush had no idea what the hell he was doing when he put us in this. I am the father by the way of a two tour Iraq combat vet, so I have every right to feel the way I do, plus I leave for Baghdad in less than two weeks and my family isn't real thrilled about it. I am going 100% by choice because while we publish articles like this one, we take the time and expose ourselves to the risk necessary in covering war. No offense, but let's also remember who is paying what bills here, and I think that Professor Zunes' tax dollars and mine contributed to the existence of this photo any less than anyone else's. If you feel the need to push this I will gladly replace the photo with one I took myself.

Henry Ruark March 18, 2008 7:39 am (Pacific time)

To all: Stephen's beautiful words put the matter precisely; Bonnie's then reflect what millions of us across this nation strongly feel now. Don't EVER forget this is a preemptive, second war, made possible ONLY by multiple manipulations of what should have been accurate, probing and undistorted U.S. national "intelligence", in turn costing us literally millions in dollars --and some lives, too !- and then used to sell the situation as simply as if it were, forgive me, a condom or something similar and as irrelevant to realities here. NOW we KNOW different --and yet we fail to take the very action Constitutionally-set to clear up and clean up the fully malign and intentional mass-murder manipulation at the root of our rational and reasonable --and responsible-- true feelings for what we have been cajoled and seduced into allowing to happen. Bad cess for us all --both personally and as a nation once admired around this whole world-- if we continue to allow this abysmal situation to be laid away this way in the pages of our American history.

Bonnie King March 17, 2008 5:58 pm (Pacific time)

So many of us feel just this way. We knew it was wrong. We were shocked and dismayed when our Senators voted FOR the war. Still, I can't believe we, the common man, were so much more astute than them. In fact, it's just the opposite. We had some trickle of faith that there wouldn't be a war. They knew there would be. And yet they voted for it. And here we are. Do they sleep well at night? Some of your daughter's friends WILL go to war, that's definite. Every family will be affected, even if they don't think it matters much to them personally now. It will. I'm sorry too...that none of our voices were heard, that there wasn't more we could do. Five bloody years later. Let the world know, WE DIDN'T AGREE TO THIS. I wish every one had tried as you did Steve. At least you made an effort.

Austin March 17, 2008 5:51 pm (Pacific time)

Stephen, I was very moved by your article. You pull on our heart strings with your words.

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