Ed in Az

Bush sez: "Yet now there are only two options before our country – victory or defeat." B.S.!!!

Bush’s Prime Time Speech on Iraq
http://thinkprogress.org/2005/12/18/embargoed-speech/

From this office, nearly three years ago, I announced the start of military operations in Iraq. Our Coalition confronted a regime that defied United Nations Security Council Resolutions … violated a cease-fire agreement … sponsored terrorism … and possessed, we believed, weapons of mass destruction. After the swift fall of Baghdad, we found mass graves filled by a dictator … we found some capacity to restart programs to produce weapons of mass destruction … but we did not find those weapons.

and

I also want to speak to those of you who did not support my decision to send troops to Iraq: I have heard your disagreement, and I know how deeply it is felt. Yet now there are only two options before our country – victory or defeat. And the need for victory is larger than any president or political party, because the security of our people is in the balance. I do not expect you to support everything I do, but tonight I have a request: Do not give in to despair, and do not give up on this fight for freedom.

Nearly three years ago, there were mass protesters in D.C. saying NO to Iraq Invasion and start War. Bush flat out brushed us aside and ignored big time. He forgot that he has to listen to the "We The People" according to U.S. Constitution and "We The People" said no to invasion of Iraq.

Although there were Protests against the 2003 Iraq war has been done before March 2003

Yes, there were several Resolutions brought forth by UN Security Council but President Bush didn't let UN Weapon Inspector finish before because he does not want any delays from those inspector and want to invade on time. So Bush told those inspector to get out of Iraq.

See March 16, 2003 event;
The United States informs UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei that it would not be “prudent” for UN and IAEA staff to remain in Iraq any longer. [Washington Files, 3/17/2003]
People and organizations involved: United States, Mohamed ElBaradei, Kofi Annan
at; http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/timeline.jsp?timeline=complete_timeline_of_the_2003_invasion_of_iraq&startpos=700

then read on...
and you may want to start at beginning of the timeline to get whole picture; http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/timeline.jsp?timeline=complete_timeline_of_the_2003_invasion_of_iraq

and
http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/timeline.jsp?timeline=complete_timeline_of_the_2003_invasion_of_iraq&general_topic_areas=pre911Plans

That is an important question, and the answer depends on your view of the war on terror. If you think the terrorists would become peaceful if only America would stop provoking them, then it might make sense to leave them alone.

This is not the threat I see. I see a global terrorist movement that exploits Islam in the service of radical political aims – a vision in which books are burned, and women are oppressed, and all dissent is crushed. Terrorist operatives conduct their campaign of murder with a set of declared and specific goals – to de-moralize free nations … to drive us out of the Middle East … to spread an empire of fear across that region … and to wage a perpetual war against America and our friends. These terrorists view the world as a giant battlefield – and they seek to attack us wherever they can. This has attracted al Qaida to Iraq, where they are attempting to frighten and intimidate America into a policy of retreat.

The terrorists do not merely object to American actions in Iraq and elsewhere – they object to our deepest values and our way of life. And if we were not fighting them in Iraq … in Afghanistan … in Southeast Asia … and in other places, the terrorists would not be peaceful citizens – they would be on the offense, and headed our way.

well, see this from the timeline; (Jan 17, 2005)
January 17, 2003
      Mahmoud al-Zahar, a senior member of Hamas, warns, “If Iraq is attacked... all American targets will be open targets for every Muslim, Arab or Palestinian. Any attack against Iraq will be answered by resistance everywhere and American interests everywhere will be targeted. We say that all American targets will be open targets to every Muslim, Arab, or Palestinian.” [Ha'aretz, 1/17/03]
People and organizations involved: Mahmoud al-Zahar
from; http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/timeline.jsp?timeline=complete_timeline_of_the_2003_invasion_of_iraq&startpos=600

He basically made all American targets after Iraq was attacked. That's how we get lots of foreigner fighters streaming into Iraq from all sides plus the rise of insurgency.

Remember Bush and his chorts promised that it will be Liberation to remove Saddam but not to Occupy. Currently Iraq is Occupied by US and US is the major Occupier!