With the political season at full-steam, it is appropriate to start with the words of Democratic Senator John Rockefeller, who had the courage, three years on, finally to say what the Democrats really think about Iraq:

Rockefeller went a step further. He says the world would be better off today if the United States had never invaded Iraq — even if it means Saddam Hussein would still be running Iraq.

At the same time, French-looking John Kerry was calling on Democrats to rally around his plan to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq.

Perhaps the senators should read what one Iraqi had to say recently about the trial of Saddam:

“I’m happy to see justice taking its course today,” said Haider Kadhim, 28,
the owner of an electronics shop in Baghdad, a city that suffers from chronic
power shortages.Kadhim said he had bought 20 litres of petrol for his generator to make sure he had the electricity needed to watch the trial, which was broadcast on all local channels with a 20-minute delay. This was to ensure that sensitive portions with security implications could be censored.“It is shameful that Saddam should claim he is the president and commander in chief of the armed forces,” said Kadhim, referring to Saddam’s self-introduction when he was asked by the judge to identify himself for the record.

In addition, let me reprint the words of the Sgt. Major of the Army, Kenneth O. Preston:

The morale of American GIs serving in Iraq continues to be high, regardless of the danger, difficult conditions and family sacrifices they face, the Army's top enlisted leader said yesterday.

"They really look at it as a badge of honor," the sergeant major said.

Indeed, the Army will meet its recruiting goal for 2006.