The Doctor

The woman was standing outside her place of work when a bullet whizzed past her and smashed into the brick wall. The next bullet hit her in the hand and she quickly ran inside. Yes, she ran inside the hospital where she worked as an anesthesiologist. Another doctor dressed her wound. In time her hand would fully heal. When asked if she was a target, her answer was "no". It was election time and things were getting a little out of hand.

About three weeks later the emergency room of that same hospital was overrun by dozens of people. Emergency surgeries were being performed. Lives were being saved and some were being lost. This same doctor was administering anesthetics as the surgeons were operating. A bomb had gone off in a market place. And when people gathered to see what had happened and to help, another bomb went off killing dozens more. 36 people ended up in emergency care, over half of which were children. A boy of 9 had two pieces of shrapnel imbedded in his body, was trying very hard not to cry because crying was for girls. It was heartbreaking for the hospital emergency staff. And it was heartbreaking for those who lost moms and dads and children.

This is Iraq. This is life at it's norm. They live with the fear of this happening every single day of their lives. Today could be their last day. Tomorrow's dreams may never come true. And anyone and everyone may be a target. And this is not against any religious or ethnical group. Muslims, Christians, and others are all victims of this terrorism. And why is this happening? It seems that no one knows for sure. The terrorists are doing what they do best.... terrorizing and killing as many as they can. There seems to be no goal or purpose, only death and destruction. And no one is safe. Many are giving up hope that they will ever be able to live in peace. Nearly every family has tasted the bitterness of death.

Elections are corrupted. The Iraqis know none of the candidates, who they are, what they stand for, whether they are enemy of foe. Henchmen go door to door asking the people who they will vote for. The wrong answer may mean you are dragged into the street and are beaten or even shot. Or they may just shoot you. Most Iraqis don't vote at all because a vote the wrong way could mean death.

Iraqi Christians attend a church that is close by. Too many Christians were killed on their way to or from church. So Christians of all denominations gather to the closest one. But they do attend.

As Americans are basically fed up with the war in Iraq, and as we pull our soldiers out of that country, let us keep in mind several things. First of all, not all Iraqis are terrorists. The vast majority are the terrorized. They are people just like you and I who want to live normal, peaceful lives. Secondly, we have it so good in America. We are yet the greatest country in the world because we have a free society. We should never be apologetic for who were are. We are still the envy of the world, the place where people want to come. And, finally. We should never hide our faces from the sufferings and injustices in this world. We must remain a compassionate country.