The War in Iraq is not a Game

We North Americans tend to be reactive people. We react to situations, events, and circumstances in a knee-jerk manner without giving much thought to the consequences.
I think the media helps to fuel this nonsensical reaction with their stupid questions.
As soon as a soldier dies the media comes in your face and asks a passer by “Do you think Canada should stay in Iraq or should we pack up and go?” Asking such direct questions when emotions are raw will most likely generate negative answers.
Thanks to some of our politicians, they cannot afford to be wishy washy in these matters. I guess that’s why we elect politicians, to think for the general masses.
I feel saddened whenever a soldier dies. I wonder why we as enlightened human specie can’t find a better way to solve problems than resorting to our hunter-gatherer mode, to kill or be killed. One must remember than when a person joins the army, the risks are clear. There is a good chance that during combat you will be killed or badly hurt. We cannot react every time a soldier dies. It is his/her choice to be in that field and we have to respect that and honour that person’s courage and dedication to his/her country.
Canada cannot pull out of Iraq on the spur of the moment. We have stirred up the hornet’s nest and we have to ensure that the bees are subdued before leaving. Leaving Iraq anytime soon will be unfair to the Iraqi people who have come to depend on us. It would be like running and leaving people burning in the fire. We have to stay the course until some resolution comes about or we have to develop a sensible exit strategy. It is not right to leave helpless people in more jeopardy than we found them, and that would be the case if we leave now. This war is not a game, it is serious business. We are dealing with vulnerable people.