U.S. Shouldn't Force Religious Freedom on Iraqis
By Paul Blair (Ocean County Observer, December 3, 2003)

"In Iraq most people don't want separation of church and state," our diplomats tell us. Even if it is true, so what? That people "want" to force their religion on others is no more worthy of respect than that a rapist "wants" to rape; regardless of how many people have such oppressive desires, they have no right to be left free to pursue them. The only reason America shouldn't force religious freedom down the throats of unwilling Iraqis--which it would have every right to do--is that it is not our role to civilize barbarians, and it is not worth sacrificing American lives to such a cause.

Rather than promote religious tyranny, America should see its military objectives through and get out of Iraq--outside of maybe a few military bases--with the proviso that we'll be back to topple any future government that should threaten our interests.