Each day I read the Collegian and see the same types of letters debating the war in Iraq. An open discussion involving facts to support opinions is exactly what you need to foster critical thinking. The only problem is that the time for debate is over. There are no more choices, there is no more discussion.

This coalition has announced to the international community that the fighting will end with the fall of the regime in Iraq. Anything short of this outcome and the conflict will be a failure and an embarrassment to the United States and Great Britain. If we pull out of Iraq before this goal is accomplished then the entire anti-American population in the world will view us as weak. Soon after, every would-be terrorist will drool at the opportunity to lead an attack against the United States. North Korea will no longer feel threatened by western power and will do with its nuclear program as it sees fit.

While the liberation of Iraq may be the selling point to the national audience, there is more at stake here than the political environment of one Middle Eastern country. American influence in the world hangs in the balance of this war. If we want to continue to sway international events in the interest of the United States, then we have no choice. The regime must fall. Everything else is moot.