Instead of blasting the United States, as Mr. Pontrelli chose to do in his column ("London bombings should serve as a mirror to Iraq," July 8), let us take a different perspective.

Imagine living in Iraq with Saddam Hussein in power. Imagine living every moment of your life in fear that his secret police will come for you. Imagine working hard every day for nothing because your dictator and his sons spend money to be used within the country on Ferraris and hookers.

Imagine walking down the street to find thousands of your community gassed to death by your own president. His henchmen share your religion, language and culture, but they still don't flinch at the torture, rapes and murders they commit daily.

Since 1979 this was part of every Iraqi's life. Now, after all of this, wouldn't you want someone to take this man out of power?

Our military has done this and more. Iraqi women are taking part in elections and holding public office. Schools are being built, medical care is improving and Iraqis are, for the first time, taking pride in their country.

Pontrelli asks that we all, "... re-examine the current status of the world" and wait to label the London attacks as "terrorism." I'll do that. Right after I roast marshmallows and sing "Kumbaya" with Osama bin Laden.