Speaking of the war...

Tribune critic Steve Johnson reminds us (in today's article) that just because the television broadcasts images of Hussein toppling over does not mean the war is won (it ain't exactly the Berlin wall, after all--there are plenty other statues to be torn down). Of course I'm jubilant that the Iraqi dictator is off and running, most likely in northern Iraq. Who wouldn't be? Just because you're anti-war doesn't mean you don't like to see a torturer and murderer of innocents get his come-uppance (if in fact he's gotten it--it's a little too early to tell).

But there are repercussions that are going to follow. Various intelligence sources have already commented that this war has been a prime breeding ground for further Al Queda recruitment of more terrorists, and since terrorism against the U.S. is what gets your average Joe Average jumping up in his seat, we could be in for some trouble there. Besides, despite American media portraying a grinning, victory-saluting Iraqi population hailing our troops, there is still instability. The BBC reports further fighting and looting in Baghdad, not twenty-four hours of the American occupation.

Although even Rumsfeld is cautioning us that it's not over, the television and front-page pictures are saying otherwise. Keep your ear to the ground.