Bob Schaffer, November 15, 2002

This Holiday Season might remind some of the Christmas in 1942. By December of that year, the momentum of World War II began to swing toward the United States and our allies.

News of victories in North Africa, the Doolittle raid, breaking the Japanese Code, the Battle of Midway gave the free world hope while the German push in Russia was also routed. Similarly, the U.S and its allies have crushed and scattered the al-Qaeda terrorist regime in Afghanistan, arrested its top leaders, and contained the threats of Iraq.

The battle is far from over. Al-Quaeda, though disorganized, has not been eliminated. Some of its elements are hiding in Iraq where American troops will spend Christmas working to incapacitate Saddam Hussein, destroy his arsenal of weapons of mass destruction, and bring Iraq into compliance with international resolutions.

The situation reminds me of an observations shared by President Franklin Roosevelt during one of his fireside chats. "When you see a rattlesnake poised to strike," he told the country, "you do not wait until he has struck before you crush him." In the same way, President Bush has made it clear that America will not tolerate Saddam’s efforts to stockpile dangerous weapons for certain use against free nations.

While there exists uncertainty about the ultimate demise of these forces of darkness, America still maintains purposeful resolve against the conspiracies of terrorists and the "axis of evil" reminiscent of Christmas 1942. During his Christmas message that year, Pope Pius XII also encouraged the world to stand firm.

"To you, crusader-volunteers of a distinguished new society, live up to the new call for moral and Christian rebirth, declare war on the darkness which comes from deserting God, of the coolness that comes from strife between brothers," he said. "It is a fight for the human race, which is gravely ill and must be healed in the name of conscience ennobled by Christianity."

The pope’s description of WWII could easily be applied to the current situation. Preserving freedom and liberty is about preserving human civilization.

This Christmas, Americans will stand firm against the practitioners of terrorism and indignities toward mankind. Our country's soldiers have once again been called to demonstrate their bravery, courage and training. They deserve our support and our most solemn Christmas prayers. Our supplications are indeed necessary in helping our troops succeed in securing "peace on earth and goodwill toward man."

Congressman Bob Schaffer represents Colorado's Fourth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.