Georgia's Finest

Today, vigils and moments of silence were held across the state of Georgia in memory of her fallen soldiers.

Barely anyone in Georgia's state Capitol had a dry eye by the end of the two minutes of silence observed Thursday afternoon to honor the state's 56 soldiers killed in the Iraq war.

Gov. Sonny Perdue led an hourlong prayer vigil under the Gold Dome to remember the men and women in the state -- and across the nation -- who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The formal ceremony opened with the color guard and the national anthem, followed by the two-minute silent tribute. Then, religious leaders from various faiths led the audience through prayers of strength, comfort and condolence.

I am always in awe when a soldier loses his or her life fighting for God and country. I have said little of controversy since I've started writing this blog, but recently I've thought about the future of America, as well as the future of Iraq. Although I opposed the invasion of Iraq, and I am unapologetic about that fact, I do not and can not support withdrawal from that nation. I have always felt that a failed state is more dangerous to American security than a rogue state; just look at the global terrorism that was able to breed in Somalia, Sudan, and Afghanistan.

There are very few solutions at this point, and I don't believe immediate democracy in Iraq is one of them. Democracy can only survive in a stable nation, and a stable nation Iraq isn't. While ethnic and religious groups bicker over their role in the new government, subsequently missing the self-imposed August 15 deadline, more Iraqis and Americans are dying. The Constitution will certainly officially lay the foundation for a bureaucracy in Iraq, how much can that bureaucracy be trusted to maintain the interests of the Iraqi people? Corruption already plagues our recruiting efforts over there. The future of Iraq is yet to be seen, and like it or not, America's future is tied with Iraq's.