The recent shooting that left a Blue Earth native wounded in Iraq is the latest demonstration that despite America’s relatively easy military victory in Iraq, danger still lurks. The first part of the war may have been won, but there is still much work to do before America’s final objective &045; a democratic Iraq that can govern itself, in place of the near-anarchy that now rules &045; can be achieved.

That will take time, but with our troops in constant danger as they police Iraq, it should be the United States’ goal to help Iraq set up its own government, then get out of the way as soon as possible.

Since the Iraqi military dissolved, the country seems to have become even more dangerous for the American troops, with shootings by snipers and attacks by suicide bombers happening seemingly daily. To be in that situation for years would be an American nightmare and would hurt the morale of the military and the nation, and embolden al-Qaida and others who theaten our safety.

With the election campaign getting started, President Bush is turning his focus to the economy, as demonstrated by his appearance in Minnesota Thursday. That’s important, but a continued focus on Iraq will also be necessary to truly finish what we started.