Not a day passes that the Bush Administration is not under fire by the media and Democrats alike in regards to the military’s continued occupation of Iraq. Naysayers denounce the administration’s efforts to salvage a military operation that may have been conceived of undisclosed intent, and they cry foul over investments made in both federal funds and human lives.

Little do these anti-war zealots realize that were it not for the maintenance of this military action the American blood being spilled would not be on foreign soil but would be right here, in America. The occupation of Iraq may actually be a secret, simple-minded yet effective means devised by the Administration in which to keep terrorism away from American soil. If this is the case, then Bush has shown the cunning of a chessmaster in using our military as a decoy in his attempt to thwart terror.

In the most basic definition this master plan, Bush has made our armed forces the bait, keeping anti-American terrorism in the Middle East. By leaving our men and women in the terror network’s backyard Bush has tempted the terror network’s thriftiness. He has subconsciously dictated how and where terror operations should spend their resources. It is so much easier for them to dedicate their leadership, manpower, monies, and equipment to attacks within their own soil. Why would they spend money and handle confounding logistics abroad with lesser results when they can spend it on their own turf with, essentially, more bang for their bucks? The terrorist now have, thanks to the proximity of our military, a relatively easy means by which to wreak havoc upon Americans, whether it be through secretive attacks or funding of Iraqi insurgents.

Were our military not there in the midst of the terror network’s holy lands and back doors, terror resources would be rededicated to their prime intent of attacking Americans in America. One cannot discount the fact that something is working against terror, be it this secret baiting plan or a heightened awareness amongst all divisions of government. Nearly all Americans feel safe within our borders and terrorism has become but an afterthought. We can now freely roam about by land, water, or air with minimal fear of never seeing another day. We have reverted to our pre-September-11^th ways.

The concept of baiting away terrorist activities remains fairly quiet in media circles and political science discussion alike. This, perhaps, is due not to its rather profound basis, but rather to the fact that in its truest essence this plan is based upon human sacrifice, if not martyrdom. Very few would even dare to supplant emotion with logic and announce to all that the government is right in trading away a few human lives for a better overall national security and the protection of thousands of innocent citizens.

Regardless of emotion, if this risky chess match truly is the actual intent of the Iraqi occupation and it continues to do its job in keeping terrorists at bay – as it has for over a year now - then everyone, including the anti-Bush media and Democrats, can say to themselves that Bush and his cabinet have exhibited utter genius in their war on terrorism.