Conflict in Iraq: punishment for 9/11 or serious mistake? September 11, 2001 is a date in American history that will not be forgotten by American citizens. After the assault on the Twin Towers in Manhattan and the Pentagon in Washington DC, the attitudes and policies of both the American people and the US government changed. Fear spread from every street corner, and hatred and discrimination emanated from every store or gas station run predominantly by citizens of Middle Eastern origin. In response, President Bush told the American people "We will never forget," meaning those responsible for the attacks would be found and compensation would be secured. However, instead of hunting down Osama bin Laden (the leader of the terrorist group al-Qaeda) or Mohammed Atta (the mastermind behind the events of 9/11), the United States decided to hunt down Saddam Hussein. Secretary of State Colin Powell (directed by the US government) reported in a speech on 5 February 2003 that Saddam had both the materials and the means to create weapons of mass destruction and also had ties to al-Qaeda terrorists. Qaeda ("The Way of War"). This statement led the United States to declare on March 17, 2003 that Saddam Hussein and his sons had 48 hours to leave the country or the United States would take military action ("Iraq Timeline"). Hussein and his family did not comply, and on March 20, 2003, George W. Bush began bombing Iraq, specifically where Saddam and his officials were thought to be hiding. On May 1, 2003, President Bush declared the conflict over, just 42 days after the fighting officially began. Even today, conflict and death still reign in Iraq. The United States held military power over Iraq and held democratic elections to help develop a democratic, America-supporting country. The government was handed over to the Iraqis on June 28, 2004. Nowadays, fighting between the U.S. military and indigenous rebels, combined with the killing of American hostages, represents a great deal of conflict and suffering for the American people . On average, 3-4 US citizens die in military service every day in Iraq and on some days up to 12 deaths have accumulated in a single day. ("Casualties in Iraq") I call on the American people to realize that this is a great injustice. I do not condone 9/11 in any way, shape or form.