Obama came to national prominence because of his opposition to the war in Iraq. At a time when most American leaders-Democrats included-dared not challenge the lies of the Bush administration, a newly minted Senator found his voice.
As President, he just ended that war. We have not achieved everything we wanted. Iraq is still fragile and could easily slip into dictatorship or anarchy. Guantanamo Bay still houses illegally kidnapped detainees. Afghanistan is a quagmire. The economy will never recover from the trillions spent on these wars.
Still, it is a moment to savor. And to honor the thousands who sacrificed their lives in Iraq.