Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has offered a far-reaching amnesty plan that calls for a prisoner release and pardons for insurgent-terrorists who have staged attacks against Americans and Iraqis.

According to a version of the plan published in an Iraqi newspaper this month, a national committee and local subcommittees will be created to welcome insurgents and begin a "truthful national dialogue in dealing with contradicting visions and stance."

Apparently President Bush "supports" the plan.

Bush said in a June 14, 2006, statement: "Prime Minister Maliki is promoting reconciliation among the Iraqi people. And during my discussions with his cabinet and others, the concept of reconciliation kept coming up. People know they've got to reconcile the past in order to have a bright future. He told us he's going to soon appoint a reconciliation committee that will focus on resolving specific concerns of different Iraqi communities. We will support his efforts to bring the Iraqis together by encouraging leaders from countries like South Africa to share their experiences with this new government, to help them reconcile the past."

Cut through the spin. "Reconciliation" means "amnesty" and "amnesty," as presented in Maliki's plan refers to insurgent-terrorists who have attacked, maimed, tortured and murdered American servicemen and women.

President Bush's position that "people know they've got to reconcile the past in order to have a bright future," must certainly apply to all American servicemen and women who have served or are serving in Iraq and are waiting to be charged, have been charged, or have been convicted of crimes against Iraqis.

Don't our nation's true heroes, the men and women who are serving now or have served in America's Armed Forces, deserve that same "reconciliation" of the past so that they may also "have a bright future?"

No more talk about pardoning insurgent-terrorists unless the plan also applies to American servicemen and women.

Free the "Pendleton Eight!"