I‘m not interested in making this blog political -– there are plenty of other online forums for that — but my job is to write about what I see and right now it’s hard not to see that the United States has men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
So here’s a just couple of observations as to what we can learn from our current situation in the Middle East
The Bush administration is pushing for a troop surge so that we can give ourselves “the proper chance to win” and “achieve victory.” That’s what the rhetoric I hear and read about. But does anyone know what winning in Iraq means anymore? I hear politicians using these words to justify their actions, but I’ve lost the thread of the current definition of winning.
At first, I remember Mr. Bush told me that winning meant removing Saddam and his nuclear arsenal. Next, I remember hearing how winning was about establishing a democracy in Iraq. Rolled up in these was the idea that winning meant defeating the “global terrorist threat,” Al Qaeda, and Islamo-fascists.
These days, with the multi-layered mass chaos permeating Iraq, I do not hear anyone with a clear-cut definition of what that intention of winning really means.
(Of course, it’s entirely possible that I am missing something here. If you’ve heard the answer to the question “How the US wins in Iraq” and can distill that to one sentence, please share with me in the comments below.)
In order to win any game, you must know the rules of how to win, right? In football, when the clock runs out, the team with the most points wins. In Monopoly, the last player with a bankroll takes the cake. In a war of days gone by, the object was to get the other country to surrender or come to terms.
Playing the game of war (where “game” is defined as “an activity with some rules engaged in for an outcome”) without a crystal-clear definition of the desired outcome leads to problems. Huge problems.
When asked how the United States was faring in Iraq, Mr. Bush recently revealed how fuzzy the current metric for success in Iraq is with his reply: “We’re not winning, we’re not losing." (President Bush in an interview with The Washington Post on12/19/2006.)
Huh?
Until the United States has a clear definition of what it means to win, I do not expect to see things improve in Iraq, no matter how many troops go into harm’s way. I pray that Mr. Bush comes to this awareness.
For anyone interesting in growing and evolving to a better life, it’s critical to have a personal definition of what it means for you to “win” in life.
Do you have a clear metric to measure your quality of life?
Of the people who do, very often this metric has to do with money or something outside of themselves. In my experience, external measuring sticks do not work nearly as well as internal ones. In getting to know a new client, I ask them to respond to this question: "I know how successful I am being by how ______ I feel.
Having read hundreds of responses to that question, I can tell you when you boil down all the answers I’ve received to their essence, the common thread is that people wish to feel free in their lives. *
So what does freedom mean? Of course this is a subjective question, but a personal definition of freedom would be that I feel I am doing what I choose, where I choose, when I choose, and with whom I choose.
I find that the external metrics like money and possessions are the natural by-products that reflect how closely I adhere to my personal freedom path.
Choosing that which feels free always feels best to me. But that does not mean that those choices are always the easiest ones to make. Often it’s quite the contrary; choosing the path that makes us feel free collides with our greatest fears.
However, having this personal barometer of what it means for me to win serves as the ultimate tool to ground me and send me in the direction of inspiration.
At any given moment, I can stop and reflect how free I feel. In that moment, if I notice that I feel like I’m operating from a place that does not reflect my desire, I know I need to make a change in my life.
Consciously choosing the best feeling (even when it defies my logical mind), I have found that my life just gets better and better and better. Feeling free attracts more freedom. Winning attracts more winning.
Above all else, you need to know what it means to win before you can play to win.
*(Ironically, I realize this was an original definition of why we went into Iraq – to free the Iraqi people from Saddam’s tyranny and be “greeted as liberators.” However, I don’t hear that as a definition of winning anymore.)
P.S. In his State of the Union speech this year, Mr. Bush warned that the United States "must not fail in Iraq."
If any one reading this has his ear, please see if he’s willing to learn how to create a proper intention.
Couldn’t have written it better myself. Thanks Drew for the well-written, timely discourse on this thing we call war.
Both you (Drew) and Mary Ann are clueless as to what winning is. Mary Ann because she stated nothing but “rah rah – you tell ’em” waste-of-time suck-up comments. Drew – all you did was state completely your lack of understand of world affairs and how the complicated matter of fighting a formidable enemy has escaped you – hook line and sinker via the left and probably other bloggers online.
Normally this is the point where I’d explain how each and every “point” you jotted down is rhetoric itself – and I’d show evidence refuting each and every one …but simply by what you’ve written, I’ve come to understand people like yourself aren’t looking to understand what we face …just like the law of attraction, your innermost thought is probably “war is bad …how can we end it?” or some such nonsense – a line of “reasoning” that gets more people killed than any and all wars combined. Perhaps your thoughts – innermost thoughts should focus on our how the middle-east is arranged, who our allies are and why – who our enemies are and why …how things became the way they became with Israel, the Palestinians, Al Qaeda, the Islamic world, oil production and consumption and 9/11 …
…once you’ve devoted enough “thought” to this – and the made yourself knowledgeable about it …then I’d suggest understanding the politics of the left and the 5th column they’ve had established in this country since the 1960’s …then, understanding the politics of the right and the Christian right and their effect upon legislation … and not to forget a solid and complete understand of Power and Conquest throughout history – to include Ghengis Khan, Alexander the Great, …and the, most notably Mao Tse Tung and how he overthrew the Nationalist Chinese.
Once you take the time to understand all of the above… you might then attract the answers to why politicians say what they say, try to change the definitions of the word “is” and in some cases put themselves before their country – and in other cases put their country before themselves and their political careers.
Naive “How stupid is this war” b.s. only serves to completely and succinctly expose yourself as someone who doesn’t understand geopolitical affairs, power, winning and losing… and thus, you’ll only attract people like Mary Ann to pat you on the back and tell you you’re right.
Good Luck – I suggest just one more thing …the only way to stop from becoming misinformed about yourself and the world is to understand not how you want it to be, not how you think it might be and not how it oughta’ be …but how it really is.
This is known as “reality”.
Best,
Jonathan
Jonathan. People like you get so heated by such topics that you all can’t wait to spew forth your comments at probably every and any opportunity. Maybe that’s what you’re “attracting.” Seems you overlooked the first sentence of Drew’s blog.
“I’m not interested in making this blog political -– there are plenty of other online forums for that – but my job is to write about what I see…”
Chill. Please chill.
Ahhh…Mary Ann – the old “people like you” garbage … letting that just roll off my back – re-read what I wrote and you’ll notice it’s quite calm, cool, collected and logical. You see – it was the first sentence of Doug’s rant that is what prompted me to write what I did in the first place. It’s the old “I’m not going to say XYZ …but XYZ.” And you just bought it completely …so much so that you’re even trying to use the very logic I’m pointing out here as a bludgeon of sorts. Sorry … when someone puts forth an argument that only confirms the evidence of one’s on own inability to see through lies, rhetoric and power-games that one has bought into from special interests (read: move on .org, left wing media, etc.) …then that person needs a lesson in understanding world affairs. Your situation however is different because you’re not doing anything but cheering-on the person who has no clue.
That’s actually one last lesson for you … instead of reading your leftist rants … how about disconnecting from all of our media …and re-connecting with jihadist media … literally. Al Qaeda, and many islamic websites are free for the reading … and they’re translated too. I say this not sarcastically… I mean in in a completely literal sense …when you see true hatred… due to our support of Israel…true hatred due to our own way of life …true hatred of jews and christians… coupled with their nodding in agreement with our left-wing media …when you see our enemies saying this from their own mouths… my guess is one of two things will happen to you: 1/You’ll realize what’s really happening out there and you’ll change your ways and see that people like Drew are simply out of touch with reality or 2/You’ll begin to believe in them – our enemies in a “Stockholm Syndrome” fashion …that we should lose the war and pull out and stop our support of Israel, etc.
Again – i wish you luck …our enemies though, salute you…and would love for you to continue just as you are.
Jonathan
Wow! Well, I guess you can’t expect to post something political and not expect some hot political comments!
I was very supportive of this war at the beginning. Some niggling doubts were there about the son showing his daddy how to get rid of the bad guys once and for all…and all that oil…
Drew, I’m sure you are well aware of the political agenda of both the left, right and Christian right. I’m sure you are also aware of the great wars led by Gengis Khan, Alexander the Great and could probably quote “The Art of War” by Sun-tzu. You have proven your well rounded education and grasp of current events consistently
You are dead-on (no pun intended ;-P) that this war cannot compare since there has been little leadership except that which will get a president’s buddy rich by the war machine. I’m sure our friend Jonathon understands the war machine and will recognize the name Halliburton and can name the oil investments that the Bush family owns…
There has been a widely documented loss of direction and momentum in this ‘freedom of the Iraqi ppl’. If that is still the goal, we have failed miserably. And unfortunately you cannot get a pres. to admit failure who has not completed his own personal agenda at the gas pump.
In June my kids father and my daughter’s boyfriend head to Afghanistan for their 1 yr of duty. Mind you, they are in the National Guard…that was never meant for duty outside of our Nation…Amazing how there seems to be so much less violence there than there is in the oil rich country…hmmm…
And Drew, don’t be afraid of politics! It can be just as fun as spirituality and religion. The line separating morality and politics should certainly be lifted as it was supposedly morality that brought us to Iraq, but immorality that keeps us there.
Great post!
Diana –
Your rant is so ridiculous and copied and pasted from left-wing blogs it doesn’t deserve a response. Furthermore, nothing in what Drew wrote shows he “understands” or could quote any of the history I (or you) mentioned – so get off your “rah-rah” wagon and start quoting something more than cynical blog b.s. …
…so let Drew fight his own battles …you’re just making him look worse by exposing the kinds of people who support him with sound-bites of silly, irrational rhetoric.
Diana…don’t waste your time posting again …and in fact – if more people want to post …you need to explain your understanding of Geo-politics and our enemies before you spout “Haliburton” and “oil buddy” b.s.
Jonathan
Hmmm, I am actually supposed to be running out the door right now, but I can’t resist.
I am not sticking up for Drew or anyone else in this post other than to say you can not discount the human experience of what is going on in ths WAR with information or being well informed. I feel Drew was sharing his experience of the situation, you can share your experience or knowledge of the situation without starting the “WAR” of who is right or who is wrong. Seems that’s what got us here in the first place.
For me I would like to see some real COURAGE show up not only in myself but in our leadership, where the right and the wrong of it become less important than the humanity of the whole situation. Millions of people are suffering, not just the Iraqi’s but our troops and their families and children. I have an 18 year old cousin who went to serve and will never be the same, not from being injured but by being affected by his experience there. What about them?
That being said I don’t pretend to know what is best, or that I am even well informed of all the political moves or strategies. Just sharing my experience in saying I care about the people that are being affected by this war in Iraq and here and if there was ever a game plan,mine would be to look at solutions to end the suffering. Idealistic I know.. but I’m just sharing my experience and how can that be wrong?
Where is the middle ground where people stop choosing sides and bring together their experience and intelligence in some way that is useful instead of destructive?
I suppose I’ll intend for that answer to show up…
Wendi
Wendi –
It’s your type of opinion that I honestly love …because you’re the central focus of the problem in this country and the reason why the enemy is a hair’s breath away from prevailing and ultimately defeating us – not in Iraq, but here… let me take hits one piece at a time…
>
First – let me state this for one last time – so any following posts regarding “Drew” or “what Drew is trying to say” are simply going to be ignored – unless it’s by “Drew” himself… and lastly, Wendi – you did exactly what Drew himself did when he said “I’m not going to say XYZ …but XYZ” …this “I’m not going to stick up for Drew …” and then you go on to do exactly what you said you wouldn’t… so again this bit is simply discounted… I feel however you need to be addressed so I’ll do so on your other points…
>
—-> It is insane statements like this that almost throw me into convulsions. Do you get how much COURAGE IT TAKES TO SEND PEOPLE INTO HARMS WAY???? Do you understand for ONE SECOND the kind of courage it takes to understand that if you don’t act, and everyone is telling you that a madman has you in his sites that people could die if you do nothing (Like Clinton did with Bin Laden – putting his political career before the good of the country) …that you’ve got a choice – if you’re wrong, you’re going to be blamed for everything …but if you’re right millions might be saved. Do you get that?
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—-> WHAT ABOUT THEM??? HEY DARLIN’ – WHAT ABOUT US???? You see – the average Al Qaeda Jihadist doesn’t ask “what about them” when he thinks about his family or the people he’s blowing up …he thinks “God is Great” and loves the idea of dying MUCH MORE than you love the idea of living. And all you do my dear is make his job much, much easier by trying to say “war is bad…it should go away” …the only thing he has to say to you is “Thank you – very much…and you’re right …war is bad …it will end when I have defeated your country – you and everyone like you who supports Israel. Oh I forgot – even if you didn’t support Israel – you are in an infidel – and deserve to die regardless – so thank you for helping me win the war – and by the way – can you get on your knees fo me? It’ll make my cutting your head off a lot easier. Thanks.”
>
—>Indeed you don’t – and it’s your lack of understanding that provides our enemy greater advantage against us. When I was younger I used to laugh at the WWII newsreel movies called “Know your Enemy!!! Japan!!” and think “ahh- this is just that propaganda crap they filled the country with while poor Japanese were put in internment camps” …Jesus …now I really get why they made those films. Were they over the top? Sure …but did they give us an understand of the ruthlessness of the Japanese soldier and how he’d stop at nothing to fight for his Emperor …absolutely… so much so that they were found 30-40 years later old soldiers who never surrendered because they didn’t know the war had ended. Sure… the films were silly to portray those people as blood-thirsty….but now I understand the purpose of such movies … because people such as yourself think in terms of “the human cost” …when you haven’t got a clue as to what the enemy as in store for you simply because you don’t know him.
>
—> No – it’s not idealistic – it’s just plain foolish. Here’s why – you want to “end the suffering” …your enemy wants to kill you – and that his end. Hmm… gee – do you think there’s anything to negotiate there? This is precisely why people like you need to absolutely immerse yourself in the understanding of winning, losing and why conflict happens.
>
I’ve illustrated how sharing your experience is wrong in that it supports our enemies. Want to know how? When we all heard about Al Zarqawi and the Al Qaeda leadership in conflict with one another …it made us feel good. After all these are the very people that brought us 9/11 …doesn’t it make you feel good that our enemies are in disarray, quarraling, in conflict and confused? It means they are easier to defeat. It’s that simple. Well let’s just turn that aroun… if all our enemies see is us protesting and writing little “war is bad” pieces like what you’ve just done … it means they feel just as good, if not better because we’re much more gigantic than they are. Felling a giant is much more powerful to the psyche and ego (gee – wouldn’t that be wonderful to have terrorist instilled with that kind of win in their hearts over us?) …than squashing ants.
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That ended on 9/11. It’s answers like “can’t we juts get along?” in a world like this that we live in that are so utterly ridiculous it serves only to help enemies who don’t ask such questions…
…Let me put this in a more simple way …you see – you’re looking at things the way Gandhi would …a very noble thing indeed. But ya’ see – Gandhi wouldn’t do very well against the Nazis now – would he? Ya’ see – while Gandhi would sit down in a some form of “solution based” “can’t we end this violence Mr. SS Man?”
type of action …the SS guy would simply shrug …callin a firing squad …shoot all the people as they sat in protest and then move on to the next town of conquest.
What you don’t get is that’s what we’re facing …”solution based” b.s. doesn’t work against nazis or jihadists. They simply want you eliminated.
Jonathan
Wendi –
For some reason each of your quotes didn’t come through in the above … for every “>” there was supposed to be a quote from Wendi’s post ..just follow her post and you’ll see what I was responding to for every paragraph.
Jonathan
And this, boys and girls, is an example of someone who can’t see the forest for the trees… with all due respect sir, ironically, YOU seem to be suffering from Stockholm Syndrome yourself.
You tell others not to post due to their lack of “credentials” and understanding of Geo-Politics, yet I don’t see you listing YOUR credentials.
I won’t even bother to tell you where to find the facts because you wouldn’t be able to see them. You’re obviously within that 20% or so who still believes ” We’ve got to fight them over there or we’ll be fighting them over here”. Unfortunately sir, the facts wouldn’t fit within the fragile paradigm you’ve constructed for yourself. A sheeple. And by the way, I do happen to have one of those blogs you love to hate and I also happen to be the wife of a man who has served in the military for the past 25 years and who spent 15 months in Iraq… is that adequate enough to give my husband and I the right to voice our opinions in your view??
Last time I checked, this country still had a Constitution and Bill of Rights that protected freedom of expression… though judging from your diatribe you would be first in line to take those rights away to “protect” us from the enemy, blissfully ignorant that without them, we become just like those you are so afraid of.
Hi Jonathan –
I appreciate the opportunity to have this conversaton and it makes me realize we are not as far from each other as we think.. there is hope for the future!
I may not understand it but I can see Courage in sending people off to war and in my 18 year old cousin for going, but I also see courage in restraint, in stopping for just a moment to see and respond to what is actually true and continue to create a plan and strategy around what is true.
I don’t wish for it to go away, or call it “bad” what good would that do, I just want the truth, experience, freedom and intelligence that we have to to be used in a way that is effective for the greater good and the greater good being the WIN even if for just a moment we have to risk our significance.
I agree that we need to be smart about preventing terrorism, but is modern war the best way – in the way we know it and see it today. I mean how is it working for us so far? If this is reality what do we do about it… not ignore it and stick to our guns. Is there something to be learned or a way to evolve rather than regress…
We get better at screening airports they get better at creating devices to get past it? We send more troops, we see even more violence and chaos…. This is a sincere question? Not really trying to prove a point here just really wondering?
Lastly…
Very Noble + Very Courageous = Awareness, We might have something there!
and still they might call the firing squad.
Wendi
The sad thing here is that Jonathan believes the world to be a scary and hate-filled place… so it is… for him. We create our own reality through what we believe and through the words we use to define those beliefs to others around us. Quite simply, you get back what you put out… If you believe there is no other alternative, there won’t be. If you believe there are people “out to get you” , there will be…
Hate is an extension of fear, and sadly, fear is something that is being actively cultivated and encouraged at this point in our history…
I sincerely hope that Jonathan and all the others like him will be able one day recognize this…
Hi Wendi –
You are very thoughtful indeed – and in fact, while I see you as no pacifist, I respect your opinion in the same manner that I respect a pacifists opinion…
Without taking too long on this, let me explain what I mean by that: A true pacifist fully understands the threats in the world …they see everything through a prism of reality just the same … they might agree with every word I’ve said and yet still believe that no good will come of war no matter what… and while, normally, one might say “yeah fine – so you’ll get killed where you stand believing that” …a pacifist might reply “but someday there will be more of me than the people who wage war …and my death will be one more step to that end”.
This I respect… because the ideal is noble and, honestly, not necessarily stupid because – while I may disagree with whether or not the outcome will be such – I can’t disprove it either.
This isn’t what most people are talking about though …most people have this notion that their arguments are logical in withdrawal as though that will actually cause people who want to end our lives – to SUDDENLY change their minds… it won’t embolden them …it’ll satisfy them etc. (I’ve already laid this out in previous posts) …
But aside from this to address much of what you’ve said – the idea that “let’s try SOMETHING else – whatever that might be, but something instead of the same course” – is plausible. And my counter to that is – we are. They (the armed forces) are… the Iraqi’s are also … it’s a constant process they keep changing until they get it right …but you’re not being told that. You’re being shown the same negative sound bites over and over and over again – and while much of the sound bites may be true, what you’re not being told is that the people over there aren’t just dolting around doing the same thing… but you’re being lied to in that they are doing the same thing which to most = “stay the course”. What the administration has meant by this is simply that they aren’t going to withdraw …and they’ve stated this time and again. Unfortunately the democrats and the leftist media and blogs know they can just keep the constant drumbeat and use those words “stay the course” because people think it means “do the same thing no matter what” …it doesn’t. It simply means anything less the victory over this insurgency means failure.
Now, I am certainly not going to push the administrations own drumbeat …I’m just pointing out – in the above – that what you’re being told isn’t what they’re saying … it’s just politics (from the media, the left and democrats) to seize power and push their agenda because they now have a vested interest in seeing us lose …why? Because the media has been so wrong on so many things in the last 15 years and pushed their agenda so hard that they realize their credibility is so battered that if they’re wrong again about anything this big, they’re going to be powerless to hold onto the stranglehold of what they have.
Next – regarding “We get better at screening airports they get better at creating devices” ….very good observation – and I’m being serious (not sarcastic) … the only thing i ask you is to now, stop, look around at history and study something called “siege engine / castle defense”. Again, I’ll try not to go on too long here …but when you study not just warfare – but technology/security you’ll find an age-old conflict …. that of the “siege” (or “siege engine”) and the “castle defense”. Boiled down, this is the defense against aggression and the aggression against defense struggle. Just as you have laid out – it’s a game of one-upsmanship…
…and that game NEVER ENDS my dear… I’m sorry to say. It goes all the way back to walled cities and or castles …and those that want what’s behind the walls/within the castle walls. The part that “wants” builds new technologies to knock down walls … the party that “defends” builds harder and better walls and defense systems …and sometimes (when they’re smart) …they’ll be bold enough to strike the party that “wants” prior to their attack so they don’t have to play a waiting game…(this last strategy can work gloriously sometimes – or fail miserably somteimes… it all depends on intelligence, knowing the enemy and many other factors)…
…my dear – look at the very computer you’re typing this on… the elements of what I JUST WROTE above are right in front of you – Windows has a “firewall” …hackers have their spyware and computer viruses… each year the security on pc’s grows stronger …and each year the viruses and spyware get more and more nasty …
…now honestly Wendi …do you think for a SECOND you would be willing to say “well goodness, we can’t beat these guys with the viruses… so why don’t I just let my most precious documents, operating system, pictures and valued data be open to them – or perhaps I should negotiate with these hack’s on some kind of “settlement” with my data?” Of course you wouldn’t do that …
…you’d just understand that the value of what you have is worth defending – and so you’ll adapt (or buy technologies that do) …and they’ll adapt and so on…
…ya’ see -the war we’re in is a new kind of “war on crime” ….it’s not going to end in our lifetimes. You need to get used to this idea….
…but to address the last question – about send in more troops and we get more chaos …that’s not really true …the troops surge is actually working …you’re just not getting the news of it. Seriously… there’s a great deal going on – but all you’re going to hear is about bombings happening and losses we suffer. That’s part of war …and also – try and remember how, when you have a tough job …a job that turns out to be MUCH bigger than you imagine …when you commit to a certain plan of action (not the war – but let’s say certain objectives like terrorist strongholds) …you know, as a military commander what it means – that your’e going to have a spike in casualties and violence …just like what they had to deal with on D-Day in WWII… but the difference during WWII was Roosevelt had control over the media and literally started a press black-out…
…Bush has no such power and if he tried, you’d have fools out there screaming like banshee’s… even though it’s what we need in order to win. Roosevelt got this. Not many people do today.
Last – If you want one of THE best understanding on Geo Politics, terrorism, domestic policy … subscribe to Stratfor’s weekly emails (they’re free – and I have no tie to them or anything …it’s just opened my eyes to what we’ve done good – how we’ve screwed up [they pull no punches] and a whole host of realistic stuff)…
Go to stratfor.com and don’t subscribe to the pay newsletter (that’s really for paid think-tank people and political junkies and foreign policy wonks) …somewhere in their is a free newsletter …2-3 of them …subscribe to the one’s that have the words “intelligence” or something like that – terrorism and something having to do with foreign policy or such …you’ll see which ones I mean…
..and just so you know – these guys say stuff WARTS and all …they literally talk no bones about it that the U.S. has gotten itself into a “straight jacket” and we’re simply out of options… so this is no right-wing thing, nor is it a leftist rant …they talk about stuff like “here’s where we are – here’s where we’ve been – here’s where it looks like it’s going …here are all the options that might be best” …and they gleen this from sources in a broad array of fields.
Okay – enough of that – again, I have no affiliation with them …they just seem to be the most realistic on what’s happening, minus the media hype (both good or bad… Fox or MSNBC) …and you seem to be an intellectually honest enough person to read the stuff and form your own opinions.
That’s it my dear …again, I really do respect everything you’ve said and I take from it a lot …I hope you’ll do the same and find resources to decide things on your own because it’s become apparent that you’re a person looking for solutions… not one waiting to say “yes” to those peddling silly agendas.
Best,
Jonathan
I appreciate everyone taking the time to comment.
I have no problem with people disagreeing, but being disrespectful is not cool here. There are plenty of other places to find that kind of energy.
From my eyes, my piece was more about INTENTION that politics. For anything you wish to create, you are best served to have intentions that are 1) clear, 2) positive, and 3) specific without being too specific.
But whatever the reader sees is what’s true, I suppose. Whether you loved it or hated it, I’m not sure how much I really have to do with either…
On a semi-related note, on election day many years ago I remember independently asking my parents who they voted for that day. They both answered that it was “none of my business.” I still don’t know. I could infer all sorts of things about their political views, but that does not make them true. I had forgotten that until reading some of the comments here.
So, thanks mom and dad. Again. That was a positive thing to do even if it drove me nuts for the day.
Drew –
Agree on the respect issue – my apologies to you for any disrespect you rec’d from me…
…and as far as any I rec’d – I stopped responding to those that issued same a few days ago.
Bottom line is, the war is a very difficult and divisive issue …just as politics is – and (now that you mention it) just as voting and who one supports is…
…that said, the war is a separate beast. Politics… it may or may not effect us. War can (and will – good or bad, win or lose) effect how all of us will live – and how our children will live. I’m not one to bring in “let’s do it for the children” b.s. – I state this however to point out that growing up during and post Vietnam, I’ve now had to endure 9/11 (as all of you have) and the grueling war that Iraq has become, simply and consequently due to our loss (again, wrong, right, good or bad) in Vietnam. I believe I’ve already stated why in the above – but if not just a simple outline:
Vietnam Lost = Iran’s Thumbing it’s nose at us knowing Carter’s inability to use force due to Vietnam’s recent memory (Carter tries with rescue – fails – makes us look worse)
+
Beirut pullout after Marine Barracks Bombing because U.S. is too afraid of another quagmire = militants in Mideast see pattern of loss of will by Americans on world stage (even under Reagan who is too preoccupied with facing off against USSR to worry about the true menace of terrorism that will blossom) Bin Laden and other future terrorists take note.
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Somalia debacle and withdrawal = direct result of the sum of the above events (Bin Laden and other Al Qaeda members fully understand at this point that America simply doesn’t have will to carry out protracted struggle against anyone who has nothing left to lose… Clinton plays right into it)
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Cole Bombing
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Kobar Towers
…America doesn’t react the way it should – Clinton too afraid of public opinion. to take necessary risks in order to defeat Bin Laden.
+
9/11 occurs.
= All of the above equals Iraq and the problems we face there. The domino and spectre of Vietnam began it all …
…people were emboldened due to our loss in Vietnam… those emboldened went after us in Beirut…and then Somalia by people emboldened seeing us being driven out of Beirut… and then those seeing us not have the guts to stick it out in Somalia are now throwing everything into Iraq….
…we have to live with the loss by dealing with people who see that we don’t have the will to outlast them all…
…we lose in Iraq – we are completely F’ed in more ways than any of you here can possibly imagine (nor can I for that matter…I never could’ve imagined 9/11 but I – and you – sure as hell have to live with it)…
…so what’s the solution? Simple: We look back on the enemies we’ve defeated and – DON’T use the same tactics …but figure out what it was that allowed us to prevail… and let me tell you – it was NEVER winning hearts and minds. We defeated the German’s because they were scared to death of our troops (the average German soldier thought we had unleashed people from prison to come over and fight them …they had nightmares over the “V” for victory haircuts some of the G.I.’s sported)…
…we defeated the Japanese by being more brutal than they were and blowing them to kingdom come…
…and there-in lies the key…
… the way we’ve always prevailed over our enemies is by instilling fear in them. This is how we won the world wars …this is how we defeated the most formidable of the American Indian tribes (the Commanches were notorious for using tactics beyond any known to our military… so the Texas Rangers learned their tactics and used those tactics against them to a degree more brutal.. and it worked)…
…the bottom line is – the Islamic world thinks we’re just a bunch of scared people who don’t have the guts to be brutal to them ….and that’s why the only way to beat them is to show them through actions that we’ll do what they do – only worse. Only then will fear be instilled in them …and only then will they think twice about going up against us.
This may be a difficult thing to have to deal with and face …but it’s reality. We leave them alone – they hate us … we give them what they want …they hate us … we act in the best interest by trying to secure their hearts and minds …they hate us…
…wow – everything I write sounds like some scared white-Anglo-Saxon Protestant …right?
Surprise… my back ground is from the Middle-East. I know them well because I’m one of them.
Best,
Jonathan