Posted on 09/10/2008 7:33:15 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd
No one likes war. War is a horrific affair, bloody and expensive. Sending our men and women into battle to perhaps die or be maimed is an unconsciounable thought.
Yet some wars need to be waged, and someone needs to lead. The citizenry and Congress are often ambivalent or largely opposed to any given war. It's up to our leader to convince them. That's why we call the leader "Commander in Chief."
George W's war was no different. There was lots of resistance to it. Many in Congress were vehemently against the idea. The Commander in Chief had to lobby for legislative approval.
Along with supporters, George W. used the force of his convictions, the power of his title, and every ounce of moral persuasion he could muster to rally support. He had to assure Congress and the public that the war was morally justified, winnable and affordable. Congress eventually came around and voted overwhelmingly to wage war.
George W. then lobbied foreign governments for support. But in the end, only one European nation helped us. The rest of the world sat on its hands and watched.
After a few quick victories, things started to go bad. There were many dark days when all the news was discouraging. Casualties began to mount. It became obvious that our forces were too small. Congress began to drag its feet about funding the effort.
Many who had voted to support the war just a few years earlier were beginning to speak against it and to accuse the Commander in Chief of misleading them. Many critics began to call him incompetent, an idiot, and even a liar. Journalist joined the negative chorus with a vengeance.
As the war entered its fourth year, the public began to grow weary of the conflict and the casualties. George W's popularity plummeted. Yet, through it all, he stood firm, supporting the troops and endorsing the struggle.
Without his unwavering support, the war would have surely ended, then and there, in overwhelming and total defeat.
At this darkest of times, he began to make some changes. More troops were added and trained. Some adviser were shuffled, and new general installed.
Then, unexpectedly and gradually, things began to improve. Now it was the enemy that appeared to be growing weary of the lengthy conflit and losing support. Victories began to come, and hope returned.
Many critics in Congress and the press said the improvement were just George W's good luck. The progress, they said, would be temporary. He knew, however, that in warfare good fortune counts.
Then, in the unlikeliest of circumstances and perhaps the most historic example of military luck, the enemy blundered and was resoundingly defeated. After six long years of war, The Commander in Chief basked in a most hard-fought victory.
So, on that historic day, October 19, 1781, in a place called Yorktown, a satisfied George Washington sat upon his beautiful white horse and accepted the surrender of General Cornwallis, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.
WHAT? Were you thinking of someone else?
So... I'm posting with what I have.
Enjoy.
IBD?
Superb!
ping
Investor’s Business Daily?
Incorrect.
Most Americans like justifiable wars which are won (preferably quickly) and with minimal cost (human and material).
No one likes a war that drags on with no end in sight and that where we look like loosers.
Now that we're finally on track (where we should have been 4-5 years ago), the Iraq war shouldn't be as much of an issue come Nov.
It's too bad that some writers don't know what a paragraph is...
History repeats it’s self.
Brings to mind the piece Zell Miller came out with regarding the MSM covering the landings at Iwo Jima.
Actually, arms manufacturers love war as well as those who finance war. War is money.
re: No one likes war.
You’re so right about that being incorrect. In fact, I can think of a couple of wars right now I would like so much I would even enjoy them. Sorry, but after 30 years of constant pick, pick, pick from Iran, not to mention their overt efforts to kill and injure Americans in Iraq, my ability to turn the other cheek is severely impaired. It would only take one good thrashing of their pitiful regime to shut them up. In fact, I’m thinking the Junior ROTC from one of our local high schools could probably do the job.
I know discretion is the better part of valor, but just once I’d like to see all hell break loose on them when they try one of their patented finger-in-the-eye operations.
bump
The enemy always 'gets a vote'. Any you can always find somebody to tell you that their warnings were ignored when the spit hits the fan.
If GWB pours in the troops in the wake of the successful invasion/takedown (as he probably should have done), then maybe John Kerry wins the 2004 election & pulls us out. Or maybe China moves on Taiwan. It's hard to say what would have happened.
Notice ... how history keeps repeating itself.
Notice how man does not learn or change.
Same old attacks keep occurring.
Same old medias keep lying about the truth.
etc.
“Sorry, but after 30 years of constant pick, pick, pick from Iran, not to mention their overt efforts to kill and injure Americans in Iraq, my ability to turn the other cheek is severely impaired. It would only take one good thrashing of their pitiful regime to shut them up. In fact, I’m thinking the Junior ROTC from one of our local high schools could probably do the job.”
Wow are we on the same page!
Here’s what I think would be a good plan for Iran right now:
More or less covertly, position a good percentage of our Iraq forces along the Iranian border. I believe between satellite and drone reconnaissance, and rapid response units and aircraft we could seal the border very effectively.
Broadcast by whatever means necessary to the Iranian people that we have nothing against them, but only their regime. Encourage the military to desert or revolt.
Launch airsrikes against: the Iranian nuclear program, government buildings, military installations and vehicles. Try to take out every Iranian capability for military force, except the soldiers (without advanced weapons they’re not much good anyhow).
Issue an ultimatum to Iran that either it comes to terms immediately, or we take out its oil terminals and they have no oil sales for a LONG time.
Sit back and eat some popcorn.
BTW, rumor has it that we’re about to have five carrier groups in the region.
It was probably written to be displayed online. On opinion pieces like this, short paragraphs are actually better. They often end up in a skinny column sandwiched between other things, and a regular paragraph ends up as big block of text that many people just skip over rather than try to read.
what a great post - thank you for sharing it; I have already sent this to several friends and posted it on another blog that I am a member of!!!
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