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An appeal to the “no boots on the ground” chorus
April 1, 2026 | Kevin Collins

Posted on 04/01/2026 1:39:31 PM PDT by jmaroneps37

This is directed to Republican Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin but there are others, not counting the quislings in the Democrat Party, whose carping and breast beating are less than helpful.

Recently, Congressman Van Orden said, ” I have been clear from the start, NO boots on the ground. ...”

Taking him at his word, the only way to understand this comment is that before any facts about the war on our enemies in Iran had unfolded, he was against “boots on the ground.”

This is an especially curious statement because Congressman Van Orden’s bio says he participated in at least 5 war time operations as a Navy SEAL, all of which would have to be acknowledged as “boots on the ground.”

This begs the question: Did he ever challenge the strategy of any of these operations?

Congressman Van Orden’s C V makes no mention of him having attended the United States Army War College where strategies for winning wars are taught.

His service to our country is a credit to himself and the proud tradition of the Navy’s SEALS who are always there when called upon to complete dangerous and critical missions.

Nevertheless, Congressman Van Orden’s experiences in combat were as an enlisted sailor at the rank of E 8, which precludes his ever having commanding warfighters in a large-scale operation.

Given the realities of today’s dangerous world, it is a certainty that those whom the Congressman fought during his 5 operations were Muslims.

Today, America is in a war against extreme Muslims.

Muslims have been fighting and killing non-Muslims and others they deem to be not Muslim enough for 1400 years.

Their playbook has never changed. They have convinced their lower strata members that giving their life to further the cause of Muslim world domination is a sure ticket to heaven.

That gives them an endless supply of warfighters willing to strap bombs on themselves and commit suicide, if need be, to kill us.

The reality is that they must be stopped by lethal force; and in this case that means face-to-face combat.

Some in our camp don’t seem to accept this.

Some are still fighting World War II and the Korean War again and making believe our enemies then, are indistinguishable from our enemies now.

They are not.

Those wars were fought against enemies who wanted the life we enjoy here in America, and would do whatever they could to take us over and steal our lifestyles.

This is in sharp contrast to our current Muslim enemies.

They hate us. They don’t want our lifestyles.

They hate our lifestyles. They hate what we have and want to kill every last one of us because of the lives we enjoy.

This is where the need for boots on the ground comes in.

Thus far, with the end of March 2026, we have destroyed much of what the Iranian Muslims could have used to kill us.

But “much” doesn’t solve our immediate problem. We need 100%.

There is no value in settling for 99% and declaring victory only to watch this Muslim cancer grow back again bigger and stronger.

Think Fallujah.

In Fallujah the Muslims tricked us with a hundna which is a fake truce Muslims have been using since the Crusades.

They get the infidels to stop fighting with false “peace talks;” but all the while they are regrouping and restocking to get ready for more war.

This trick doesn’t have to work: the Muslims can be pummeled into submission.

In the 19th century White Christian European countries ran Muslim Africa because they used Gatling Guns to kill hundreds of them at a time.

When the Muslims of that era realized their swords were useless against these weapons the fighting stopped for one hundred years.

But the Muslims’ dreams of destroying the whole non-Muslim world lived on and flared up again in 1979.

Since then, six presidents, both Democrat and Republican, stood by and did nothing about the enemy Winston Churchill warned us of in 1899.

No president before Donald Trump has had the stomach to do what was clearly needed to meet this threat head on.

Six presidents kicked the can down the road and hoped that after 1400 years the Muslims would have a Road to Damascus moment and stop trying to kill us. That never happened and will never happen.

Now that we have a leader willing to recognize the truth and stop playing make believe, some in our camp like Congressman Van Orden are insisting that this war must be fought the way they want it to be fought.

If not they will make problems for those in charge of fighting it, and by extension problems for innocent Americans.

Take a good look at Congressman’s gratuitous breast-beating comment again and see if you agree with him or those who are running this most surgically prosecuted war in world history.

“I have been clear from the start “no boots on the ground.”

Unfortunately, he believes this – I don’t impugn his motives – I say he is wrong.

This says that before he had very many facts, he was adamant about, “NO boots on the ground.

“We can accomplish President Trump's objectives without putting boots on the ground in Iran.” | Congressman Derrick Van Orden | Facebook

What are Congressman Van Orden’s grounds for saying this?

He knows this because………… why?

Why does he or any other person not privy to the deliberations in the WAR ROOM think they know this?

Are they saying our combat troops in the Army and Marine Corps are so poorly trained and supported that Congressman Van Orden and others like him would hesitate to send them to do the type of house-to-house combat that likely necessary to actually win this war?

How and why did he conclude, virtually before the war really got started, that he knows more about how to conduct a war than the joint Chiefs of Staff know?

What seems to be missed by the “No boots on the ground” chorus is that we are fighting people that really really want to kill every last one of us.

They will fly planes into buildings to kill us. They will blow themselves up near us to kill us.

They will lay in waiting for chances to murder innocent Americans then run to the darkness like the cowards they are. They have a 7th century mindset of murder as a religious practice.

Yet, in spite of actually fighting this enemy himself, Congressman Van Orden, apparently seems to prefer that America fight NOT to lose rather than fight to win.

Undoubtedly, Congressman Van Orden is all for saving America from our most determined and most dangerous enemies since Pearl Harbor; but he prefers tying President Trump’s hands with HIS edict that we not put “boots on the ground,” to win this war.

This screams, “Clear your plans with me or I will not support your efforts to win this war,” and please don’t tell me it doesn’t.

There is no certainty that the “No Boots on The Ground” chorus demand will bring us victory and we don’t get a do over if they are wrong.

As a nation we learned that the only stand alone air attacks that worked were nuclear and hydrogen bombs.

Is Congressman Van Orden suggesting we use nuclear weapons on the Iranians?

We saw that even conventional bombing around the clock in Viet Nam did little to help us win that war.

Sure, things are a bit different now, but we obviously aren’t getting the advantages we assumed we would get from bombing Iran into a wasteland.

So, what do we do now?

Do we just dust off the old Viet Nam playbook and try making “peace with honor” with people that will never ever stop trying to kill us?

Those who join our military, like Congressman Van Orden, know that there is a degree of danger in what they do, but they do it anyway.

For this we can never thank them enough.

But, given the choice of trusting our very survival to those in the highest levels of our military who are trained and experienced in high level decision making; or following the path of least resistance called for by the “No Boots on The Ground” Chorus, I’ll stick with the Generals and Admirals.


TOPICS: Government; Military/Veterans; Politics
KEYWORDS: bootsontheground
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We can't win unless we do what has to be done. Everyone knows what has to be done. Let's thank God we have people that will do it.
1 posted on 04/01/2026 1:39:31 PM PDT by jmaroneps37
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To: jmaroneps37

Didn’t PDJT campaign by (among other things) castigating prior presidents for “stupid decisions” and “forever wars” ?

I’m just sayin’.


2 posted on 04/01/2026 1:43:22 PM PDT by Steely Tom ([Voter Fraud] == [Civil War])
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To: Steely Tom

He’s ending a 47 year war SFB


3 posted on 04/01/2026 1:46:02 PM PDT by Fledermaus ("It turns out all we really needed was a new President!")
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To: jmaroneps37

You’re enlisting, right?


4 posted on 04/01/2026 1:48:44 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Democracy dies with Democrats.)
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To: Fledermaus
He’s ending a 47 year war SFB

Brer Rabbit keep on axin' 'im, en de Tar-Baby, she keep on sayin' nothin', twel present'y Brer Rabbit draw back wid his fis', he did, en blip he tuck 'er side er de head. Right dar's whar he broke his merlasses jug. His fis' stuck, en he can't pull loose. De tar hilt 'im.

But Tar-Baby, she stay still, en Brer Fox, he lay low.


5 posted on 04/01/2026 1:51:36 PM PDT by Steely Tom ([Voter Fraud] == [Civil War])
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To: jmaroneps37

Does the US military have a proven defense against anti personnel drones and anti material drones?


6 posted on 04/01/2026 1:51:45 PM PDT by Deaf Smith (When a Texan takes his chances, chances will be taken that's for sure.)
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To: Steely Tom

Better being stupid than a fool


7 posted on 04/01/2026 1:52:42 PM PDT by Fledermaus ("It turns out all we really needed was a new President!")
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To: Steely Tom

I think PDJT did campaign with that basic message.

But is war with Iran stupid? If so, from what perspective do we allow a rogue terrorist nation to go on killing people of all sorts, including their own neighbors? We are talking about a regime that came to within an inch of obtaining nukes and already had delivery means to target their worst enemy, the USA?

Should we have played the obama and Biden game and simply appease them? Should Trump have just bowed, literally, to their leaders and give them plane loads of cash?

And a forever war, who is to say this would be a forever war? We do not know that until we engage them further OR set a limit to what has already been done and state that was the goal and get the hell out. My understanding the goal was to restrict their military abilities to terrorize and wage war AND to eliminate the nuke threat. This is all close to being accomplished right now.


8 posted on 04/01/2026 1:54:12 PM PDT by redfreedom (The Forth Estate is the Fifth Column.)
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To: jmaroneps37

You can add in Nancy Mace as well.


9 posted on 04/01/2026 2:02:01 PM PDT by Robert DeLong
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Trump is taking military action that is so important and vital to our nation interests that he had to campaign on the opposite.


10 posted on 04/01/2026 2:09:45 PM PDT by proust (All posts made under this handle are, for the intents and purposes of the author, considered satire.)
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To: jmaroneps37
I respectfully disagree with one thing (and I do mean respectfully disagree to a fellow FReeper), but do agree with other things.

That gives them an endless supply of warfighters willing to strap bombs on themselves and commit suicide, if need be, to kill us. Iran has lowered recruitment age to 12. Evidently Iran is running out of men.

As far as what we probably agree on:

One thing not stated, but perhaps meant, is that I don't like leaders in the U.S. telegraphing to Iran that we're going to do our best to hamstring Trump and the military. Shouting "no boots on the ground" loudly basically tells Iran that they may have a Vietnam level opposition here in the U.S. supporting Iran. I'd rather it be spoken to Trump/Hegseth privately.

I don't see this being a forever Iraq war or Vietnam war. And Trump has shown us that he can do these things without "starting world war three with Russia".

And IMHO Trump is finally fighting back against an Iran that has been fighting us since most Americans first heard the word "mullahs" in 1979. Prior leaders kicked many cans down the road regarding Iran, and finally cleaning up the big pile can be messy.

Last but not least, I don't wanna hear one Dim who didn't fuss at Obama for bombing Libya for SEVEN MONTHS!, with no declaration of war from Congress, fuss at Trump for bombing Iran for over a month. Nor do I wanna hear from the left's don't-drill-or-mine-our-own-energy cult fuss about Europe not utilizing their coal, oil, and natural gas reserves (outside of Russia), then later fuss about being too dependent on Strait of Hormuz oil. Especially after we just exposed Iran for being able to launch missiles that can hit Iran.

11 posted on 04/01/2026 2:09:52 PM PDT by Tell It Right (1 Thessalonians 5:21 -- Put everything to the test, hold fast to that which is true.)
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To: proust

‘ Trump is taking military action that is so important and vital to our nation interests that he had to campaign on the opposite.’

Holy….

That’s some twisted bs.


12 posted on 04/01/2026 2:12:05 PM PDT by Fuzz
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To: redfreedom
And a forever war, who is to say this would be a forever war? We do not know that until we engage them further OR set a limit to what has already been done and state that was the goal and get the hell out. My understanding the goal was to restrict their military abilities to terrorize and wage war AND to eliminate the nuke threat. This is all close to being accomplished right now.

From Google AI:

U.S. military advisors in the early Vietnam War (1950s–early 1960s) aimed to train the South Vietnamese army (ARVN) against communist insurgents, expanding from a small group under MAAG (1955) to 16,000 personnel by 1963. Initially forbidden from combat, they soon faced danger, with roles evolving to include combat support and advisory duties at the battalion level.

Initial Advisory Efforts (1950s): Following the French departure, the U.S. established the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) in November 1955 to train South Vietnamese forces. By 1958, approximately 888 U.S. and French advisors were working in Vietnam.

Expansion Under Kennedy (1961–1963): President Kennedy increased advisors, with personnel numbers jumping from around 900 in 1960 to over 11,000 by the end of 1962. By 1963, 16,000 advisors were in the country.

Role and Challenges: Advisors often struggled with cultural gaps, political corruption within the South Vietnamese government, and the challenges of training an army that was often overly reliant on them. They were embedded at divisional, regiment, and sometimes battalion levels to support ARVN operations.

Establishment of MACV: Due to the surge in advisors, the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) was established in February 1962, eventually replacing MAAG in 1964.

Early Casualties: Although initially in a non-combat role, casualties occurred early. By the end of 1962, 53 U.S. military personnel had been killed.

Key Early Advisory Structure:

MAAG-Vietnam (1955–1964): Initially managed the training and equipment support to South Vietnam.

MACV (1962–1973): Created to manage the rapid increase in personnel and combat advising under Special Forces and combat units.

Anyway. Maybe it'll work out this time. I hope so.

Just remember: in Vietnam, we were really fighting against the USSR and China.

They're already involved here, and do you really think their involvement won't escalate?
Maybe not, ha ha.

13 posted on 04/01/2026 2:23:27 PM PDT by Steely Tom ([Voter Fraud] == [Civil War])
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To: jmaroneps37

“There is no certainty that the “No Boots on The Ground” chorus demand will bring us victory and we don’t get a do over if they are wrong.”

________________

The money quote. Couldn’t be more correct. These demonics must be annihilated to be stopped.

Free Iran. Correct our (CIA’s) complete catastrophe in the Middle East now or regret not doing so forever.


14 posted on 04/01/2026 2:26:09 PM PDT by jacknhoo (Luke 12:51; Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.)
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To: jacknhoo
Free Iran. Correct our (CIA’s) complete catastrophe in the Middle East now or regret not doing so forever.

We can't "free Iran." Just like we couldn't "free Vietnam." Only the Iranians can do that, and so far I don't see any indication that they're doing much. To me, it looks like their deep state is letting the IRGC wipe out the freedom-loving idealistic youngsters while they solidify their power.

You don't know how much I hope to be wrong, but as Carly Simon said, "Babe, all I know is what I see."

15 posted on 04/01/2026 2:29:43 PM PDT by Steely Tom ([Voter Fraud] == [Civil War])
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To: proust
Trump is taking military action that is so important and vital to our nation interests that he had to campaign on the opposite.

Well, he certainly found enough servile voters to eat it up.

16 posted on 04/01/2026 2:32:39 PM PDT by Captain Walker ("Justice exalteth a nation: but sin maketh nations miserable." – Proverbs 14:34)
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To: jmaroneps37

I don’t support boots on the ground. We don’t need another generation of parentless kids. We are not adequately reproducing as it is.

We can’t win this for a very long time by putting boots on the ground in a place with 98 million people.

I do not feel bad about my opinion either.


17 posted on 04/01/2026 2:34:10 PM PDT by dforest
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To: jmaroneps37

“Some are still fighting World War II and the Korean War again “

No! Some are still fighting Iraq & Afghanistan.


18 posted on 04/01/2026 2:35:01 PM PDT by spintreebob
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To: Fledermaus
"He’s ending a 47 year war SFB"

47 years sounds like a forever war.

19 posted on 04/01/2026 2:47:09 PM PDT by yesthatjallen
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To: Tell It Right
One thing not stated, but perhaps meant, is that I don't like leaders in the U.S. telegraphing to Iran that we're going to do our best to hamstring Trump and the military. Shouting "no boots on the ground" loudly basically tells Iran that they may have a Vietnam level opposition here in the U.S. supporting Iran. I'd rather it be spoken to Trump/Hegseth privately.

The Iranian leadership knows they only have to hold out 'till the elections in November. Then the Democrats will take a meat axe to PDJT, and they (with Russian and Chinese help) can turn the quagmire machine up to 11.

20 posted on 04/01/2026 2:48:24 PM PDT by Steely Tom ([Voter Fraud] == [Civil War])
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