What’s wrong with cutting and running?

Nieman Foundation ^ | August 03, 2005 | William E. Odom

[Valin]

Pretty much clueless aren't ya.

[nathanbedford]

For those who really worry about destabilizing the region, the sensible policy is not to stay the course in Iraq. It is rapid withdrawal, re-establishing strong relations with our allies in Europe, showing confidence in the UN Security Council, and trying to knit together a large coalition including the major states of Europe, Japan, South Korea, China, and India to back a strategy for stabilizing the area from the eastern Mediterranean to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Until the United States withdraws from Iraq and admits its strategic error, no such coalition can be formed.

And then we can all clasp hands and circle the campfire to sing Kumbaya.

One hardly knows what to say to someone who has attained such high military rank and yet, evidently quite seriously, advocates "showing confidence in the UN Security Council" as a serious foreign policy option. General Odom is well aware of the duplicity of the French in tricking Colin Powell and breaking their promise not to oppose us in the Security Council. The very idea of submitting American survival in a global war against islamist fanatics who would destroy our democracy with atomic weapons as soon as they acquire the means to do so, to a French veto in the Security Council, is to counsel national suicide. Furthermore, Odom is not unaware that the Security Council has utterly failed in its responsibility to prevent the largest scandal in the history of the world in the oil for food deal. No objective observer can fail to judge that the UN Security Council is a cockpit of financial, moral and political corruption. The idea of that America should rest its survival in the global war against terrorism and upon this institution makes one question whether leftists like General Odom entertain a national death wish.

It is always been a strategic goal of the left to do away with national borders and impose an international rule upon us. The single greatest obstacle to this Orwellian utopia is the existence of the United States of America. Does General Odom really want the United States of America to prevail?

In keeping with this fuzzy but warm thinking about internationalizing American foreign policy, one might say in gelding the "hyperpower," Odom wants us to, "knit together a large coalition including the major states of Europe..." The general has got it backwards, the leftists of Europe, especially those who are currently running France and Germany, did not fail to join with us in the invasion of Iraq because they disagreed with that policy, but because they disapproved of us. They do not want us to prevail in the world anymore than they want us to keep the Internet free.

One infers from the general's remarks that if the United States withdraws from Iraq and admits admits its error, such a coalition could be confected to run American foreign policy.

There is a whole body of a leftist thought both here and abroad which does not want America to succeed in any endeavor because it wants to break down the viability of the nationstate as the fundamental building block of international society. I fear General Odom has shown himself to be in this camp. These people do not advance coalition building because they honestly believe it will win the war, they exploit the war as a means of advancing a one world ruling coalition.

[Pompah]

Yo Owen_Osh Dude. Where did you Go Man. You need to reply to some of your fellow Freepers. Cat got your tongue. ???

[beyond the sea]

What's wrong with winning?

Murtha: "Victory is not an exit strategy."

[tarepeter]

Nice article General. Having been a part of the Peanut Carter debacle---just wondering why you permitted the torture of Americans for 444 days? Are you a proponent of torture, or only a proponent when Americans are the victims of torture at the hands of Islamonazis?

You watched and cowered as Americans were degraded and tortured and we should value your views why?

[GiovannaNicoletta]

Ask the president: Why should we expect a different outcome in Iraq than in Vietnam?

No one in Vietnam participated in, paid for, provided sanctuary for, or otherwise supported anyone who seized control of airplanes and used them to slaughter over 3000 American citizens, on American soil.

That's the difference.

[Non-Sequitur]

That explains that.

Then there's this. "He was Director of the National Security Agency from 1985 to 1988. From 1981 to 1985, he served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, the Army's senior intelligence officer." Eight years under the Reagan administration, picking up one or two stars along the way. Must have done something right.

[Miss Marple]

When was the bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon? And who counseled Reagan to leave Lebanon?

[Non-Sequitur]

When was the bombing of the Marine barracks in Lebanon? And who counseled Reagan to leave Lebanon?

1983, when he wasn't in the White House. Reagan cut and ran based on recomendations from someone else.

[Coldwater Creek]

I would like to make it very clear, that if we elect a Democrat Congress or a Democrat President the terrorist are coming after us on the double.

[Tribune7]

Fair enough.

[Popman]

Why in the hell would we cut and run when we are winning the war?

Because if we do, the democrats will smell blood in the water and vietiamize (sp) this whole war to regain power and reshape our world into their weak image.

Democrats acquiring political power again trumps all other national concerns including the death of our liberty and freedoms

President Lincoln would have jailed them by now

[upcountryhorseman]

After we "cut & run" in Viet Nam, millions of people were
thrown in prison and killed. (The people on our side)

[Ann Archy]

Odom worked under Carter's Breszinski, another Surrenderer.

[Ann Archy]

Bill Clinton is the King of "puller-outers" and not finishing the job....witness Nancy Herndon's sink and Monica's blue dress!

[jwalsh07]

Has the big white elephant escaped this military genius?

We have had no attacks in the states since 9/11. Does this idiot think that's a freaking coinkydink? Or does he think that Al Qaeda really, at 'root", loves us?

Now don't take this wrong because my nephew is an officer in the Marine Corps but my problem in the Army was always with idiot officers.

[samm1148]

This is so bad on many levels but I guess what disturbs me the most as someone who spent 20 years in the military is: What about the 2000 and some who've died? I knew I might end up dead in a nasty way and I accepted that with the belief that our leaders would prosecute whatever war or action I had passed away in to its end.

But by pulling out we would completely marginalize the sacrifice of those who are dead or laying maimed in some hospital. There is a great message for the all-volunteer military: We the people of the United States will throw away your lives on whatever sense of fashion we have today.

You can disagree with the war (I myself spent 3 years in the Middle East before these conflicts and unlike those in our CIA or state department I actually know things about the culture. I would've much preferred to see us co opt Saudi Arabia where there is a western movement among the people) But that is water under the bridge. We are in Iraq now and for better or worse that is where we have to make a stand.

If we leave, we dishonor those who've died. And that should be reason enough to stay.

[gusopol3]

probably a buddy of scowcroft who is a buddy of sandy burglar

[LtKerst]

Insurgents have killed far more Iraqis than Americans. That’s civil war.

It didnt take me 1/2 second to find an error in your list.

Thats not civil war, the Shias are not attacking back, they are using restraint, and voting.

it is still terrorism. strike one. for you.

[LtKerst]

But that will happen no matter how long we stay. Any government capable of holding power in Iraq will be anti-American, because the Iraqi people are increasingly becoming anti-American


strike 2. where do you get your news? the people of Iraq overwhelmingly support Us and are Glad we are there.

stop reading Liberal reports. ill be back in a minute with strike 3.