I'm, personally, tired of hearing all this garbage about how we need to give these animals a chance to have their own country, their own way of life. Not when it kills Americans.
First off when Black SOF Ops take place the World doesn't hear about them -
Additionally to suggest "we haven't put teeth" behind our words is utterly ridiculous. We have warriors risking their lives 24/7 in over a dozen terrorists hot spots across the globe! - I think these warriors would take issue with your comments.
Furthermore as our CIC said days after Sept 11th, 2001....this war will be fought at the times and places of our choosing! (not our enemies...and certainly not by armchair generals).
Now I could fully understand the sentiment (at times) for wanting more action.....but I do not agree at all with the notion of trying to tear down what has been accomplished with the suggestion that we "haven't' put teeth" behind our words and this has all been hot air.
When the reality is brave soldiers are dying for those words.
Lastly, the reality is the values of freedom and self-worth are our biggest allies in this GWOT.....and so it isn't so much "garbage" we are fighting for in trying to help establish both of these values throughout the ME.
My comments were not directed toward our military. Members of my own family currently serve, as well as neighbors. I know first-hand the sacrifices they are making.
We could easily continue to spread our troops even thinner over terrorists hot spots. That is not my point.
To me, putting teeth behind our words includes also cutting off any and all monetary aid to any nations involved in supporting terrorism. It means enforcing our immigration laws and toughening them, including giving our border states whatever assets are required to shut down crossovers.
I disagree entirely with the notion that our values mean very much in the areas we are involved in. There's no doubt that many of their people are happy to be free of their oppressors but their lifestyles, governments and such are unlikely to change to a fully democratic mode in our lifetimes, if ever.
Meanwhile, our borders are wide open. We continue to pander to Mexico's Vincente Fox and pursue a catch and release policy for border intrusions (which include more OTMs .. Other Than Mexicans.. each week).
I'm a strong Constitutionalist and firmly believe in our values. I do not, however, "drink the cool aid," and believe that we are doing enough to prove our resolve to do whatever is necessary to stop the threat of terrorism.
I wish we were reminder more often of his words on that day.
He was truly inspiring.