I believe you are sincere, but in fact, you are pretty much explaining Murtha's reasoning. He also believes that the war is completely unwinnable, that the Arab culture cannot rise to the level of democracy and that tribal hatreds doom the enterprise from the start.
If you go past the funny sound bites and dig in to the arguments the man puts forward, you are peas in a pod.
Our confict with Islamic states bent on jihad is almost as old as the country. The Barbary States of Northern Africa declared war on the US in 1801. Our first war, and the source of the line in the Marine Hymn, "to the shores of Tripoli."
The rise of Arab terrorism has alot more to due with oil wealth than Jerry Ford. With the beginning of massive transfers of wealth to the Middle East in the late 50's and early 60's, folks began imagining that they could be a "power" in the world. In Islam, this translates to "active" jihad. But, in the face of powers like the US and Europe (especially France at the time) the schools of terrorism began in Northern Africa. The success of Israel also created a group of displaced Palestinians who were stateless and passionate about bringing some sort of conflict to the West.
Its not an apologia to note that this was fertile ground for terrorism, but its the Wahabbi schools and the education system funded by Saudi Arabia that is the engine of the current Islamofacists.
Tin pot dictators have always been taken to task by the US when they directly threatened us and not long after Ford came Reagan who happily dropped bombs on Muhamar Kadaffi's home to make the point that you don't support attacks against the US. So, the whole executive order thing falls in shambles.
Instead, terrorists have gotten support by many of the countries of the Middle east because of a whole raft of reasons. First, they are jihadis fighting the holy war of bringing us "infidels" into line. Second, planning and attacking America kept restive elements from planning and attacking the various regimes in the Middle East. Third, the way of distributing wealth in the middle east is through religious channels. This wealth was used to fund schools and community support activities that also helped stave off instability, but this put enormous funds in the hands of some of the most hard line elements of Islam. This money has supported the Madrassa system all across the Islamic world and the core message of this system is Wahabism.
Now, in its starkness and disregard for humanity, Wahabism is a return to the original values of Islam as lived shortly after its founding. This hearkens back to times we now call in Western Civilization the "Dark Ages"
Its amazing to see that you too are lost in this darkness. I hold out as an example that people have left behind Joshua and see that sort of behavior as unacceptable in our world.
Your whole approach to this problem is undergirded by racism and your own feelings of tribalism. The Iranian state has a long history of Democracy. The US for its own reasons decided to meddle in this by placing the Shah of Iran as king by overthrowing the democratically elected government in Iran. We did this for geo-political reasons growing out of the Cold War. Much bile has been split about this, but now it is history. But, if you talk to an Iranian you will get an ear full of determination to have democracy and freedom once again. This impulse is not foreign to folks in the Middle East. And Iraqi's braved threats of death to go to the polls over and over.
The president of Iran, in condemning the United States said that cause of hope of liberalism and democracy have been proven as failures, and that Islam will conquer the US because of our weakness in believing in these things.
From the standpoint of Old Testament kill them to the last woman and child sort of conflict resolution, the United States was founded on a different set of ideals. Instead, our founding fathers insisted on the dignity of each an every human. Saying that God gives us inalienable rights because we exist, that must be observed and protected if we are to be free.
I understand you don't buy into this squishy stuff. But it is why Americans are special.
I will just go back and say despite your black and vague reasoning that peacemaking is beyond our troops. The US and the US army has been fighting and winning against insurgents for almost all of our history and we are quite good at it. We really don't miss many tricks and its all quite firm. The US is almost alone in our ability to win these deals and its because our army is willing to be extremely harsh while at the same time protecting the innocent.
Come into the light and believe in our guys. They really are quite good at it. Our biggest problem is the whiners and nay sayers who spend their time undercutting and fomenting evil. We both agree that the Copperheads of the Democrat party are quite good at it.. but you are acting the useful idiot to this whole bunch. You are carrying their water while claiming to be just thinking about the needs of our troops. Arrrf.. Jack Murtha be thine name.
A Horses {Deleted be yours} Go back to college and Maybe Professor Good Liberal from the Cultural Marxist Elitist will teach you some more spew. I do not have to defend myself to the likes of one like you. Good day.