Posted on 01/17/2007 7:00:03 PM PST by NormsRevenge
It would be helpful, I believe, if reflexive Bush bashers took a time out, caught their collective breath and considered the consequences of some of their actions and positions. Sure, I know that they are exercising their constitutional right as Americans to criticize their president and any other elected official with whom they disagree whether their criticism is based upon fact and logic, blind emotion or, as is commonly the case today, just visceral hatred of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and all who support them.
It’s time for us as a nation to decide whether or not we are really a nation at war or just a nation at war with itself. By war, I mean the real kind, fought by real soldiers who are dedicated to achieving a mission, not the make-believe, civilian kind such as the war on drugs or the war on poverty.
If we really are at war, then we should endeavor to rally behind the troops who are fighting it and the wartime president who is their commander-in-chief. That’s the American way, isn’t it? It doesn’t mean you have to agree with the war or love the president. Feel free to vote against his party whenever you get the chance but meanwhile, at the very least, refrain from saying or doing things that weaken the nation’s image, harm morale of the troops or provide comfort and encouragement to the enemy.
Egregious examples of the latter include demonstrations demanding return of the troops now and threats by Congressional Democrats to deny funding for military operations deemed necessary by the wartime commander-in-chief. Lesser examples include the unremitting condemnation of the president’s plan for a last ditch military effort to salvage something out of the Iraq fiasco without offering an alternative plan which the president has said time and again he would consider. By alternate plan, though, I mean something more substantive than recommending that we consult with our enemies in the region, Iran and Syria, both of whom are sponsors of terrorism which we are supposed to be at war against. Why on earth would we do that, knowing how they feel about us?
The anti-war protests are starting up again and nothing good for America will come from them. Protestors may truly feel that they are acting in America’s best interests but here’s a reality check. Ask any active duty soldier or marine who has seen combat in Iraq or Afghanistan how the anti-war demonstrations back home affect troops in combat. They are at best disturbing and unsettling to the troops and at worse, downright harmful to morale. The troops are, for the most part, too dedicated and disciplined to complain or to let it affect their performance but everyone I’ve asked has told me that it is important to know that the folks back home support them. Supporting them, however, entails more than just saying the words. It includes supporting the mission that they are putting their lives on the line for.
I’m certainly not going to bet the farm on the prospects for the president’s latest plan to succeed. Our troops will, of course, do everything in their power to achieve some manner of success in this so far mismanaged war. They deserve solid support from the home front and restraint from the Bush bashers while their lives are on the line. In the final analysis, though, success depends on the Iraqis themselves and their performance to date gives little cause for optimism. I personally have little confidence in their ability to put aside religious and tribal hatreds long enough to salvage their country.
Given the low regard that large numbers of Iraqis seem to have for Americans, it has become a matter some indifference to me and probably to most Americans whether Iraqis live happier ever after or whether they go on killing one another after we leave. I am far more concerned with the safety of our troops and with American interests in the area. A precipitous withdrawal, such as advocated by some, including Sen. John Edwards, Sen. Edward Kennedy and Rep. John Murtha, would be inimical to both concerns and any attempt to deny funding for wartime military operations would be an outrageous infringement of a wartime president’s authority.
It’s time for us as a nation to decide whether or not we are really a nation at war or just a nation at war with itself.
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I'd opt for the latter, personally. There is no adversary we could not defeat if we have the resolve and unity to do so.
Well, here's a guy who completely gets it. Maybe he should hold seminars at FR?
Convicted felons belong behind bars.
I agree, Peach. We as a nation have never been in more danger, yet there are too many who refuse to understand this truth.
Good article. The part that gets me right in the heart is when he writes about how the antiwar folk affect our troops' morale, and I believe it, not to say that they don't continue to do their job, but that disgusts me.
God bless the men and women of the United States military!!!!
Sign him up.
Between watching the politicians preen for the camera and say stupid things...and the fighting here...I am really tired.
I am too afraid to give up...but I am getting weary.
This is NOT a thread about the border or immigration.
Stay on topic.
That's their problem -- they only stay on topic -- the SAME topic on EVERY thread!!
The Bush bashers have been behaving badly for six years. No surprise there. The surprise is that they appear to be winning.
Clearly the dems will be taking this administration to court on any number of issues and this was pre-emptive and necessary.
Too bad the Donner Party types didn't get the message before the election.
Most everybody around here is sick of it.
I'm thinking of starting a thread polling people about how tired they are of hearing it on EVERY SINGLE THREAD.
Apparently there are a whole lot of people in this nation who have zero loyalty. I am not one of them.
I continue to support this president and believe that he is doing the best he can for this nation. I am proud I worked to elect him, and I will not abandon him, even if I am the last person in this country to support him.
And you all know what I'm talking about!
I had/have the same visceral hatred of BJ Clinton but that was justified. ;-)
No loyalty. They are hollow men without honor.
It seems over the past year virtually any thread can be converted into an illegal immigration thread. One minute you could have a thread about making pancakes, and two or three posts into the thread it will have instantly evolved into a thread on ranting about the illegal immigration problem.
I'm as pissed about illegal immigration as anyone, but we shouldn't screw up FR with needless trolling and hijacking threads as a means of voicing concerns
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