That is exactly the defeatism that I was talking about. You just gave aid and comfort to the enemy by saying the War on Terror is lost.
Personally speaking, the WOT is not lost until my head parts company with my shoulders.
Having said that, I'm less confident that they'll stay attached than I was a couple of years ago.
Just so I have this straight. Any dissent on foreign policy then is defeatist? Or is it just specific dissent you disagree with? The President has tried, ridiculously I might add, to do that. Should this be limited to just removing speech that you disagree with from the public arena or should we just toss the whole lot in jail?
As to the statement, one can't say the WOS(some seeing as we have 'allies' in this that have or currently support some forms of terrorism)T is lost or won. Considering that the WOST is dependent upon the party that happens to be in power (one party may see 'terror' in nation states different from the other party), the WOST could continue endlessly throughout time. We'll be at war for centuries!! I suppose that fact this could never end deserves a 'hoo-rah'?
Of course as a realist, a patriot, and a sometime historian, one also has to accept the principle that no nation will exist at the top perpetually, no matter what principles it was established upon
There are opinions and views that do matter other than standard Republican talking points. I'm not saying the Democrats have them or not. I don't know that they do. But closing your eyes and wishing for something to happen that very well may not happen isn't the wisest foreign policy either. I don't honestly believe that any form of representative government can last in certain areas of the Middle East. This is because it has been tried at different points and failed. Just because 'we' did it doesn't mean that it will last. Perhaps the best thing to do is to establish another somewhat secular strong man in Iraq, turn our heads again when he violates human rights, and leave it at that. Then again maybe it isn't. But Iraq is heading for rough times ahead. And I seriously don't know if sending 20,000 troops back there to return to previous levels is the best solution.
Now label me a defeatist without addressing the concerns and be done with it. About the only thing I've come to expect from 'conservatives' these days is 'well the President said' anyway...
You said -- "That is exactly the defeatism that I was talking about. You just gave aid and comfort to the enemy by saying the War on Terror is lost."
It is lost, because the WOT is a stupid war. It should be a war on Islam, the political idealogy that gives the support and nurturing to the terrorists who commit these actions. And it should be a war against all countries who substantially support this kind of "political idealogy" hiding in the form of a religion. Start with Iran -- right now, for example, then Syria next. Make Islam an illegal religion because of its false premises that lead to the rise of terrorists who say that Islam is destined to take over the world (and "we will prove it by terrorizing you all").
Scrap the constitution of Iraq, right now. Eliminate the function of Islam in the country's government. Eliminate all Imam's and clerics from any government function. Execute every last single cleric that opens their mouth about attacking or terrorism -- make it a summary execution -- on the spot -- immediately, and keep doing it until no one opens their mouth anymore.
Otherwise, the WOT is lost -- meaning, get ready for 100-years-war ("on terror") that will never be won, because you've got the *wrong war* going on.
Regards,
Star Traveler