No "Do Overs" Allowed

Townhall ^ | 7/7/07 | Michael McBride

[sgtbono2002]

Makes sense to me.

[DB]

Well done Major!

[SevenMinusOne]

Exactly right...

[Bernard]

There is no do-over. And unless and until a candidate for 2008 starts talking about how we are in Iraq unless and until our national interest feels comfortable about the government in Iran and other neighbors, it's all talking points designed to get elected, not to present a reasonable plan for where we go from here.

If some candidate is already doing that, I missed it, and in that case I apologize for this post.

[metesky]

There are very few "men", let alone serious men, in the United States Senate.

I believe that virtually all of them think being in the Senate is enough to qualify them as serious.

Repeal the 17th Amendment.

[ReleaseTheHounds]

I hope this makes it’s way into Senator Domenici’s weekend reading.

[Professional Engineer]

Well said.

[Dilbert56]

Even more ominous is the message it sends our enemies and our allies: "We're in it until the polls change."

Would you as the U.K, Australia, Japan or any of our allies commit you blood and treasure to an American-led war knowing we would pull the plug as soon as the polls change? Would you as Al Qaida, the Taliban, Syria, North Korea, Hamas, Hizbollah or any of our enemies ever give up? All you have to do is hang on until the American media comes to your rescue.

[ishabibble]

Your scenario is EXACTLY what happened in Vietnam. Halfway through this article, the real traitor is revealed.

http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Camp/7624/Generals/giap.htm

[Dick Bachert]

With all due respect to the ladies, could THIS be what’s going on in America today? And whatever do you think could be the cause??

Isaiah 3:12
As for My people, children are their oppressors,
And women rule over them.
O My people! Those who lead you cause you to err,
And destroy the way of your paths.”

(Standing by for MASSIVE flames from the dark side – and probably more than a few from the light side as well for having the temerity to even bring this up.)

[Malsua]

My Marine Option Instructor (MOI) at Tulane never made his Marines carry grenades in Vietnam

As an aside...my Step father, a Marine who spent all his time at Khe Sahn and posts further in, would always shake his head and complain watching Vietnam era war movies. The reason...they always had grenades hanging loose on a belt or off the chest. The reason no rational person would do that is because a twig or whatnot could release the pin. You carry grenades in a pouch that hold them closed, even if you remove the pin.

[Gritty]

Very well said as a postscript to a very good article.

The Senate is systemically dysfunctional. It no longer represents either the will of the American people or the states from whom the members are elected. Senators represent only themselves and their own precious careers. They function in their own make-believe, insulated cocoons. One only need look at the third tier hacks which dominate there for decades to see the evidence.

[Ex-Pralite Monk]

What is your opinion of the story on the Voice of America where the 2nd in command of American forces in Iraq stated the surge is working so well, we MIGHT be able to start the withdrawal next spring?

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-06-22-voa52.cfm

My opinion of this “send the troops home” meme of the Democrats is that it’s a sham. The dems knew we would be withdrawing troops in the next year or so, and they just kept repeating the meme knowing some day soon a general would say “We’re done. Bring them home.” And then the democrats could cheer “See? They listened to us.” Most politicians try to find where the people are going in order to get in front of them to look as if they’re being followed, but the Democrats are the worst.

[Valin]

My opinion? Counter-insurgencies take about 10 years to win.

[brityank]

A well written discourse; thank you.

Also read the link at #10; I am glad I served while we were ‘winning’.

[xzins]

No one likes to see their best efforts undone, and nothing would make the sacrifices of our men and women worth less than abandoning the Iraqi people before their future is secure and they have a reasonable chance of securing their fledgling democracy.

This is a point I've been making as a chaplain since entering active duty many years ago. The only thing that removes some of the pain of the loss or injury of a loved one is knowing that what they were doing was necessary and just.

To abandon Iraq at this point would say that all that death and injury by our folks was pointless....unnecessary.

To find a different strategy to accomplish a free and independent Iraq would be acceptable.

Personally, I would be willing to accept supporting 3 each free and independent entities: Kurdistan, Shiastan, and Sunnistan. Turkey wouldn't be thrilled with me, but it would be acceptable to me.

[freema]

brityank, I’m grateful you served! Thank you for the ping.

[Girlene]

Thanks for the ping, brityank.

...Their votes unleashed the full combat power of the greatest military to yet to walk the face of the earth. ...

...With three thousand dead on the field the only way to honor them and their sacrifices is to complete the mission, and that does not include the re-election of Smith and Domenici.

Makes sense to me.

[jazusamo]

Thanks for the ping, brityank, excellent article.

To me there is nothing more disgusting than a politician who makes decisions on life and death matters by pandering for votes, no matter what party they represent.