Posted on 03/05/2002 1:30:33 PM PST by Capitalist Eric
Edited on 04/23/2004 12:04:15 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Yes, we have to accept that there might be casualties, but it isn't necessary to EXPECT them, nor is it a sign of anything like "the military doing its job."
Rather, it's a sign of the ENEMY doing its job.
Course, were you a vet, you'd already understand the implacable truth of the authors' observations.
FReegards,
It's worth mentioning that the liason to the NA was a mere Special Forces captain, who's probably not more than 30, if that.
We have some very good men at work over there.
at the risk of sounding like a certain ex-president, i think it depends on what the definition of "expect" is. I would want my fire department, EMS guys, and police force to "expect" fires, car crashes, robberies, etc..
I wouldn't want these things, but I would expect them as part of living in a (reasonably) free society.
I want our military to prosecute this and other conflicts aggressively; I think if we do so we will suffer casualties.
anyway, maybe we're picking at nits- I think the overall thrust of the article, that the press is getting their knickers in a twist, is a good one.
FReegards,
OTOH, a major reason that OBL attacked in the first place was the widespread belief that the U.S. was afraid to take casualties. He figured it would be more of the Clintonian same, and that we'd pull out after a few guys got killed.
The fact that we've taken casualties, and kept on blasting away (NB the Pentagon's report that half of those wounded are back in the fray) sends a very loud message to would-be bad guys.
That's Peters's major point.
Ahah!!!!! Busted, you ignorant ass. I knew you didn't know your butt from a hole in the dirt, judging by your comments on this article. It's was obvious that you not only have never served in the military (and therefore have others to thank for the freedom to flap your lips and embarass yourself), but that you also didn't bother to read the article.
Your arrogance is only superceded by your ignorance.
This was posted several times in FR today. The storm kills double the people than in the war in Afghanistan with enemies shooting guns and other ordinance. Were is the media hand wringing on the deaths from snow? Must be that it doesn't fit the talking points memo on "Things to do to derail Bush."
Doesn't really matter if it's on the list. The media has forgotten that the public can think without the input of such biased blow-hards as Blather, Brokaw, et al. They're still reporting the information, but with regard to their interpretations of said data, they've been left behind.
Appropriate, dontcha' think??? 8^)
FReegards. Off to my night-classes.
The article is pointing out the flaws of the previous administration, the incredible ignorance of the media, and the implacable resolve of GWB to prosecute the 'evil doers' to the last cave in Afghanistan or the last bunker in Iraq.
David Christian was on FOX today (he is the military advisor to John Kerry, D-MA). He was quite critical of the Clinton administration and very complimentary of the Bush administration. But his major point was that soldiers - of any rank in any service - will double their efforts to ELIMINATE the enemy that killed these men.
Bob Bevilaqua was even more pointed. 'The Special Forces will get their heads on a platter - and won't care how they do it'. Both of THESE men have been there, done that.
They also said to expect casualties, but that military personnel now knew they had support at the WH and Pentagon and that gave them resolve to finish the job. Sounds 'logical' to me.
There is much in this article that alot of Military folks see eye to eye with and just understand, that someone totally unconnected with the military MAY not. Casualties in war are inevitable, {as some may not like it} and is (in a sense) expected. Anyone that is down to earth and honest with themselves with either a brother, sister, daughter, mother, father, husband, wife, etc etc, serving in the military will understand.
When we face the possibility of sending our brother, sister, daughter, mother, father, husband, wife to war, we understand these simple facts, Like them? No. Wish it wasn't a factor in dealing with the departure? Hell yes. Wish that no harm comes to anyone or our loved ones? Yes.
The media is the media, if we expect anything different from them sensationalizing a story for the sake of a headline, we would go nuts. But never really believing that casualties aren't something to expect as part as the military lifestyle during war is plain denial.
No family members wants ANY service members to die during ANY conflict or war. But to be honest, when it comes down to our prayers, we ask that no ones gets hurt of course! But realistically we pray for nothing to happen to our loved ones, knowing that (unfortunity) someone is going to get hurt and/or killed.
This article is good, it mirrors alot of views that the military community feel about this subject, and the "press".
To use a different analogy, take the "predicted automobile deaths." Yes, we know some people are going to die on the streets and highways, but we take all possible precautions from a public safety perspective to keep that number down.
And I learned in safety engineering training, that 99% of actions are the result of someone breaking a rule, whether intentionally or on purpose.
When you head into a battle zone, you are CONSCIOUSLY going somewhere where the risk of loss of life is high. And you try to assess that threat as much as possible. And when bad stuff happens, it is investigated thoroughly in order to figure out how it could have been prevented, with a possibility of avoiding mistakes, IF ANY, in the future.
But any way you look at it, casualties are NOT a "good sign." They are just a hazard we have to decide to live with.
These are things we cannot ever afford to be flippant about.
You know, we have a name for places where people like you run things.
We call them "Banana Republics."
REALLY p***-poor public relations, that.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.