Victor Davis Hanson: Response to Readership 6/11/04

VDH ^ | June 11, 2004 | Victor Davis Hanson

[quidnunc]

Q: I read the essay "The War for the West" at your website.  It would seem to me that this struggle is exactly the same as described in pages 1-3 of the Introduction to Strauss' Natural Right and History.  Do you see it that way?

A: Hanson: In some sense yes. Strauss was concerned about the ability of the West to persevere against those who did not share its success. But in several books I have worried about the combination of affluence, leisure, suburbanization, and the rise of therapeutic education that can create citizens that seek harmony and consensus at the expense of ideals and principles.

Q: Given the radicalism of the leaders in Iran and their desire to squash Israel, do you think that the United States give Israel carte blanche to go in and bomb the reactors before Iran goes 100% nuclear?

-snip-

[Tolik]

These comments are permanently saved here: http://victorhanson.com/Articles/Private%20Papers/Question%20Log/May_27.html

[Valin]

In light of the latest developments in Fallujah and the Shi'i South, do you still think that we're basically on the right track in our Iraqi War Plan?

Hanson: Long-term, yes. Short-term our stand-downs were terrible errors that cost us several weeks. Whether we like it or not, Fallujah will have to be cleaned out, whether now or later. And I’d prefer now when our troops are on the move, the enemy is shaken, and we have a few weeks before the transfer. I fear Fallujah was a terrible, terrible mistake. (These thoughts were recorded in early May)

The Greenside
http://www.thegreenside.com/story.asp?ContentID=9366
As far as Falluja goes, we have not been allowed to get back in there with any real numbers yet. Initially, it was confounding. However, a very interesting dynamic has developed. Since we have stayed out of Falluja and focused elsewhere, the mujahadeen have had their run of the town. As they have had no one to fight, they have turned their criminal instincts on the citizens. The clerics who once were whipping these idiots into a suicidal frenzy are now having to issue Fatwas (holy decrees) admonishing the muj for extortion, rape, murder and kidnapping. It is unfortunate for the "innocent people" of Falluja but the mujahadeen have betrayed themselves as the thugs that they are by brutalizing the civilians. There are, in fact, reports of rape, etc from inside the town.

While the muj are thugging away inside the town, we are about 1/2 mile away paying claims, entering into dialogue and contracting jobs. The citizens come outside the city for work and money and are treated like human beings. They go back inside and enter a lawless hell. In short, the muj have done more to show the people what hypocrites they are in a few short weeks than we could have hoped for in a year. The result is more and more targetable intelligence. If we are given the green light, we can really go to town on these guys (no pun intended). However, as much as we would like to do just that, the optimal solution is to empower the Iraqis to take care of it themselves. That is precisely what we are doing.

Equally astounding is evidence that these "holy warriors" are taking drugs to get high before attacks. It true, as we pushed into the town in April many Marines came across drug paraphernalia (mostly heroin). Recently, we have gotten evidence of them using another drug BZ that makes them high and very aggressive. Cowards and hypocrites. They don't have the nerve to fight without calming their fear with drugs. Between highs, they are robbing people and raping young girls. Some jihad.