We're at War, You Say?

The American Enterprise Online ^ | May 17, 2006 | Joseph Knippenberg

[freema]

"It's weird, but at home, I've come to feel a little like I'm on the outside looking in (and it was never that way before) and here, I feel like I'm where I belong."

Well, I hope you're snug in bed now and that someone kissed you and hugged you and tucked you goodnight. No one is every too old for that (One of the finer pleasures of life IMHO : )

I'm very thankful for this thread today, because while you and I know we're not alone when we are where we feel very 'out of place', it's a bit of a relief now and then to hear someone else say so. I hope you're sleeping tight, not letting the bedbugs, muzzies, and dems bite. Mwuah!

[brazzaville]

Good morning.
"The WOT is supposed to be as valid as WWII but it has not been sold to the country that way."

I believe our war fighters already understand what the WOT is all about, as do most civilians who support it.

Most politicians and almost all liberals can't see beyond their own reelection and/or their agenda so it's not possible to make them understand that it's all about survival.

Michael Frazier

[rlmorel]

I had an incident last year, where I went to a NE Patriots game with a bunch of guys, did the whole five hour tailgate before the game thing and so on. There was a lot of people there, maybe 20 or so in the group, and I noticed one young guy who I had never seen before, just kind of standing there taking it all in, not saying much to anyone.

One of the guys who I knew as a regular mentioned in conversation that the guy was his nephew has just come back from Iraq and was home on Leave.

My buddy and I, who had gone into the USN together back in the seventies, made a point of going over and talking with him. I didn't ask him specifically about his experiences, but I figured if he wanted to, it would come out in conversation. I spoke with him about what his rating was, what his job involved, was he contributing to the education fund, was he going to stay in or get out, and if he was going to get out what was he going to do...we spoke for a long time.

The next day, I felt a little embarrassed. I thought, hell, this young guy comes home on leave, he came home to get away from the military for a while, and it was all we talked about. I remembered what it was like to be a young guy home on leave when I was in, but I really couldn't remember if it was a subject I talked about, avoided, or even really cared.

All I know is I wanted him to understand that someone knew what he was doing, was interested in it , and cared about it. We made sure when the drinks were out, that appropriate toasts were made to the young man.

[rlmorel]

I was making a point online the othere day, and for historical perspective, I chose Iwo Jima.

We lost 6800 young men in 36 days. It just STAGGERS me to think of it, given how small Iwo Jima is.

Any death in war is terrible, but given the size of Iraq and Afghanistan, in historical terms, have done pretty well.

But I still wished we hadn't been attacked, and I wish we had those 3000+ on 9/11 and 2500+ killed in our military since then, back amongst the ranks of the living.

[rlmorel]

BTW...Finbar looks like a great cat...I am a severe softy for yellow cats...like my buddy Buster who guards my car so no libs deface it...

I really needed him when I had THIS on my car during the election season up here...

[rlmorel]

Thanks for your service. If it is any consolation, the way you feel is not at all unique.

One of the most touching things I ever heard was from a Vietnam Vet who told me:

"I hated Vietnam. I hated it with all my might from the depths of my guts. But sometimes, I wish I could go back...just to remember what it felt like to want to come home so badly."

I admit, it just floored me to hear him put it that way, because in a small way, it made me understand what he meant.

[Reily]

To all

This first two mistakes were:
Not demanding a formal declaration of war against terrorists. (Name some Al-Qiada, Taliban, and 'others to be named later') and terrorist supporting states also naming them later. I would have puposely left 'the terror organizations & terror states' vague with the appropriate legal & diplomatic smoke & mirrors. I would have dared the democrats & the treason-left to oppose it. On 9/12/01 then wouldn't have dared ! Those that did would be branded traitor from then on ! Also I would have never ever used words like 'bring them to justice' those words make people think is nothing but a episode of 'Law & Order'.

[George W. Bush]

Really? Republican turnout was high in Ohio, where a scandal should have supressed it; as high as in 2004 in California, where a scandal should have suppressed it; as Michael Barone pointed out, both cases should have shown depressed republican turnout and increased democrat turnout. Didn't happen.

Michael Barone doesn't account for many factors. His info tells far more about the results and inside track of the last two elections than predicting the next election.

Let's instead just look at the primaries this year:

• Ohio primaries - Ohio voters, tired of the scandals, were looking for new faces. Given the costs of running such campaigns, challengers find it difficult to raise enough money. Enter Club For Growth. They funded the two conservatives and helped propel them to an unexpected victory. Their secret: returning to the Reagan/Gingrich agenda of lower taxes, lower spending, deregulation and school choice.
• In primaries that became a referendum on establishing open-city type workers' hiring areas, those of both parties who voted for those were all defeated.
• In Nebraska, the defining issue of the primary for governor was the difference between the two GOP candidates on in-state tuition for illegals. Osborne, the most popular person in the state, was handily defeated by Heineman, a so-so governor who opposed the in-state tuition. Also, a Club For Growth candidate, Adrian Smith, took the primary for congressman in the western Third District. He was also anti-illegals and matches up pretty well with Tancredo.
• In Utah, Chris Cannon went soft on the issue of in-state tuititon as well. His party's convention sent an unknown small businessman to challenge him and he will now face a primary, just over this issue. Utah is very conservative (all-Red in 2000 and 2004) and Cannon has a lifetime ACU rating of 97%.

Across the country in every primary held, the results are uniform: Reagan/Gingrich style conservatives and those who reject the amnesty deal for illegals have prevailed. Those who are soft on immigration or represent the Rockefeller Republicans have lost.

[RightWhale]

Iwo Jima was a heck of a slog. The airfield made it worthwhile. When the real war starts up and casualties are in the millions rather than the thousands, then there are going to be a lot of confused and pampered citizens with drool running down their chins not knowing what to do.

[rlmorel]

Well...hell...I will probably be one of those drool laden citizens...but...with my Garand and a few ammo boxes...maybe I will find a way not to be.

I just hope it doesn't come to that.

[RightWhale]

When the balloon goes up I will report to the Army post here, probably level-headed so the drool comes out both sides of the jaw equally. Maybe they can find something for a codger to do while the young whippersnappers run off somewhere to destroy the enemy. If not, and probably not, I will go home and sit in the yard with my 12 gauge in my lap and my .45 on my belt and wait for the enemy to come up the road. I'll nail them while they are doubled over in laughter.

[NicknamedBob]

You sound as though you are channeling Heinlein there.

I like it.

[RightWhale]

Everybody seems afraid to write like Heinlein anymore. When everybody is thrown on his own resources there will be a great sorting out, and that time will come no matter how long we delay it. If you don't already have a horse, keep your knees loose.

[A CA Guy]

I think the President has said we are in a war against terror and that includes all that host, train and finance them.

[A CA Guy]

With the American people that might not be sexy enough to pay attention to.

One more 9-11 and they will be all of a sudden outraged and all upset it wasn't stopped though.

People can be hypocrites.

[Reily]

The manner in which he said it without the 'formal declaration of war' makes it look like 'political rhetoric' !

A 'declaration of war' defines the legal conditions both domestically & internationally as well as concentrates the mind for the tasks ahead.

[A CA Guy]

Well he has one obstacle in this war he waged that none other had in any modern war before him.
These terrorist people are of no nation, yet in many nations.
Have no one base of operations and are in effect a guerrilla movement.
Circumstances have necessitated his style and approach to this war IMO.

I don't know that another President could have done it better, and hind sight is always helpful if we had it before things happen, so that doesn't help now IMO.

[Reily]

Don't get me wrong I support Bush and support the war against terror. Believe me I really understand how different it is, "terrorism = asymmetric warfare" is not similar to what we normally understand war to be. But it still war, its still an effort by a foreign entity to impose its will on us by direct force or through intimidation. I had a friend who I guess like you felt that a formal declaration of war was unnecessary, that the congressional resolution was all that was necessary. (His quote was "declaration of was is so 18th century!") I say the "Gulf of Tonkin resolution" and a myriad of other "resolutions" render those "resolutions" to merely political statements and not statements that any enemy or potential enemy should take seriously. Since they are "political statements", then they can be changed by political action. So our 'enemies' then engage in "political warfare" on our own soil by backing organizations like MOVEOB.org etc.

[angcat]

He is beautiful.

[roaddog727]

Your job's way cooler than mine.