WHAT DO WE DO NOW?

New York Post ^ | 4/12/03 | RALPH PETERS

[kattracks]

April 12, 2003 -- OUR military success has been spectacular. Key phases of the campaign, such as the fall of Baghdad, came even more swiftly than the most optimistic observers believed possible. But sudden victories bring sudden dilemmas.

After several days of liberating additional cities with hardly a shot fired and taking the surrender of an entire Iraqi army corps, our forces are in the position of the dog that caught the firetruck.

[goldstategop]

We good at turning basket cases into the envy of the world. Where others complain, America gets the job done.

[Support Free Republic]

Donating to the FreeRepublic will keep the bright beacon of Freedom shining so that our Troops and the world will know we stand with them.
	Please join us. Or mail checks to FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794 or you can use PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com
STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD- It is in the breaking news sidebar!

[snippy_about_it]

.

[randita]

We were warned of a slaughter of our soldiers in the streets, but the most common challenge in the Iraqi capital turned out to be how to keep people from stealing office furniture. Far from a bloodbath, we just need to get the water turned back on so folks can take regular baths.

Problems put into perspective.

[wku man]

"We don't sit around drinking tea and blaming history when the plumbing doesn't work."

Well, that'll change when Generation X takes control of our government. Except we sit around drinking bottled water blaming the Baby Boomers for everything, from our jobs being oursourced to our low Playstation scores.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[A Simple Soldier]

The guys leading squads and platoons and commanding companies are all "Gen X". Heck, most PSGs are now in their early 30s and many 1SGs, BN XOs and S3s are in their mid-30s, and therefore of Gen X. They all seem to be doing alright.

Be cautious when you paint with a broad brush.

Freegards,
a former Saber 01

[wku man]

The vast majority of Generation X have never served day one in uniform. You and I both know I'm not referring to those squad leaders, platoon sergeants and comany grade officers who are fighting right now in Iraq, Afghanistan, and God only knows where else.

Military Xers, which I used to be, are a different animal altogether. No, when I criticize Gen X, I refer to the spoiled cretins who haven't seen fit to contribute to the advancement of anything other than their own stock portfolio, or golf game. The ones who have never spent a day sering their nation, but have spent their lives serving themselves. The ones who believe their civic responsibility goes only as far as blaming the Baby Boomers for everything that's wrong with the country today, then voting for candidates who perpetuate the status quo.

No sir, when I criticize Generation X, I'm not talking about my bros in green. I'm talking about the ones with yellow running down their backs.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[A Simple Soldier]

Fair enough criticism, but I ask, honestly, what generation of Americans is that not true of? I would argue, that your criticisms are as valid for any generation that has ever lived in this nation with only slight deviations at best. Just like in any organization, a handful of people truly set the course.

We, as a society, have romanticized certain generations to the point of absurdity. Remember that the so-called (by Tom Brokaw anyway) Greatest Generation got us into and kept us in Vietnam with no coherent plan or vision. So while they saved the world in the 40s, they don't get a perfect report card due to their actions in the 60s and 70s.

Even in WW2, we only had, tops, about 30% of the 18-45 year old male populace in uniform.

I don't want to get into a big thing here as I am prepping to PCS overseas (with wife and 2 small daughters), but I think we too easily criticize our own generation based on mythical standards of older generations based on faded memories.

And lets be honest, a lot of the baby boomers are kinda f-'ed up. My parents included :)

[wku man]

You could have a point. I know what a pain in the fourth point of contact a PCS can be, so I won't take up your time. Good luck, and thank you for your service to our country. I know a whole bunch of Xers who should've done like you, and a bunch of Generation.commers I'm trying to persuade/harass/shame into doing like you and I did, that is paying a visit to their local recruiter, then raising their right hand. Be good, and God bless.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[RightWhale]

What do we do? Stick around a few years until Iraq is a functioning democracy. If Syria wishes to become a democracy in the meantime also, that can be arranged without much additional cost.