Afghanistan...

[Allen]

I was reading all the comments left on CNN about the article where Senator McCain was saying President Obama should support the general HE put in place by supplying him with the resources he needs to do the job he was assigned to do. And I was struck by the large number of obliviots who's sole reason for objecting is that it was said by a REPUBLICAN.

1. Yes, Iraq was Shrub's war, it was ill thought out, based on faulty intel, and more than a little wag the dog. Fine, all that's true. Afghanistan is where the guys who planned 9-11 WERE, and where they were training even MORE people to do it again. And THAT'S why we're involved over there. Was either the wisest course? Probably not, but as for BOTH places, we're there now, so just get over it. The absolute DUMBEST thing you can do after you've hit a hornet's nest with a stick is to stand there and say "Sorry old chaps, my mistake."

2. Vietnam wasn't lost by the military. Vietnam was lost by the politicians and those in the general public who were tired of the war and wanted peace at any cost, and that cost was pretty high, all things considered. There's more at stake in Afghanistan. Another 9-11 type attack is not only probable, it would be inevitable if we show the jihadist that we're weak and indecisive.

2a. They don't THINK about things the same way coddled middle class Americans do. The closest analogies I can think of domestically would be those ultra ultra far right militia nuts, or inner city gang members. Religious fanaticism just doesn't allow for much in the way compromise.... they're either going to heaven, or their not. They think what they're doing will get them there. Unless you want the US to adopt their strict Sharia law, and dis-avow Israel's very right to exist, there's NOTHING else we can really do that will make them 'happy'.

3. We probably ARE somewhat 'weak and indecisive', and we get bored quickly, too. We want to go in, drop a few bombs, declare victory, wave the flag, and then go home to get back to 'life as normal'... The real world rarely works that way.

3a. War is always ugly. However, most principles require sacrifice, otherwise they are just meaningless platitudes. Do I want to get shot? Absolutely not. Do I want my kids to get shot? Double ditto. BUT there are some things that are bigger than what I want. I think I'd rather be shot fighting for what's right than to be slaughtered like a sheep in a terrorist attack. Choose carefully.

4. Many atrocities in war come not from zealots, but from people who are overtired, stressed beyond their breaking point, and scared spitless that they're never gonna get out of the hole they are in. Stretching our soldiers too thin because it isn't 'politically expedient' to give them replacements and support is a sure recipe for such disasters.

5. It took WWII to get us out of the Great Depression. That's about the only real way for a government to spend it's way to prosperity. Argue all you want. The New Deal didn't do it. Lend- Lease and the ramp up after Pearl Harbor are what got industry moving again. Totally sucks, doesn't it?

6. All those extra needed troops would mean at least SOMEBODY would be hiring a bunch of warm bodies in the near future. (Cynical ain't I?)

The right answer is obvious and logical. Neither of which have anything to do with 'politics'. Obama simply has to do what needs to be done. Or he fails the troops, and the country.

[Ed Radtke]

I couldn't possibly argue with a single word you said.Send it to Washington.

[KG1584]

Sort of an interesting predicament for a NOBEL PEACE PRIZE winning commander in chief of the US military to have to use force to accomplish the mission

[Billy J Shafer]

As a nam vet I can tell you we had that war won. But the brave boys in DC stabbed us in the back. If Obama has any brains at all he will give the military full control of the war and get out of the way. Let them do their job. People in this country need to understand. You can't be nice to people who don't want to hear what you have to say.

[John Newman, Jr.]

One way that will NOT insure victory is to send troops over in a trickle. The only way to defeat an enemy is to overwhelm them with superior forces. A perfect example would be the D-Day invasion. Hundreds of thousands of troops staged and readied for one massive campaign. Then, when you take an area away from the enemy, maintain a formidable presence so that the enemy can't move back in as soon as your forces move on the the next target.

[Peter]

Wont it seem more than a bit hypocritical for obama to support the fight after railing against this in the election campaign. Then accepting a Nobel Peace Prize for his years of highly successful efforts, bring peace to the world. How can he turn around and fight. Better too apologize and hope they leave us alone until after the next election.

As far a Irag goes. Sadam claimed to have nukes and claimed to be willing to use them. HIS WORDS. Good enough for me. Bush was the wrong person to attempt any subtle bluff like that. He threaten us at the wrong time. Tough crap.

[Gary K]

After reading your article pertaining to terrorists, I found a newspaper article someone sent me about 6 months ago, and thought I'd share it:

General Black Jack Pershing was born September 13, 1860 near Lacledes, MS, he died July 15, 1948 in Washington, D. C.

Highlights of his life include:
1891 Prof. of Military Science and Tactics Univer. of Nebraska.
1898 serves in the Spanish - American War.
1901 Awarded rank of Captain.
1906 Promoted to rank of Brigadier General.
1909 Military Governor of Moro Province, Philippines.
1916 Made Major General.
1919 Promoted to General of the Armies.
1921 Appointed Chief of Staff.
1924 Retires from active duty Eduction West Point.

Just before World War I, there were a number of terrorist attacks on the United States forces in the Philippines by Muslim extremists. So General Pershing captured 50 terrorists and had them tied to posts for execution. He then had his men bring in two pigs and slaughter them in front of the now horrified terrorists.

Muslim's detest pork because they believe pigs are filthy animals. Some of them simply refuse to eat it, while others won't even touch pigs at all, nor any of their by-products. To them, eating or touching a pig, its meat, its blood, etc., is to be instantly barred from paradise (and those virgins) and doomed to hell.

The soldiers then soaked their bullets in the pigs blood, and proceeded to execute 49 of the terrorist's by firing squad. The soldiers then dug a big hole, dumped in the terrorist's bodies and covered them in pig blood, entrails, etc.

They let the 50th man go. And for the next 42 years, there was not a single Muslim extremist attack anywhere in the world.

Maybe it is time for this segment of history to repeat itself, maybe in Iraq? The question is, where do we find another Black Jack Pershing?

[Sky]

Thats just it. You wont find another pershing. He'd be to ready to kick a$$ (and would get the job done) The idiots in DC dont want that. For any money involed, thats how long they drag it on. If they ended all the neusance, no more $$ and no more awards and that makes them cry.

[BobRR]

Sounds like Gary has the solution for gitmo! BobRR

[rusted]

Well thought out and well said, Allen. Americans must realize that we can fight them over there or we can fight them here. The radical Muslims are willing to fight for as long as it takes to achieve domination over all other religions, whether it is five years or fifty. Billy Shafer is 100% correct. God bless America! We need it!

[Billy J Shafer]

People need to understand .A lot of men and women died in nam. Because of the stupid rules we had to fight under. Now the brave boys in DC are doing it again. War means you break things and sometimes the wrong people get killed. We need to send everyone we can in and clean the country out. Then help the common people rebuild their towns. Show them who really cares about them.

[Jim Conte]

Originally Posted by John Newman, Jr.

overwhelm them with superior forces. A perfect example would be the D-Day invasion. Hundreds of thousands of troops staged and readied for one massive campaign.{/QUOTE]

That would take some kind of National Resolve...haven't seen much of That around here lately...

[ QUOTE ]Then, when you take an area away from the enemy, maintain a formidable presence ] and maybe secure the borders [ so that the enemy can't move back in as soon as your forces move on the the next target.

That would take a Military Predominance ( Fight to Win ) rather than a Political Predominance ( Let's play diplomatic tiddly-winks with a gang of fanatical bloodthirsty beheaders and assassins. )

Patton was taken out by " accident ", he didn't think much of sitting on our hands while the Reds set-up the Iron Curtain. MacArthur got fired because he didn't believe in " limited warfare " against the Reds in Korea.