The War of Wills
August 27, 2007
My family spent the afternoon yesterday at the DDay WWII Museum in New Orleans. This was one of the best museums I have had the pleasure of visiting – and I’ve been to a bunch! There are many historical points that are alive and well today and worthy of discussion here. So many historical parallels.
1. Isolationists – No matter what the situation, there will always be those who follow this type of thinking. These are the pacifists, the don’t mess with it unless it is a problem in my own backyard mindset people. As the war has gone on, these people are increasing in number for a few reasons: they only hear our US body count, they can’t look at the big picture, they are listening to the political war debate.
2. Kamikaze Pilots – There is no difference between one of them and a suicide bomber/murderer. Hard to defend against that mentality as it is unpredictable.
3. Measure of success- there has never been a clear measure for success in any war. Many situations arise along the way. There is an objective, but not anything measurable. We are demanding a measure that is impossible to write down in a paragraph from a government that can’t win in the media.
4. Never underestimate the enemy – In the past, we fought until we achieved our objective. Not achieving it was not an option. The people supported the war effort as they had a vested interest in the outcome. Today the enemy is ourselves. I don’t believe the President ever thought that this would become such a political war. He never thought that politicians would actually silently cheer a loss for their political gain while the media helped their cause.
So what is the measure of success in Iraq? It is in our best interest to leave Iraq with a democracy. The enemy is enjoying watching the “will” of the American people stagger as they are willing to wait it out. This is a war of wills and we have lost it as a people and because of that we have lost a war. I say we don’t lay down as a people and let the enemy win, we should continue to measure success by stabilizing regions and noting that attacks are less frequent with the surge. We can win this war. This Patriot has not given up hope and is behind the mission even to this day. Yes, I wish it was all over just like the rest of you, but we must prevail or the enemy will always consider us a weak force – forever.
note: Greta speaks for herself. She is a free thinker and feels that is part of the American tradition and way of life. Also noted that there have not been any attacks on American soil since 9/11 and that political attacks don’t measure a body count either.
Posted in 9/11, America, Big Media, Democrats, Gas & Oil, George W. Bush, In The News, Iraq, Milblogging, Military, Politics, Presidential election, Republicans, War On Terror, al-Qaeda, military spouse, soldiers
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August 27th, 2007 at 8:56 am
note: Greta speaks for herself
Not true. You speak for me on this occasion. Everything you said I agree with. Remember this post?
I think our military is the best in the world and can still win this. But without the American people behind it, it’s going to harder than it should. We as a country have lost something. During WWII, people knew it was bad but they were still behind the war effort because they knew the Nazis had to be stopped. In our email, microwave soup, pizza in 30 minutes or less, TIVO, broadband society we live in today we’ve come to expect everything to be done quick and easy. Even a war. I want it done, and I want it done yesterday. And if it’s not, we become impatient and frustrated. And yes, I include myself. We need to stop looking at right now and look 5 years or 10 years down the line. If we pull all U.S. troops from Iraq next year, what will happen in 2009 or 2012? Some in Congress don’t seem to be able to do that. They see voters and elections and power.
August 27th, 2007 at 9:02 am
GMTA
August 27th, 2007 at 1:07 pm
I don’t get your hip internet lingo. I had to go to Urban Dictionary to figure that out. But, YGMCDTAWTTIARO.
August 27th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
AMEN, Greta.
The enemy is enjoying watching the “will†of the American people stagger as they are willing to wait it out.
And they have said so quite explicitly for a very long time. Then again, why should the enemy within be bothered by such a thing?
Silky Pony is right about one thing–there ARE “two Americas,” but it’s not rich vs. poor, as he loves to say. (Doesn’t that make him vs. poor, anyway? I digress.) The “Two Americas” are Americans vs. “citizens of the world who happen to reside in the US,” who are embarrassed to be called Americans and are absolutely opposed to American strength and survival.
August 27th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
[...] I already predicted that the politicians will all have a “plan” in their speeches this week, that claim they will do more than the loser they are competing against. “The man” will pay for it all until we stop and ask ourselves…. who is “the man?” D’oh- it is you and me the taxpayer. Calming down here with my first sample of Abita Fall Fest – deeeeelish! Anyhoo, what really gets my goat is that the positive aspects of the city and the rebuilding efforts will not – I repeat – will not be the focus of the media in town. Just like the War on Terror focuses on soldiers’ body counts and you never hear the good stuff – dang my blood pressure is rising (and if you want to read my take on the War go here for something that makes me sound like I know what I’m talking about). [...]
August 28th, 2007 at 4:57 am
Great post, Greta!
Yes, in theory democracy in Iraq is a good thing. But what if Iraq ultimately ends up with a government more sympathetic to Iran than to the United States? What if Muqtada al-Sadr takes control? He already wields substantial power now. And what happens if (God forbid) there is another big attack on the United States? Does this mean we have to stop fighting them over there so we can fight them over here? We cannot stay in Iraq at the current numbers for much longer and we cannot pull out completely either (not without paying a heavy strategic and moral price). What do we do now?
So many questions…is it wrong to question?
August 28th, 2007 at 6:17 am
No Silke – it is not wrong to question but it is wrong to show the enemy how weak we are by becoming a divided force. When we set up a democracy in Iraq there is always risk that we won’t approve of their new government. As for another US attack – would the troops being home be necessary if it happened? Isn’t that an offensive strategy?
Questioning is not wrong, but cheering on a loss for political gain certainly is!!!!
August 28th, 2007 at 8:22 am
[...] Wallpaper : Tuesday, Aug 28th – 10:22am « The War of Wills [...]
September 2nd, 2007 at 9:59 am
Greta – If you haven’t already done so, read Flyboys by James Bradley, and see if you draw some parallels between Japan’s “Spirit Warriors” and their mentality, and that of modern-day terrorists.
It also includes some eye-opening data regarding the necessity of the use of napalm and the atomic bomb to end the war with Japan.
It gives one pause to think of the brutality of war, but also drives home the point that sometimes collateral damage saves lives.
September 4th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
[...] My answer: Soldiers’ Angels is a non-partisan organization but if you want my opinion on the war read here.Care to discuss. [...]
May 7th, 2008 at 2:01 am
I think that paralels between the “Divine Wind” and modern terrorism are misguided. “Divine Wind” were regular service people, and they responded to a desperate situation with a volunteer base. They were not religiously motivated, and were operating in the framework of an existing war. Additionally and most importantly, they only went for other military targets.
Many of these factors do not apply to terrorists. They are more like irregulars, with no legitimacy of operation above and beyond that which they have assumed. They attack targets that will bring them publicity for their cause, and they do so in a fashion that has more to do with Partisan warfare than any other. Too, their motivation is strictly religious, and their actions began the conflict as we know it, rather than being the result of measures to turn the tide of a conflict already in motion.
Terrorists are cowards. Lionized by their own press and nobody else. Put a uniform on them and give them strictly military discipline and their motivation for their “cause” might not be so great. The fact that they are volunteers should be ignored in the general analysis. People will volunteer for anything that absolves them of responsability for their actions. If they did not take their religon so seriously, they would be unable to find the motivation to do what they do. Turning their beliefs on them as their leaders do is a crime against humanity, military service and themselves all at once.
I would Honour the “Divine Wind” as servants of their government policy…
I would damn and condemn cowards who attack just anyone conveniant to their needs, in the name of a reliogon that claims to be non-militant, and yet disproves this by their very extremism.
We CAN live in Peace with Islam…..we just have to get rid of their hierarchy of the moment, so that ordinary Moslems can take back control of their lives, untainted by the actions of people wishing to use them by appealing to their faith.