Zeev's Turnips Talk Politics (ZTTP)

[mike_m]

<<Even the symbol, bin Laden, remains as elusive as ever. This has got to be tremendously frustrating for a military used to being able to identify and locate a target, and proceed methodically against it. Is it any wonder, then, that the "terrorist threat" seems to have been shifted to a single nation, and that effecting a "regime change" has been defined as a "victory against international terror"? That being achieved, the military can now proceed in a more traditional manner. >>

Having been a part of that military for over 46 years, first as a dependent, then as a West Pointer, and finally as an officer, I can address some of that comment. This isn't the first time we have had an elusive enemy to combat. In Korea we thought we were fighting an aggressor NK army. Then a new foe came across another border and shocked the heck out of us. Unfortunately they were supplied from China and that country was determined to be out of bounds.

In Vietnam we came across a similar set of circumstances. The enemy was elusive and the country we were at war with was off limits to ground forces.

Those were the wars we did not win. But then no one wins wars. Someone just loses more.

The thing that frightens me is when people decide there is nothing worth fighting for. I'm not sure about Iraq. I don't have as much evidence as does our government and the CIA. Unfortunately, there will always be an element which believes we have an untrustworthy government. Because there have be shenanigans, all politicians will be painted with the same brush; guilty or not.

To assume that Saddam can't hurt us is preposterous since 911. We now know that enemies with very meager means can make our lives miserable. They don't even have to make us the direct target. Simply making the world a more dangerous place hurts us all. Who will stand up to countries with WMD's when they encroach on their neighbors?

I am only sure of one thing in this issue, if we don't trust our government to make correct assesments and the right decisions then we are in a heck of a pickle.