The Troops Have Moved On

The New York Times ^ | May 29, 2006 | Owen West

[11B Warrior]

We are at the outset of a long war, and not just in Iraq. Yet it is being led politically by the short-sighted, from both sides of the aisle. The deterioration of American support for the mission in Iraq is indicative not so much of our military conduct there, where real gains are coming slowly but steadily, but of chaotic leadership.

Somehow Operation Iraqi Freedom, not a large war by America's historical standards, has blossomed into a crisis of expectations that threatens our ability to react to future threats with a fist instead of five fingers. Instead of rallying we are squabbling, even as the slow fuse burns.

[11B Warrior]

THE MOST IMPORTANT OP-ED ABOUT THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR! Owen West, a Marine Iraq Vet, and the founder of a really interesting group called Vets for Freedom, writes about how the short-sighted American media and politicians are completely inept at dealing with this war in a rational, mature manner. The big shocker is that the New York Times published it. This is a "must read" if you care about winning this war. Owen West puts the conflict in persective. Slam Dunk!

[Dark Skies]

That's a solid article. Thx for posting it.

With regard to the following...

As Kipling wrote, "The strength of the pack is the wolf."

...I would submit that the strength of the pack is the "alpha male" (our President). He needs to constantly sell this war and that includes shaming anyone who beatches or complains (the way Murtha, Kerry and the rest do constantly).

This is a world war between virulent islam and modernity. It must be won before this enemy gets nuclear weapons because a suicidal army with nukes is the most lethal combination the world has ever known.

[kalee]

PING

[Fee]

The globalists are divided amongst the Dems and GOP. Both want the ability to move goods, materials and PEOPLE globally. At the same time these globalists play their political games to insure the party of their choice is in power to support their agendas in other areas (social and cultural). The Dem globalists realize that their partisan tactics may have backfired. Making GWB look bad and giving tacit approval for extreme left attacks by remaining silent, the Dem globalists realize that they may have created an isolationist America supported by the leftwing fringe and war weary conservatives. If the US becomes neo isolationists, then the Dem globalists cannot move their internationalist agenda forward, especially if a Dem wins the 2008 elections. IMHO that is why we are starting to see Dems op eds that have second thoughts of beating up all of GWB's foreign policy.

[yldstrk]

Very food article. Our all volunteer career force is vvery strong, very noble and very well trained very conscientious.

[RoadTest]

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier
and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the
service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the
love and thanks of man and woman."

-- Thomas Paine (The American Crisis, No. 1, 19 December 1776)

Reference: Thomas Paine: Collected Writings , Foner ed., Library
of America (91)

[bordergal]

If that's the case, we shouldn't be setting up countries with Islam as source of legislation. That defeats the purpose for which these men and women are fighting and dying. Remember Abdul Rahman? Conversion to Christianity is still worth the death penalty in Afghanistan.

We shouldn't be creating a modern Muslim military that could turn on our soliders, or combine with the shiites in Iran to make our lives miserable. Rather, we should be doing everything we can to make sure they do NOT have effective military power.

We shouldn't be allowing muslim immigrants or students into our country, as that raises the risk to the civilian population of the US. During WWII, would we have let massive numbers of Germans or Japanese or Italians move into or study in the US?

We shouldn't be providing aid to the enemy, including countries like Eqypt.

We SHOULD be working hell for leather on energy independence, instead of making feeble little attempts to deal with that problem.

[Dark Skies]

I just wish Condi would agree with your statement!

Looks like it's gonna be "bordergal" in 2008!!!

[68skylark]

It's a good editorial. Not great but good, and I'm glad to see something this sensible in the New York Times -- it's a healthy sign.

[68skylark]

Our warriors are the hunters, not the hunted.

This is my favorite line in the article.

It's true, and it's something that usually never gets reported in the NY Times. I'm sure this line will stir a lot of angry letters to the editor.

[El Gato]

support for the mission in Iraq is indicative not so much of our military conduct there, where real gains are coming slowly but steadily, but of chaotic leadership.

Of course it couldn't have anything, anything at all, to do with the way the media is coverning the war, could it? Nah, must be:

Bush's fault!

[El Gato]

Our all volunteer career force is vvery strong, very noble and very well trained very conscientious.

And so very small that they have to be augmented, even for such a small war, by reservists and National Guardsmen.

BTW, those reserve forces are also noble, well trained, and conscientious.