Fighting Under World War II Rules

A Publius Essay | 24 January 2007 | Publius

[JamesP81]

I would be more than willing to go through the rationing, the speed limit restrictions, the hard times in general if it meant that we would be rid of the Islamic threat to our way of life. Sometimes sacrifice is necessary to win a real victory. Our current warfare pattern is not a recipie for true and long-term victory.

I agree. Small price to pay compared to what those before us have paid...

[JamesP81]

Certain congressmen and senators would be expelled from Congress.

This can't possibly happen soon enough.

[Publius]

If you click on my name, you'll see I served as an officer 35 years ago. The equipment I was trained on was purged from the inventory back in the Eighties -- and I'm 30 pounds heavier -- but if they needed my skill set and I could help, I'd happily give a hand.

If we found ourselves fighting homegrown jihadists while our soldiers were abroad, and if we established something like Britain's World War II era Home Guard, I'd happily trot on down to the nearest armory and volunteer. They may need people with officer experience.

As far as wars being fought too rapidly, we fell into that trap in Iraq. The shock-and-awe campaign was brilliant, but the troops were needed to handle an occupation. If we reinstate conscription, we'll be training people to occupy just as much as to sieze ground.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Yet on May 4, 2007, Rasmussen Reports reported...

Democrats in America are evenly divided on the question of whether George W. Bush knew about the 9/11 terrorist attacks in advance. Thirty-five percent (35%) of Democrats believe he did know, 39% say he did not know, and 26% are not sure.

Could an enormous propaganda campaign possibly convince these kooks? I seriously doubt it. They would probably have to be sent to internment camps with the Muslims.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

America now found itself fighting under Vietnam Rules. And it lost.

We won in 1973 before we lost in 1975. Then we won again in 2003 before we lost in 200X.

[Publius]

That 35% also believes that the president stole the election of 2000 in Florida and the election of 2004 in Ohio. They will tell you that we are being governed by Halliburton and Big Oil.

If we were perceived as winning the war -- or if there were an obvious and unified national will to win the war -- then I doubt that 35% would give that answer. Further, in that case I doubt that any reputable polling firm would dare ask that question.

[Old Sarge]

A declaration of war would be on the books, not so much for constitutional reasons but for political reasons.
The word “sacrifice” would be heard on a daily basis, and Americans would be willing to live with fewer government programs, to include reduced entitlements.

- SNIP _

Certain congressmen and senators would be expelled from Congress.

These things will only happen under a Leftist Presidency.

[Publius]

I’m not sure what you mean, Sarge. Why would these things only happen under a leftist presidency?

[Old Sarge]

Because a Leftist Presidency would get the unequivocal and unanimous backing of the press, the campuses, and the majority of the American people - after all, they are the majority now.

There is no way you can convince me that a non-Socialist President could ever pull this off, even if American cities were reduced to radioactive piles the day before.

Appeals to American unity would be derided as reactionary right-wing extremist jingoism.

The victim industry would shriek how the attacks were our own fault.

Or better still, how they were American weapons fired by stealth bombers (LIHOP/MIHOP).

And the sheep will believe.

I no longer have faith or trust in the Americna people. They have proven they are willing to leave their soldeirs twisting in the wind. I am sorry I ever went to Iraq. These people don’t deserve my protection.

[Inyo-Mono]

Bttt!

[PISANO]

Unless there was another catastrophic attack on the US with a nation openly declaring war on us, these "WW2" rules would never fly.

IF 911 wasn't enough to change the hearts and minds of our nation's citizens, with the open declaration of war on the US by Al Qaeda, I seriously doubt another attack [or one after that] would change things.

[Publius]

Ping.