WHY WE ARE LOSING THE WAR

boblonsberry.com ^ | 07/28/10 | Bob Lonsberry

[shortstop]

Something is pretty wrong when the world's greatest super power can't easily defeat a bunch of 9th century goat herders. If you are not playing to win, don't play! As Rush says, "war is all about killing the enemy and breaking things."

[NMEwithin]

Rather, we have engaged in a half century of half measures, in which we have deployed our military repeatedly but never actually used it once.

As a combat vet myself, I whole heartedly agree with this...

[LottieDah]

Al Quaeda and the Taliban come out at night like vermin to set road side bombs. They know they can not fight face to face with an American, British or other solider. We are also fighting liberals who don’t want us to kill the enemy and break things.

[EyeGuy]

“If you are not playing to win, don’t play!”

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We haven’t fought that way since WW II.

If our enemies were smart, they would realize that and take heed.

Our still VERY potent iron fist, is swathed in many layers of political correctness, moral relativism and misplaced disdain for good old fashioned judgmentalism.

[SkyPilot]

He said what every Admiral or General knows is true, but won’t say it.

[US Navy Vet]

The United States has not been right militarily since the election of a combat-screw up, John F Kennedy.

[qwertypie]

Nuke Iran and Pakistan off the map and threaten the “holy” sites of Islam. After the initial shock wore off, the world would grouse but secretly be grateful.

[raygunfan]

Preaching to the choir, babe...

[Psalm 144]

We have tactical ability, but strategic stupidity.

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As a French officer observed of the British army in the 1700’s “They are an army of lions, led by asses.”

[swain_forkbeard]

Strange, isn’t it, that the USA seemed to lose its ability to win a war, just when it developed the ultimate means to do so. That’s always bothered me because, on the face of it, it doesn’t make sense.

[Psalm 144]

Something is pretty wrong when the world’s greatest super power can’t easily defeat a bunch of 9th century goat herders.

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Genghis Khan was able to do it - outnumbered, and equipped with ponies, bows and arrows - but with superior resolve and doctrine.

[Little Ray]

Depends.

There are only a couple of tribes that support the Taliban. Wiping them out would eliminate most of the Taliban’s supporters and make a good example for the rest of the tribes. But, if done right, this would probably involve wiping out those entire tribes, man, woman, and child. You want to ask our troops to do that?

Neither do I.

Normally, I’d suggest that we get the Afghanis to do it, but I doubt they could. Afghani troops have proven both inept and corrupt. And, as someone else mentioned, the Taliban is usually ahead of them in the “OODA” loop (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OODA_loop). By the time our Afghani allies get to the “Decision” part of the loop, the Taliban has usually acted, for instance sending a suicide bomber to eliminate their leaders.

[ex-snook]

Our history shows it is pretty clear. Without a Congressional declaration of war, the nation is not united. WW II united the nation, other conflicts since have caused divisions. Divisions prevent 100% all out pursuit of victory. Presidential Constitutional work bypasses for police actions, supporting UN resolutions, or 9/11 speeches does not do the job. You want 100% wars, then get 100% support. A draft would be unheard off today.

[Psalm 144]

Strange, isn’t it, that the USA seemed to lose its ability to win a war, just when it developed the ultimate means to do so. That’s always bothered me because, on the face of it, it doesn’t make sense.

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Kremlin 1 - D.C. 0

[Psalm 144]

Very good points.

[BobP]

...We pretend that by turning our troops into babysitters and welfare agents that we can 'win the hearts and minds' of 'the people.'

That has been America’s wartime strategy and tactic since Korea, and it has failed in every instance.

All policy crap from some liberals rear-end.

Take the fight to them, night and day. Do it with the Buff and the Spirit, the Lancer and the Eagle, the Hornet and the Tomahawk. Take it to the heart of their kingdoms. We have no friends there and never will. Make them yell uncle and then give 'em some more, for a few additional weeks. They respect real power and they haven't seen it really used anywhere in the two wars we are fighting. This is all about a golden goose for how many hundreds of contracters (and the big cut in it for the politicians - not to get off topic, but you can include healthcare in that mix too.)

Give 'em a good beatdown. I think most Americans would say that is what's needed.

Just my 2 cents.

WAKE UP AMERICA

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[Psalm 144]

But, if done right, this would probably involve wiping out those entire tribes, man, woman, and child. You want to ask our troops to do that?

**************

In the end, it is them or us with regard to jihad. This is a mere opening skirmish in the end game of Islam versus Everyone Else.

Yes.

[Hardraade]

Oh, American leaders still have the stones to go to war. The war just has to be against American citizens and the constitution.

[Fiji Hill]

Everyone seems to forget that we once defeated an insurgency led by Islamic extremists—the Moro War of 1902-1917, which was fought on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Of course, in those days, we didn’t have Washington-based liberals laying down “rules of engagement.”

[pepperdog]

This is a sadly brilliant piece.