I hate mornings. I’m one of those guys that emerges from bed every morning like a bear regains consciousness after being tranquilized and transported away from a populated area. Allow me to repeat myself: I hate mornings. Particularly this morning when I was forced to wake up and see this headline in the New York Times:
Military Seen as Best Able to Guide War
I was shocked, disappointed, and saddened. Clearly, the fickle American public has dropped the ball yet again. The military is the best branch of the government to run a war? America, we can do better than this. The politicians in Washington are elected by the American people, and if they aren’t the best ones to run this war, I don’t know who is.
For an example from history we need look no farther than World War II. This was the last major American war that our incompetent military commanders were allowed to run without restraint. Thankfully the politicians stepped in to handle post-war Europe, or else an aggressive communist government may have been allowed to control all of Eastern Europe! If only the politicians had stepped in sooner, and if only the anti-war voices would have yelled louder maybe Hitler would still be in power, and our society could have focused on preventing the greatest danger of that day, global cooling. Oh what a sad day it was when the United States decided to stick its nose into the business of another continent. If only we had known that Nazi Germany had nothing to do with Pearl Harbor…
The real tragedy today is that we have a president who refuses to listen to the commanders on the ground. We must elect a president that will micromanage every aspect of this war. Since WWII we have finally been able to see exactly how well congress can micromanage a war in the United State’s stunning successes in Korea and Vietnam. Vietnam, now those were the glory days. Politicians dictated when we went in, how long we stayed, and how we fought while we were there. America, I hope we have learned the lesson of Vietnam.
Remember, if bureaucrats and politicians can’t win the war, who can?
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Well, considering the small amount I know about the current situation, I think your onto something. Considering the same pattern is going on, its probably the right moves to leave it to the generals rather thazn the president to issue attacks and sh**t.
If the bureaucrats and politicians can’t then I will. But on a serious note, yeah, I see what you mean. But shouldn’t congress be allowed to do whatever they please. I mean, just because they were elected by the people doesn’t mean that they now have to listen to them. And it’s not like the people even know what’s going on. I mean, they’re sheep that just follow the omniscient big dogs wherever they go, as they should. And what about the sea-monkeys in the White House, why don’t they take a more active roll?
I’ve enjoyed reading your perspective on this whole political/war scene. I look forward to reading more articles by you on this…now concerning you in the mornings, I completely agree. I remember fondly those early Sunday mornings when I had to come in for room check!)
The less influence by the pricks in the suits the better. You don’t see the soldiers running around politickin. The decisions should be made by those who are there on the front lines every day and know exactly what is going on. We started this job let us finish it. Hoo-rah.
Generals gather in their masses
Just like witches at black masses
Evil minds that plot destruction
Sorcerers of death’s construction
In the fields the bodies burning
As the war machines keep turning
Death and hatred to mankind
Poisoning their brainwashed minds.
Politicians hide themselves away
They only started the war
Why should they go out to fight?
They leave that role to the poor
Time will tell on their power minds
Making war just for fun
Treating people just like pawns in chess
Wait till their judgement day comes, yeah!
Now in darkness, world stops turning
As the war machine keeps burning
No more war pigs of the power
Hand of God has sturck the hour
Day of judgement, God is calling
On their knees, the war pigs crawling
Begging mercy for their sins
Satan, laughing, spreads his wings
All right now!
Tonight in choir I sat next to a Quaker peace activist. She travels the world making peace, and while talking to me, she said she was going to be spending two months in Africa. I said, “That a great place to go and make peace. The only place I can think of that need it more would be the Middle East.” She said, “What about us? What with all the violence and the military everywhere?” I could tell where she was going, but just looked at her and said, “Yea, but . . .” I left that hanging, and then I referred the the movie Hotel Rawanda. She couldn’t do it. She realized the ludicrousness of putting America in the same category with warring African nations. Our conversation moved on smoothly, but inside I was laughing. That kind of rhetoric may work some places, but not with me.
I’ve listened to the podcasts. Sorry I couldn’t call in, but lay off G.W. He’s a friend of mine.
wow doug! this is….something
I’ll manage the war. Think Command and Conquer in RL. :D
Wonderful point Doug . . . for the modern era, at least. Just for the sake of throwing some balancing weight into the discussion, there have been some very foolish military commanders in the past, and usually wars are won by having good men in both the military and DC.
(think the Union during the Civil War)
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