[Flying Dutchman]

Ok, this is going to be a long one so to everybody who doesn’t like to read a lot please skip.

I try to look at things as logically and unemotionally as possible. For those who hate Bush, and I mean hate him, it is hard for you to look at the war without letting that cloud your judgment. While I am not overly fond of him, I do not hate him. I realize that politics carries with it a certain amount of lies, deceit, half-truths and falsehoods. I know that backroom deals are made and the partisanship in Washington causes many good ideas to be washed away. I also understand military strategy, somewhat, but I do not imply I am always correct or even an expert.

My opinions:

Yes, North Korea poses a more serious threat than Iraq did or does. They also border the largest communist country on the planet. China does not want us anywhere close to them, nor do we wish to be close to them. We do not want a war with China. Also, the people of NK seem to enjoy their government. Attacking NK would mean attacking its citizens, which is not a good thing. There is no strategic reason to attack them since China somewhat keeps them in check and we can try and let diplomacy work.

I agree that we should have finished what we started in Afghanistan. Unfortunately, our policy and the UN’s policy is not for us to take over, but to “liberate” and turn it over to it’s own leaders. This would work if the leaders were not tribal members, but we cannot help that. If we could go Roman, it would make things easier but to many do not like the idea of being heavy footed. That’s a shame.

I personally believe Iran is our biggest threat, more so economically than militarily. I also believe that our government (both repubs and dems) knew this also. So, strategically how does one put a military force in close proximity of one’s enemy? Ahhhhhhh…Iraq. We would not have to attack the populace, they did not like Saddam. We would not have to fight against any opposing country, since none of Iraq’s neighbors liked Saddam either. We could go in, get rid off him, turn the country over to it’s own people and keep our military there. We knew that Iran wanted, or wants to, control the oil. We also knew that Saudi Arabia did not like Iran but does not have the military or control of its people to put up a very good fight. If you think that WMD’s were the only reason to take them out, then you are gullible. I think our government THOUGHT there were WMD’s there, but did not care one way or another. It sure sounded good as an added reason. If you give Bush credit for making that up…you think more of him than I do. If he truly lied about it…I can guarantee you a whole butt load of them would have been found. If he has the power to start a war, it is only reasonable to think he could have WMD’s planted there after invading. Kind of like a throw down.

Now come the problems.
Tribal leaders. Instead of wanting to get their country on track, they would rather attack and fight each other. We are not the ones randomly blowing up civilians…they are. It’s like a neighborhood allowing the drug dealers to run it. Everybody is scared to do anything. Add to that the porous borders and trying to fight an enemy that looks just like everybody else…it becomes a mess. The other added problem is the American public’s inability to stay committed and focused. Bin Laden had it right, our people cannot handle a drawn out fight. If we were a boxer, we would not want to fight past 4 rounds. We are a nation of instant gratification and results.
The money. No doubt, this war is expensive. I think it is naive to believe the money would be spent elsewhere. The money spent on the war is, and was, earmarked precisely for the war. It is not being taken out of other funds, our taxes have not been raised, and we are not being rationed. Come to think of it, we Americans haven’t really made any sacrifices monetarily for this war. Could the money spent be used elsewhere? Yes it could. Would it be? No it would not. Look at how much the presidential candidates have spent so far to run for office. Now, could that money have been spent elsewhere? Think it would have been? The government’s budget is not like yours and mine. It is a use it or lose it situation.
The lives lost. Any life lost is a tragedy. That being said….if I were to propose to the nation that we were going to war, against urban guerilla warfare, for 5 years, and the casualty count would be 1% a year…STRATEGICALLY that is a win. I do not discredit or dishonor those who have died by pointing out the casualties statistically. By implying they have died in vain, or for an unjust cause, does dishonor them.

You can blame Bush…you can blame Clinton….hell, you could blame your neighbor who refuses to close their blinds and walks around the house naked…that’s fine. Me, I blame a bunch of ignorant nutjobs that think their God wants them to destroy people. I blame an enemy that is so fundamentally opposite of us, it is like comparing night to day. I could care less about who could have stopped the 9/11 attacks…I care about the shitheads that planned it and carried it out. This war was waged long before 9/11; we just didn’t take it seriously. Now, we are locked in a battle that is going to outlast each of us. Our great grandchildren will be fighting this thing because we are at war with ideals. Our enemy has nothing to lose and everything to gain. That makes this a battle of attrition. I can only hope that we can stay focused long enough to finally win it.