In spite of Iraq Study Group's claims, IRAQ Doesn't Spell VIETNAM
The Iraq Study Group's cut and run approach to the war is devestating on several fronts. Their approach is built on the assumption that we were wrong to invade and we need to leave as soon as possible. This is the wrong message to send to our troops, our allies, and most importantly to our enemies.
I feel like many aret trying to spell IRAQ as "V-I-E-T-N-A-M," but they couldn't be more wrong. The US could never adequately explain how we got to Vietnam or why it was a threat to our freedoms (in spite of the "Domino Theory"). Iraq gave every indication they were making weapons of mass destruction and they had violated the penalties put on them after the first Iraq War for over a decade. Given every opportunity to change they disregarded the international community and behaved exactly like country that wanted the treatment it received.
Furthermore, and this is important, since conducting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan we have not faced a major threat here in the United States. I think of the old song "Over There," which sang the praises of US troops in WWI and WW II defending our freedoms around the world. Today, because our troops are "over there" so are our likely enemies. Instead of New York, LA, or Houston being the theater of war, it is in the Middle East where it belongs. Instead of being "fought" with the bodies of small children and families in this country, it is being conducted by military professionals who volunteered to put themselves in this situation. This is a just war that needs to be fought more effectively.
Speaking of that, the Democrats must be devastated because of the "change" their election that led them to control Congress has brought. The President believes this war can be won and is backing up that belief with action. He is likely to announce sending more troops next month (I believe he is waiting until then to make such an announcement in order to get them lined up for deployment).
It is time for us to remember why we are in Iraq and restore the resolve that played such a major role early in our campaign. It is true there is a need for change, but that should be towards victory and not retreat.
posted by Kevin Price at 8:44 PM
1 Comments:
After reading "Unfit for Command", the profile on John Kerry's influence over America via his self-centered protests over Viet Nam and his disparagement of our excellent fighting forces and the results of that influence, it is amazing how the media creates more problems for our country and the innocents of the world. When our troops pulled out of Viet Nam, the Communist Chinese killed over 2,000,000 Vietanamese (where are those reports now?). It can be said and needs to be said, that the media and World opinion emboldened Saddam along with other supporting countries like France, Russia, and Germany (who benefitted from the UN oil for food program). They all underestimated President Bush's resolve and determination (and still do). They failed to understand the nature of the dynamics of the threat of Iraq and terrorism - from Saddam shooting at our fighter jets in the "no-fly zone" (a treaty he signed), his former invasion of Kuwait which lead to his containment, to trading food for oil under the U.N. review, kicking the WMD inspectors out of his country, human rights violations, supporting terror groups, and not abiding by the unanimous U.N. mandates that called for submission to the policies created to stop this emerging threat. Unfortunately, people fail to understand that America has emerged as the freedom fighting example to the world. I am proud to be an American and I think it is time that we push the "Anti-American" sympathizers back into their caves. Many of the protesting countries owe their very existance to our good men and women who answer the call to protect their freedoms. It seems that many are second guessing and avoiding the obvious need to protect our interests and influence in the world (people have the right to be wrong, but those of us in the right can't let them have the final say). America is a blessed Nation because we have been the one to respond (slowly at times in history, but just in time in many instances). I think our country is ready for the global challenge affecting our preservation. Let's rock and let's lock and load.
Andy Valadez
USMC 88 to 92
p.s. Remembering Beirut bombing of 1983 (241 of our servicemen were KIA serving as peace keepers in the middle east).
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