Welcome to Ranger Against War
I've created this site as a realistic opposition to the present Iraq occupation and attendant policies. I'm not a political partisan, just a former military man and thinker (no, they need not be mutually exclusive) who is vastly disappointed with our country's war on terror--a rhetorical impossibility, as you cannot fight a technique, which is what terrorism is.
So much has been written on the topic that I am humbled by the weight of intelligent criticisms to the present conflict. Suffice it to say that I am not opposed to any war, ONLY those that do not address the threat in a realistic manner. Unfortunately, good people on both sides are being killed in this conflict, and the threat to America is not alleviated, only exacerbated.
The threat against the US military in-theatre is generally perceived to be an unprovoked invasion, and miltary engagement can be seen as an appropriate response to invasion. Bear in mind that US OSS assets in WWII France and British SOE experts used tactics such as bombs, assassinations, kidnappings, etc., as tactics against the Nazi occupation. Bear in mind also that the term "terror bombing" was originated by the US Army Air Corps. (Remember Dresden...Tokyo?!) Terror and terror tactics are not new to the US militarily, either offensively or defensively. Remember that Project Phoenix in Vietnam actually used assassination as a tool of US policy.
In addition, American military personnel are not protecting the liberty and freedom of American citizens in this effort. Does anybody believe that Iraq presents a realistic threat to the national existence of America? Americans are dying to introduce democracy into a country that cannot produce a consensus on realistic compromise on the most basic issues. The US military is designed to protect America against enemy armies. Since war was not declared, our military might is being expended to suppress indigenous oppostion to US occupation and dominance in a society that never requested assistance.
Another bottom-line oppostion to the war concern the policies of the Bush administration that are hostile to veteran's issues. An example was this year's budget shortfall in funding the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Another example is the issue of disability compensation for returning veterans.
Unfortunately, the DAV, Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) and the American Legion offer no criticism to the war, even though their monthly publications routinely and depressingly discuss budget shortfalls and DAV medical and funding deficiencies. Despite their recognition of a domestic failure in "supporting the troops" upon their return, there is reasoned response to a knee-jerk national policy that has no basis in rational thought.
In addition, if Social security has problems, then why is five billion dollars a month being spent to kill people in Iraq? Let's use this money to bnefit US citizens here in America. If America continues a $200 billion a year trade deficit with China and continues to borrow money China to finance US purchases of cheap Chinese goods, then things are totally out of control. The US is borrowing to pay for a war that will never have any positive effect upon the welfare of the average American citizen, economic or otherwise. Why do we need this debt, and who will repay it?!
It's average Americans that are getting killed in Iraq and this must stop immediately, for the stated purpose of making America safe from terror is not being addressed by by our enagement in the morass of Iraq's internecine rivalries. The waste of life on both sides must stop. The world will not stop if the US withdraws from Iraq. If this war is so important to Mr. Bush, then let his children enlist in the noble cause.
contact me at "jim@rangeragainstwar.com"
So much has been written on the topic that I am humbled by the weight of intelligent criticisms to the present conflict. Suffice it to say that I am not opposed to any war, ONLY those that do not address the threat in a realistic manner. Unfortunately, good people on both sides are being killed in this conflict, and the threat to America is not alleviated, only exacerbated.
The threat against the US military in-theatre is generally perceived to be an unprovoked invasion, and miltary engagement can be seen as an appropriate response to invasion. Bear in mind that US OSS assets in WWII France and British SOE experts used tactics such as bombs, assassinations, kidnappings, etc., as tactics against the Nazi occupation. Bear in mind also that the term "terror bombing" was originated by the US Army Air Corps. (Remember Dresden...Tokyo?!) Terror and terror tactics are not new to the US militarily, either offensively or defensively. Remember that Project Phoenix in Vietnam actually used assassination as a tool of US policy.
In addition, American military personnel are not protecting the liberty and freedom of American citizens in this effort. Does anybody believe that Iraq presents a realistic threat to the national existence of America? Americans are dying to introduce democracy into a country that cannot produce a consensus on realistic compromise on the most basic issues. The US military is designed to protect America against enemy armies. Since war was not declared, our military might is being expended to suppress indigenous oppostion to US occupation and dominance in a society that never requested assistance.
Another bottom-line oppostion to the war concern the policies of the Bush administration that are hostile to veteran's issues. An example was this year's budget shortfall in funding the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Another example is the issue of disability compensation for returning veterans.
Unfortunately, the DAV, Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) and the American Legion offer no criticism to the war, even though their monthly publications routinely and depressingly discuss budget shortfalls and DAV medical and funding deficiencies. Despite their recognition of a domestic failure in "supporting the troops" upon their return, there is reasoned response to a knee-jerk national policy that has no basis in rational thought.
In addition, if Social security has problems, then why is five billion dollars a month being spent to kill people in Iraq? Let's use this money to bnefit US citizens here in America. If America continues a $200 billion a year trade deficit with China and continues to borrow money China to finance US purchases of cheap Chinese goods, then things are totally out of control. The US is borrowing to pay for a war that will never have any positive effect upon the welfare of the average American citizen, economic or otherwise. Why do we need this debt, and who will repay it?!
It's average Americans that are getting killed in Iraq and this must stop immediately, for the stated purpose of making America safe from terror is not being addressed by by our enagement in the morass of Iraq's internecine rivalries. The waste of life on both sides must stop. The world will not stop if the US withdraws from Iraq. If this war is so important to Mr. Bush, then let his children enlist in the noble cause.
contact me at "jim@rangeragainstwar.com"
posted by rangeragainstwar at 11:27 AM
2 Comments:
Greetings from an old Ranger: Have read with interest your comments in your blog. You mentioned being at Mayo. One word of caution, I had an appointment there in past six months and the confirmation of said appointment was from the OB-Gyn department. Now I got hit a couple of times as a Ranger, but they weren't gender altering. I am now going to Schanz at Gainesville. Recommend checking it out, at least they can keep your gender straight, or identify that you are straight.
Seriously, I agree that we are woefully unprepared to field a military government operation today; forget history and you're doomed. Europe post VE day was prepared for, at that time, by our military, and considering all things as they were, functioned reasonably well. Perhaps some GI corruption/looting, but not on the scale of present CoE contractors or KBR support contracts. When, except in garrison, is the military supposed to have all support activities performed by civilian contractors. And, when struggling against folks defending their tribe, family, and faith, can you afford to take the chance at having those same folks inside your perimeter to cook, launder, and wash dishes? I am not a military professional today, perhaps 50+ years ago, but common sense tells me you are correct in your observations about how to utilize combat force and how to utilize support troops. Keep up the observations, many don't, can't, think of such things. Look forward to seeing you again someday at Panera in TLH.
Rannger, Thanks for the concern and for visiting.It thrills me to have experienced soldiers comment on my writings.
As for my writings I'd prefer never to write or discuss the things that are daily on my blog entries BUT I must do so since the so called professionals do nothing but propagate the official lies
It,s really strange that more old soldiers don't speak out.
Thank you Ranger, lets keep the perimeter tight. jim
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