Discomfort Zone
Recently, I've been trying to discover the source of my discomfort with Iraq and Afghanistan (aside from the obvious unjustifiability of the U.S. endeavors.)
Soldiers are meant to die, and battlefield deaths are expected. However, the purpose of the U.S. military is not to fill up cemetaries, but rather to win wars. U.S. deaths must serve a larger purpose
In wars like the Civil War, Spanish-American, WW's I and II, every military death led America one step closer to a clearly-defined endpoint. Across Europe and the Pacific, personnel died for every yard of soil wrenched from the Nazis and Japanese. Every soldier died for a purpose, and the enemy paid dearly in casualties. In this sense, every step closer to Berlin and Tokyo was another step closer to successful termination of the conflict. The present administration has overused and misapplied the concept of victory, so much so that the use of word now feels labored.
Take the famous photo of the USMC Corporal who was shot and rescued in Iraq. What a wonderful picture of the courage and determination of our combat troops, but did they get the shooter? Since no one has addressed this in any article, it's a safe guess that the answer is no.
Bravery and courage do not win wars--killing the enemy does, and the Iraq scenario is definitely favoring the resistance fighters over the U.S. forces. Unless U.S. forces achieve and maintain a favorable kill ratio, the lives of our soldiers are being wasted.
Soldiers are meant to die, and battlefield deaths are expected. However, the purpose of the U.S. military is not to fill up cemetaries, but rather to win wars. U.S. deaths must serve a larger purpose
In wars like the Civil War, Spanish-American, WW's I and II, every military death led America one step closer to a clearly-defined endpoint. Across Europe and the Pacific, personnel died for every yard of soil wrenched from the Nazis and Japanese. Every soldier died for a purpose, and the enemy paid dearly in casualties. In this sense, every step closer to Berlin and Tokyo was another step closer to successful termination of the conflict. The present administration has overused and misapplied the concept of victory, so much so that the use of word now feels labored.
Take the famous photo of the USMC Corporal who was shot and rescued in Iraq. What a wonderful picture of the courage and determination of our combat troops, but did they get the shooter? Since no one has addressed this in any article, it's a safe guess that the answer is no.
Bravery and courage do not win wars--killing the enemy does, and the Iraq scenario is definitely favoring the resistance fighters over the U.S. forces. Unless U.S. forces achieve and maintain a favorable kill ratio, the lives of our soldiers are being wasted.
posted by rangeragainstwar at 12:13 AM
4 Comments:
"..no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. You won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country." General George S. Patton
Whether he actually ever said those words, the point is well taken.
Spiider, after all the years of violence and killing, we're not one step closer to resolving the situation. As I've stated b/f, you could kill everyone in Iraq, but it won't solve the problem. U.S. policy must address the issue on another level. If the Iraqis are bound by endless violence, that does not mean the U.S. must be.
Jim. The Iraqis have existed for 6000 years, most of wich have been peaceful. The US has been in wars more than any other modern nation. If the US shifted their focus to NOT making the other bastard die for his country, things would be a hell of a lot better. With all due respect.
Martin,
With all due respect, I accept your comment. I feel that Iraq was the cradle of Western civilization, and I agree with both of your comments. You're probably responding to Gen. Patton's quote that was written by another commenter. Note that I didn't use the statement b/c I believe it is too blunt.
Obviously, in this conflict, we should not be making THEM die at all. In a just war, as far as they go, of course the point is to attrit the enemy.
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