November 10, 2008
Happy 233rd Birthday, Marines!
he Marine Corps has much to be proud of today. Let's remember those who have fallen and be grateful that so many of us do not know what it is like to live in a country without their protection of and commitment to America.
Posted by witnit at 9:26 AM | Comments (0)
June 4, 2007
Commander in Chief?
ere's my problem with George Bush as Commander in Chief: He is acting like he doesn't want to be a target.
This goes back to Ronald Reagan's Executive Order banning the targeting and/or assassination of heads of states. What a self-serving document (and I think Reagan was one of our top 5 presidents.)
It seems to me that if you claim the title of Commander in Chief and you send troops into war, you must take full responsibility for that and claim to be a legitimate target of the opposition. Likewise, if you go into war, as Commander in Chief you have a responsibility to target THEIR commander in chief. You have a duty to go after the source of the evil you claim to be combatting. And these days, a President should only send troops to war in an effort to battle evil on the march, as well as declare clear objectives so that the people supporting the effort know what the definition of success is.
And make it clear who the real targets are.
Reagan had a clear definition of success in his Cold War. "We win, they lose." This was thought simplistic, and yet it determined his actions resulting in the collapse of the Soviet Union. But even Reagan failed the Marines in Lebanon. Because he was unwilling to engage the sources of evil.
George Bush has failed as Commander in Chief and in setting clear measures of success. Because he is hiding behind the Executive Order that Reagan signed, he is unwilling to go after one of the major sources of the evil he claims to be combatting: the leaders in Iran.
They should be the legitimate targets. But since George Bush refuses to take on the responsibility of being a target, he fails to target the real sources of Global Jihadism.
And therefore, we are unlikely to accomplish any of our heretofore vague goals.
Either go to war and own it, or don't go at all. Either define success in clear and unambiguous terms, or don't even bother to start. Unleash hell, or stay at home. No more pussyfooting around.
Our American military deserve that, at least.
Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.
Posted by witnit at 9:57 AM | Comments (4)
July 27, 2006
The Central Fact of Our Lives
woke up this morning, drank some water, took a shower, and dressed, all while my wife slept peacefully, and not once did any kind of fear enter my mind.
I walked outside of my house, got into my car, and drove down the street, and not a single person tried to kill, maim, or kidnap me. I saw no military vehicles patrolling the streets. Sometimes I go days, weeks, months without seeing any military vehicles, and when I do, I rarely see tanks or any vehicle carrying weapons.
I can drive miles and miles and miles and not see a single bombed-out building, or en empty lot full of rubble from a rocket attack.
I rarely see anyone carrying a gun, and when I do, invariably I do not perceive them as a threat to me. I can go to the grocery store and purchase an endless variety of foods. I can go to a mall and buy an endless variety of clothing, electronics, and other luxuries.
I do not have to labor to find my own food. I do not have to hunt and gather, or plow, plant, fertilze, and harvest.
I can go to coffee shops, resturants, nightspots, and get on buses without thinking that a bomb might go off.
I can travel to different neighborhoods with only occasional concern of ethnic rivalries, but nothing like a hotbed of hatred that goes back over 1000 years.
I can move freely without military checkpoints. I can cross internal borders without being stopped. I can look to the countries to the north and south of mine without concern of seeing troops massing on the morder for an invasion. Or launching rockets.
Unlike most of the people on this planet, I experience an unprecedented amount of freedom.
Why?
Because of American ideals and the American military that defends those ideals. Because of the men and women of the American military from the America Revolution through the present day who have committed themselves to those ideals and that defense. Every breath of air and drink of water and walk to the park and drive to work and relaxation in front of my plasma TV and listening to my iPod--everything that I can do every day without fear is because of the American military and their professionalism. Because of their constant vigil to keep the barbarians and slaughterers and anti-civilization haters away from our neighborhoods.
Thank you, every man, woman, parent, and child associated with the American military. Everyone associated with the Marines, the Air Force, the Navy, the Army, the Special Forces, and all the other contractors who support our armed forces. Thank you for your dedication and sacrifice and willingness to put up with the incredible ignorance and rudeness of so many of the civilians who owe more than they know to you.
Your dedication, sacrifice, and willingness is the central fact of our lives. And you deserve our total gratitude.
Thank you.
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Inspired by a short essay by Ben Stein.
Posted by witnit at 9:44 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack
