Through the Misty Dawn - Editorial

Politics & War

The past few days have been enlightening and educational. The President's State of the Union address was a good reminder of domestic issues at home. Congressional Hearings seen on TV were extremely interesting and informative. It is most probable we will have a new General heading for command in Iraq.

While watching CSPAN this morning I was pleasantly surprised at the logic expressed by the Democratic opposition. The Hearings concerning the new appointment were comprehensive and educational. The opposition simply does not like the mounting losses being suffered in Iraq. Neither do I.

I came away from my edifying moments thinking about our puzzling dilemma. Of one thing I was absolutely certain. Politics in Iraq is for Iraqi diplomats and statesmen. A General must be concerned with prosecuting the War.

A further certainty was an absolute "uncertainty".  I asked myself, "Can we be sure the civil strife in Iraq is really "civil"? Do we really know the motivation of terrorists in Iraq? Is it really sectarian violence? My conclusion was that these questions must be central to our decision making. I further concluded that our Military should NOT be involved in the politics of Iraq. Plainly the multitude of attacks are aimed at our soldiers regardless of sectarian conflict. Quite possibly the chaos is for the purpose of discouraging our presence in Iraq. Democrats should consider well this possibility. War has its very unfortunate consequences for civilians, all of which is a part of the ugly process. Terrorism is obviously a persuasive force and in Iraq the enemy has obviously been effective.

The primary reason we have such a stake in achieving victory in Iraq is no different than our goals in both WW I and WW II. A retreat encourages futures acts of terrorism  around the world.  Following our victory over the Axis powers in WW II, 55 years passed before another attack on the Allied powers, namely 9/11.

Digressing briefly allow me to tell of the plaque I saw in a church during my visit to London (UK). It told of the terrible fact that during WW I over 1,000,000 British lost their lives on the European continent during that war. During WW II,  I am led to believe that nearly 20,000,000 Russians lost their lives during the Nazi invasion. These numbers are staggering. The point is that terrorism, tyranny, and insurgents around the world can wreak havoc, death and destruction at will unless we learn how to combat their forces.

Therefore my conclusion is that (1) Iraq is a vitally important battle ground. (2) We dare not allow the enemy a victory because it will lead to new violence in other countries around the world; a matter obviously evident at this time. (3) We dare not let domestic politics in the United States deter us from the greater cause, the centuries long and historic march toward the Cause of Freedom. (4) We dare not let our purpose be dissuaded by the failures of Iraqi diplomatic and political efforts.

Therefore my ultimate conclusion is that (5) we must let the Generals deal with the enemy far more than politics in a chaos  ridden country. (6) Political solutions may fail if the insurgents have a different motive and agenda than we perceive. And, finally I believe (7) we will require far more technological (surveillance) equipment and personnel than additional troops on the ground in Iraq. While the violence continues, (8) Iraq needs (as simplistic as it sounds) ballard reinforced concrete highway dividers on the sidewalks of Baghdad to protect civilians from the devastation of suicide bombers.

(9) Let the diplomatic efforts continue in Iraq while allowing the Generals to prosecute the war.

Richard

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