I watched my Commander In Chief address the nation Wednesday evening and immediately felt like commenting, however, before I had time enough to put pen to paper (read peck out a blog post) the pundits started swarming, so I thought to pause and listen, digest, and ponder.
Having heard much of what the political pundits had to say, read the transcripts of the President’s speech, and witnessed some embarrassing harassment of our Secretaries and Chiefs by esteemed Congressmen and women on Capitol Hill, I think I’m ready to add my two cents.
First of all, I find it unfortunate and somewhat distasteful that the American President has to explain himself, but that is how it is in our society today, and has been in recent years I suppose, so I’ll get over it (maybe). However, I like the plan. I think it is strategically and tactically sound. I was impressed that President Bush admitted mistakes were made and took responsibility for them. I was equally impressed that he didn’t throw up his arms and quit, rather he took into account the suggestions of the Baker/Hamilton Iraq Study Group, consulted Congress, listened to what his Generals had to say, and took time to think before proposing a plan. A plan that not only addresses U.S. military strategies, but also calls on Iraqi military commitments and strategic maneuvers to be made in regards to the Iraqi economy (specifically oil proceeds), the Iraqi political structure, the reconstruction of infrastructure efforts, and puts on notice those who continue to undermine Iraq’s future (specifically Syria and Iran). And oh by the way, his motivation is based solely on achieving victory in Iraq thereby contributing to winning the Global War on Terror and not on getting re-elected.
Admittedly, we’ve heard some of the aforementioned strategies before, but if you really listened to, or read closely the transcripts of the President’s speech, you will find that the proposed multi-dimensional assault plan is meticulously synchronized and places a heavy burden on the Iraqis themselves to step up to the plate. It is pretty clear that this notion of “surging” as I hear it being called is not a haphazard one developed among a few staffers in the White House. The plan is a comprehensive one that offers a solution by addressing many areas and on several levels. The increase in troop levels is just one part of that plan.
We’ve had some tremendous successes throughout Iraq when U.S. forces moved into an area and aggressively defeated insurgents, trained the Iraqi military, established relations with local governments, helped to rebuild infrastructures (schools, water, electricity, etc.), and remained in said area providing back-up after turning the mission over to Iraqi military/police units. The infusion of an additional four U.S. brigades and two Iraqi divisions into Baghdad will accomplish just that. Our forces will be fighting right alongside the Iraqis and bringing stability to Baghdad, sector by sector, ultimately setting the stage whereby the elected Iraqi government will be able to govern.
I say again, I like the plan, but I understand that there are those who oppose it. Fair enough, but what I cannot come to grip with are those who only a few months ago called for more troops in Iraq during their campaign speeches, and now that they’ve been elected have changed their tune, criticizing the proposal for increasing troop levels. It wasn’t all that long ago that President Bush, our Commander In Chief, was hammered for “staying the course,” and now that he’s chosen a new course…. Oh, and threatening to stop funding the war and our military is not only an embarrassment to the nation, but devastating to troop morale. It took a very long time to rebuild our military after the last time that happened.
Let’s not forget that we are at war with an enemy hell bent on killing us, all of us. We lost more than 500,000 brave Americans fighting evil during World War II, a war that had we lost would have drastically changed the world. We owe that greatest generation for their sacrifices made to liberate others, and defend our freedoms, ensuring a way of life that we’ve enjoyed ever since. It concerns me that today there are those who are not allowing our greatest generation to repay that debt, again liberating others and preserving our way of life. Losing today will change the world beyond our imaginations and the imaginations of those who fought before us.
Shame on each and everyone of us if we allow our Soldiers and Marines to come home without achieving victory. Sgt Hook out.
Posted by Hook @ 0511 zulu | | Permalink
This post is filed under: GWOT & Know thy Enemy & Soap Box
