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War
In my family, we have always served in the military. Before we had a
country one of us commanded the Virginia Militia. In the revolution, it
was the 6th Maryland Continental Line, the 14th Virginia Continental Line,
the 4th South Carolina Continental Line. In the Civil War it was the US
14th Kentucky, and the US 8th Illinois. In WWII it was the 71st Infantry.
During the Vietnam Era, it was the 842 QMCo USAR. Now it is the 39th
Combat Engineers (step son). My feelings are both family tradition and
based in my own experience.
We can argue all you want about the legality and necessity of the War in
Iraq. Personally, I believe that the Constitution requires a declaration
of war for the President to commit out troops on anything but an emergency
basis, and by that I mean a period long enough for the congress to convene
and decide what to do. The Congress refused to do its duty to declare war,
and the President acted extra legally. But in the end, that is crying over
spilled milk.
The real Issue is when do we commit our troops to harms way?
I say that our troops should not be used as political police men.
I refer you to a study by the Cato Institute called the American Way of
War. Our military is designed to destroy other military organizations.
That is what it does and it is superb at its task. Trying to use it for
other tasks is a lot like trying to saddle and ride a dairy cow. It can be
done, but it is inefficient, and just a bit crazy, to do so.
Many folks think that the lesson of World War Two compels us to be the
policeman for the world. I say that is a hopeless task. I say that the
lesson of World War Two is that a clear, strong foreign policy against
aggression backed up by a competent military prevents war.
I say that propping up military regimes around the world (read Local Thug
of the Day) may make beltway politicians happy, but I can not see how it
helps spread freedom, and I think it is the spread of freedom that makes
us safe. I think I would rather have our troops home, and spend our money
here.
Even worse, these policies have resulted in the misuse of American
patriots the National Guard and the Reserves. I say that our guard and
reserves volunteered to protect the country in time of real need. They did
not volunteer to give up their lives because some beltway politician
wanted to engage in military adventurism. Sending them to war when the
nation is not in immediate danger is a breach of our sacred agreements
with them. I think that it is immoral to misuse them in this way.
Our military should be liberators, not conquerors. We have no business
rebuilding nations in our own image. We should not occupy other countries.
When we do so, we tarnish our reputations, and demean our flag
We all saw George Bush stand on that aircraft carrier and say MISSION
ACCOMPLISHED. I say he was right! The mission was accomplished. We need to
bring our troops home as soon as possible. |
