To Commit Or Not To Commit Troops, Really
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JoeUser Forums
When I went into the service — ancient history now — it was to do a job, hopefully live through it and come back home. Many felt the same but tragically were left enshrined in rows of crosses and stars on Pacific islands. No such honor was given to the countless sailors in watery graves, yet they gave their lives knowing there was honorable purpose. There would have been greater but honorable tragedy had the war not ended abruptly by the advent of the atomic bomb. Mixed with joy, I felt guilty that it had not been discovered in time to end the bloodshed in Europe, saving even more lives. By lives we meant the Allied military. That more civilians would be sacrificed meant little to us — there was a job to do.
However callous this sounds, the reality of war dredges the dark side short of resorting to the atom or chemicals. Once committed to Iraq, there was a job to do, collateral damage notwithstanding. Once realized there were no rose petals strewn at the feet of our troops, it was time to be deadlier, regardless of the right or wrong of our initiative. Crushing the enemy is what war is all about. Insurgents know this. We have forgotten how to engage in all-out war since Korea, and if not, we have forgotten how to commit honestly to war and to the true support of our troops.
I’ll say it for the last time: either we pull out or unleash total war.
Copyright © 2005 Richard R. Kennedy All rights reserved. Revised: November 21, 2005.
