President Obama last night outlined for Congress and the American public his plan for The War. Obama is a very capable orator. His prepared speeches are well timed, well rehersed, well delivered with weight and eloquence. He commits us to an additional 30,000 troops, and promises to Karzai and the other leaders that there are no more blank checks. Obama indicates that we will begin to stand down in 18 months. His speech was, on the whole, calm, collected, and moderately balanced.
Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realise that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events. Antiquated War Offices, weak, incompetent, or arrogant Commanders, untrustworthy allies, hostile neutrals, malignant Fortune, ugly surprises, awful miscalculations – all take their seats at the Council Board on the morrow of a declaration of war. Always remember, however sure you are that you could easily win, that there would not be a war if the other man did not think he also had a chance.
These are the words of Winston Churchill, and are nearly prescient – 1930 speaking directly to today.
There are times for moderation, but time of war calls for something more definitive. Fights are not won from the aprons of the ring. Decisions do not come from the fence. The only thing long in the middle of the road is a yellow line or a dead animal.
If it is in our national interest to put the Taliban and al-Qaida to bed – and I believe it is – then there is no place here for half measures. If we’re in this, we should be in this. We show up to kick ass, and the only timetable is “we go home when the last ass is kicked.” If 30,000 additional forces are warranted, send 300,000. Bring the noise, get the job done, and then go home – or just plain go home. In or out. Decisive action.
We are not war-like people, and should not behave as such unless it is necessary. We should strive to win hearts and minds, but must not balk at taking scalps and viscera. The targets are always the same, it is only the manner that changes, the tone set by the other side of the table.
Obama delivered a moderate speech to the middle of the room, and politely asked that we stick with him just a bit longer while we play to a draw. That is unfortunate. If you wish to elicit passion, you must deliver passion. The American people will follow into the very flames of Hell, with cheers and fervor, if we are playing to win.
I to back to Churchill: “[W]e shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.”
Politics, philosophy
afghanistan, pakistan, war