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Sen Lieberman on Iraq: Let's Fight to Win
By Lt Col P
A truly outstanding op-ed by Sen Liberman (Ind., CT) in today's WaPo-- "Why We Need More Troops in Iraq." He correctly identifies that victory in Iraq is vital to our national interests, and properly places the campaign there in the context of the Long War. "While we are naturally focused on Iraq, a larger war is emerging. On one side are extremists and terrorists led and sponsored by Iran, on the other moderates and democrats supported by the United States. Iraq is the most deadly battlefield on which that conflict is being fought. How we end the struggle there will affect not only the region but the worldwide war against the extremists who attacked us on Sept. 11, 2001."
There are a few points I take issue with, but on the whole it says much of what needs to be said, and it comes at a particularly critical moment in our history, as we change parties in Congress. It talks of victory, and of the need for courage and steadfastness.
I leave you with this, which needs to be echoed and trumpeted throughout the country and especially in DC, "In Iraq today we have a responsibility to do what is strategically and morally right for our nation over the long term -- not what appears easier in the short term. The daily scenes of death and destruction are heartbreaking and infuriating. But there is no better strategic and moral alternative for America than standing with the moderate Iraqis until the country is stable and they can take over their security. Rather than engaging in hand-wringing, carping or calls for withdrawal, we must summon the vision, will and courage to take the difficult and decisive steps needed for success and, yes, victory in Iraq. That will greatly advance the cause of moderation and freedom throughout the Middle East and protect our security at home."
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Comments
You know, I think it goes beyond Iraq. We need to reinstitute Reagan-era defense spending.
We're fighting two wars as part of a large war on terror. It's time we start acting like it.
"Paging Joe Biden. Joe Biden. You have a clue waiting...."
"Paging John Edwards. John Edwards....."
they can't AZ. Getting elected it more important to those guys than winning the war. Cryin' ass shame, but it's the truth.
John, I agree with the need for an increase in spending. What I'm afraid of is that it will result in a bunch of glitzy and very expensive toys instead of more troops and training (which is what we REALLY need). F-22's and submarines will NOT win the war on terror.
I have just finished Hammes' "The Sling and the Stone". He makes a very effective argument against the current structure and personnel system. There are some very fundamental (therefore difficult) changes that need to be made in the American military. We have too many generals... too many bloated staffs... too many officers that spend more time making power-point slides than leading troops and getting in the field. Hammes (a retired Marine colonel) points out that an average officer spends maybe a fourth to a third of his career actually commanding troops.
More money yes... but not more of the same high-tech shit that won the Cold War... this is a far different fight.
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Senator Lieberman is correct in supporting an escalation/surge/offensive. In addition, I beleive he is correct about a wider war being waged. It is up to us as a nation to decide if we are prepared to engage in a conflict of this size, knowing that the outcome will eventually bring about the stability so long sought after in the middle east. The crusades failed because the Christians quit fighting.