Something I posted on a forum I frequent- It was in regards to some 12 - 22 year olds (yes that wide of an age range) clamoring about the state of America, and how it is all Bush's fault, and how "the light will come this November" (yes, someone actually said that.)
I felt the need to write back, and I just kept writing. It may not be all that well thought out, it may not flow, but hey - neither does my thought process.
When the Obamabots and Bush haters are finished jerking each-other off at the mere thought of November, perhaps a real point or two can see some light.
(oh, and excuse my vulgarity)
The America Vs. Rome is a good point to bring up, but I fear that the two are apples and oranges and cannot truly be compared.
What we need to focus on is very simple, keeping our citizens safe.
September 11th, 2001 saw one of the most brutal attacks on American soil since Pearl Harbor. In an effort to preserve our union and keep our nation safe, many steps have been made (in the right direction) not only to prevent future attacks, but also to punish those responsible.
If you would all please take note of the simple fact that there hasn't been an attack on American soil since 9/11. Obviously something is being done right.
We have thwarted several terror plots since then, and we have kept American citizens safe. Yet "citizens" actually have the gall to criticize the government, and even threaten them with talks of overthrowing and impeachment.
These "citizens" seem to forget that pretty much everything that the current administration does has to be ratified by their beloved democrat controlled Congress. They also seem to forget that Congress also has the power to vote down with a simple or 2/3 majority (I forget which at the current moment, forgive me), any of these issues that they seem to have a problem with.
These are the people who are more concerned with the rights of criminals, terrorists, and people who downright want to destroy us, than they are with keeping America safe.
During the Cold War they would be deported, or arrested. During the late 1700s- early 1800s, they would be tried for treason under the Alien and Sedition Acts.
These are the people who will burn our flag, one of the most sacred symbols of freedom, and embrace a presidential candidate who refuses to wear it, salute it, or pledge allegiance to it.
They hide behind their freedoms, but they see no problem with ripping down the government that protects it. They spit on the soldiers who fight to defend it, and they cry oppression whenever it is remotely taken away.
I bring to the attention of the forum United States Code Title 50, Chapter 3, § 21, which is still in effect to this day.
Whenever there is a declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government, or any invasion or predatory incursion is perpetrated, attempted or threatened against the territory of the United States by any foreign nation or government, and the President makes public proclamation of the event, all natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects of the hostile nation or government, being of the age of fourteen years and upward, who shall be within the United States and not actually naturalized, shall be liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as alien enemies.
0847, September 11th, 2001 this Code should have been enacted to the fullest extent. We should have then began deporting anyone who was here on a Student Visa, anyone who was here illegally and not a citizen, and perhaps even as far as to those who possessed dual citizenship with any hostile nations. At the same time, our borders should have been closed. We should have been completely isolated.
All of those above outlined actions would be 100% legal as per US Code Title 50, Chapter 3, § 21, yet the same people I spoke of earlier would be clamoring and crying out against such an action.
It is for your protection, it is for your freedom, it is because you don't know any better.
I love how the average American citizen (mostly college students) feel like they know more than analysts with actual real world experience (including in times of war), how they feel that they know what is right for the nation, compared to legions of Generals, Analysts, Intelligence Officers, as well as countless other leaders.
Sir Winston Churchill once said that "the best argument against democracy is a 5 minute conversation with the average voter" (slightly paraphrased), and I couldn't agree with that more.
So you all can worry about health care, social security, gay rights, abortion rights, legalization of marijuana, and things of that nature, because when we ultimately meet our demise sometime in the next 4 years because the terrorists and hostile nations of the world exploit that fact and destroy us; it isn't going to matter anyway.
"Unconventional wars are won by unconventional means" and likewise "Unpopular wars are won by unpopular means"
It is unfortunate that some "innocents" may die, but that is the choice that the enemy has made when they chose to hide among them for protection, and use them as cover for their tactics. I hate to be cliche, but in order to make an omelet, you need to break a few eggs. War is hell, there is no denying that.
quote
We need to use their tactics if we want to beat them.
We aren't able to use their tactics here in America. Just look at the backlash from the "torturing" that "occurred" at GITMO. Look at what happened after 'Nam. Our boys came home to be spat on and called baby killers and condemned by the American public. We are not allowed to use their tactics because of the views of the American public, a few million people who for the most part have never seen combat, never had to make a split second decision to save their own life and the lives of those around them, hell probably never even had to defend themselves or their loved ones. And these people unfortunately have the power to dictate how our men and women overseas are to fight the enemy.
It is for that reason that I hold no respect for them. The funny thing about public opinion - if you are opposing it, chances are you doing the right thing. (brings me back to my point about the uneducated American public vs. military and political leaders and analysts)
Unfortunately, those who actually have the power to make decisions are too afraid of the public outcry to make these unpopular decisions and methods.
If our enemy is going to give a 12 year old an AK and tell him to ambush our troops, then our troops should have no qualms about shooting a 12 year old, and the "Starbucks Generals" (as I have dubbed them) should have no right to criticize. When was the last time they put their life on the line defending this nation?
Our enemy will not discriminate based on age, gender, race, religion, etc... neither should we. That is the first step in winning any conflict, that is a step in the direction of using their tactics.
War is not pretty, war is not supposed to be. War is the most primal form of conflict between two beings. Our enemy has only one thing in mind, and that is destroying us at all costs, including their lives, and the lives of innocents (because that is who they are after).
