by Bill's Spirit
Member since:
March 3, 2006

Stop Pointing Your Grubby Fingers At The Military

June 14, 2007 03:01 PM EDT
views: 102 | comments: 30

In a recent article posted to Gather, someone ended a comment with the following:

"..Its evident from what we have seen in Iraq we are not very good at fighting small wars."

I totally disagree!

Neither the current "Iraq War" nor the War On Terror (WOT?) are the kinds of wars that the United States Armed Forces are supposed to handle. The bulk of American forces are not trained to hunt down terrorists; or police civil unrest. They are trained to fight against other armies and some are trained to provide help during national disasters.

Our Troops accomplished the only real "military" goal of the past six years; invading a country and deposing the leader. Policing the aftermath of civil unrest is not a military objective; nor should it be one for our constitutionally established Armed Forces, whose goal is to protect, defend and fight for the citizens, lands and interests of this great country.

As for fighting terrorism, the teachings of military masters say that you cannot effectively fight small guerilla bands with masses of troops and weaponry. You can only fight them successfully with accurate intelligence, effective safeguards and small well coordinated strike teams. It's like a cancer, you fight it at it's site; surgically.

The Departments of National Security, Central Intelligence and Homeland Security are the arms of the government who should be best at protecting and battling against terrorists and the terrorist's tactics.

I don't know which arm of the government should oversee the policing of another country's civil unrest. In the most recent years, we've generally let such duties fall on UN forces; (whom we support?).

None of the labeled "failures" in Iraq, or those in our struggle against terrorists, are the fault of our military, or our troops. Castigating our Armed Forces and those serving in them, over any failures in the grand scheme of all this, is like cursing a hammer for being a poor flashlight.

You should always use the right tool for the right job.

--

14 June 2007 - Bill's Spirit

--

Bill's Spirit is an Artist, Writer, Poet, Philosopher currently wordsmithing from a humble studio in small town Ohio.

The works of the man behind Bill's Spirit have been published in small alternative and amateur presses since 1986. Before that, they just filled notebooks, took up space on walls and gathered dust in piles and boxes.

--
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Comments: 30

Ann Weaver Hart Jun 14, 2007, 3:15pm EDT
Which proves, once again, that at the White House, the lights are on, but nobody is home!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Jun 14, 2007, 3:24pm EDT
thank you for your article, its about time someone stood up for our military around here...(from an army brat).
Stacey "Yeah, I Said It" H. Jun 14, 2007, 3:26pm EDT
From a former active duty Marine's wife, OOOOOOH-RAAAAHHH!
Peter Joseph Swanson Jun 14, 2007, 3:31pm EDT
I love your icon - SO pretty. So cool!

I think military involvement from any side only forces extremes. Iraq has far fewer moderates living there now. The U.S.'s military campaigns against Communism only encouraged Communists and now we're encouraging Terrorists. It just helps push things to extremes. The military doesn't cause problems but it sure adds fuel to the fire!

I think something better needs to be figured out. How many wars are we going to have to fight to mop up the messes of the past wars.
Bill's Spirit Jun 14, 2007, 3:55pm EDT
Peter Joseph Swanson - I take your point, but, again, it's not the soldiers' fault that things are the way they are, nor can they do much to change anything. The current mess and its resolutions are up to the policy makers. The troops follow orders.

Glad you like the new icon. "Pretty" wasn't exactly what I was going for, but "Cool" was. Thanks.
Peter Joseph Swanson Jun 14, 2007, 4:21pm EDT
I feel VERY sorry for our troops. I think in this war, left and right, Conservative and Democrat, we are ALL behind the troops. We want them to have helmets! We want them to stay alive so they can come home and maybe someday we can pretend it never happened. (fat chance, but alas ). They won't come home until Republicans and Democrats BOTH can do it in a way that makes us look like we won - we always have to win. It would be too politically awkward, otherwise. So in the meantime we offer up our young like in the Charge of the Light Brigade - hoping that what is happening isn't happening - and we'll find blame much later.
Doyle ( IS SOOO 7 for 7 soon... ) C. Jun 14, 2007, 4:28pm EDT
The only remaining way to support these troops is to call for their withdrawal.

Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
Carolion Grailbear Jun 14, 2007, 4:33pm EDT
Ah, Bill. Sigh. The original USA fighting forces were a band of rebels often using guerilla tactics against the Redcoats of King George. Hmmm. What is it about this band of rebel freedom fighters against the giant standing army thing that we still don't get?

Good Call, Bill.
Christine Zibas Jun 14, 2007, 4:37pm EDT
Anyone who has read the book "Cobra II" which documents the military planning that went into the invasion of Iraq will know that the military repeatedly tried to persuade the Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, as well as President Bush, that the administration was approaching the situation incorrectly in its planning. Rumsfeld "knew better" and as a result, we have the mess and civil strife in Iraq today. The biggest point to all this is that the Bush administration should have just furlowed the planning and intelligence communities, because no one was listening to their advise. Not Condie, not Donald, and not W.
Ron (in complete sheeple overload) W. Jun 14, 2007, 4:48pm EDT
I think I saw that comment, and didn't draw the conclusion he was dissing the soldiers, or the military, but the politicians, though I suppose it was open to interpretation..
Stan H. Jun 14, 2007, 6:20pm EDT
Thank you for defending our Armed Forces. As a prior veteran, it makes me smile to hear folks out there grace our military/not disgrace it.
As fat as Irag, it is simple a religious war. The Kharan states that a certain sect of people hate the Americans, amongst other nationalities, and are to kill them whenever possible. If we USA, wont step in-who will.
Have a great day!!!!!
I never thought I would agree with a post about this war... but you are 100% right... the analogy about the flash light as a hammer is perfect.
Charles M. Jun 14, 2007, 6:37pm EDT
Happy 232nd Birthday to the US ARMY!
Dave A. Jun 14, 2007, 10:55pm EDT
"the grand scheme" - that would be administration policy, as others have mentioned, that has failed.

I was appalled at the treatment of Vietnam veterans, and I am currently appalled at the very poor medical care and nit-picking over benefits of Iraq/Afghanistan veterans.

Dick Cheney should be held accountable for the deaths of over 3,500 US troops. I agree with Geoffrey, drag Feith, Wolfowitz, Bolton, and Rumsfeld in with him. And King George as Bumbler-in-Chief.
I also agree with you. as for your points just make new connections. it 's just that it is summer and alot of us aren't here but a few of us are. I try to read all my connection stuff but it's hard to get threw 400 emails a day. I do my best.
arlene (no shame in my game) w. Jun 15, 2007, 8:53am EDT
Hey! My fingers aren't grubby! I washed my hands!
Vicky P. Jun 15, 2007, 10:39am EDT
You said it, and very well indeed. Maybe the Military needs to hire some Mercenaries.
Peter Joseph Swanson Jun 15, 2007, 11:02am EDT
Maybe our military needs to defend America (these days it seems the only thing we need defended against is natural disasters - and that's a big deal). Otherwise we are just adding fuel to the flames over there. 9/11 should have been dealt with in an FBI, CIA, police action sort of way so we target ONLY the bad guys and groups without pushing entire nations and populations into violent extremism (war does that).

The best thing our military can do to win hearts and minds in the world is to just show up after they've had a natural disaster.

Just my opinion.
Bill's Spirit Jun 15, 2007, 11:55am EDT
Thanks to everyone for their comments.

(especially arlene, who washed her hands :-)
Bill's Spirit Jun 15, 2007, 11:56am EDT
Vicky - It's my understanding that we already have a contingent of private mercenary forces in Iraq. They get paid ten times what our soldiers get paid and do not answer to the congressional powers or the American people; only to their bosses.

Peter Joseph Swanson - I couldn't agree more!
Vicky P. Jun 15, 2007, 12:00pm EDT
I did not know that. Too bad the military can't or won't take lessons from them. Thanks for the heads up.
James s F. Jun 16, 2007, 1:16am EDT
Thank you Bill! I am a civie, but my eldest is in the call up for Iraq.

also, on a side note look at this: ...Before that, they just filled notebooks, took up space on walls and gathered dust in piles and boxes.... Bill!!!! you knew gather was coming!
Peter Edgerton Jun 16, 2007, 9:27am EDT
Perhaps; being a Pacifist, I do not support military action in any form, by any country. However, from your perspective, what you say is appropriate - BUT, I DO blame the military (inclusive of the Veteran's Administration) for the absolute lack of proper support and care for returning Vets, especially those with mental health issues. I work with veterans as a vocational counselor, and what I have witnessed over the years is absolutely atrocious. Delays in benefits, delays in care, lost files, denied coverages, to cite a few. My closest friend, a Vietnam Vet, inexcusably died recently directly because he was denied coverage for illnesses related to exposure to Agent Orange. I will never forgive the military THAT.
Jennifer K. Jun 16, 2007, 8:38pm EDT
the us needs to work more effectively with the UN and yes removing them surgically is the key!
James A. Jul 22, 2007, 3:50pm EDT
Regardless of the military's capabilities, if there's no coherent plan (or any plan, for that matter), futility will follow. Any initial success due to superior firepower will collapse for lack of planning.
Donna M. Aug 2, 2007, 12:16am EDT
Your point was well made and I can not disagree with anything you have said....the only thing I would like to say, is I do not believe there is one intelligent person in these United States that would not defend and stand up for our military. They are a unique group of trained individuals that are doing their job the best they can with the little they have to do it...personally I am surprised that there has not been a mutiny against this administration ... there are those I know who are warriors and will always have that mind set - but most soldiers signed up to defend democracy...NOT occupy a country that was already divided into at least 2 different tribes and civil unrest was a way of life in that part of the country....

I also want to applaud Peter for reminding the American public, of the delays and denied coverages and the mess that agent Orange left...unattended ...We need to demand the attention and support from our leaders that they pronounce in their speeches to give....!
Marie J. R. Feb 17, 2008, 9:19pm EST
wonderful article,,,Bless you,,, found you on my Gather page,,, nice knowing you,,,

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