If I must choose between righteousness and peace, then I choose righteousness.” – Theodore Roosevelt
America’s strategy on the War on Terror. Military strategists now have the theory that Iran is aiding and a bedding Iraqi insurgents throughout Sunni occupied territory in its provinces. Their reasoning, Iran’s geographic location coupled with the prospect that Iran’s nuclear capability is also on the rise and suspected talks between the gateway country (Iran is - to some in military circles- considered an entryway for Iraqi insurgents by allegedly allowing them passage into Afghanistan thorough Taliban sympathetic, Sunni occupied territories ) and North Korea. They also believe that a military withdrawal out of the region now will embolden terrorist because at that point Afghanistan will be 2 – 0 versus Superpowers (The Former USSR being the first and The United States of America tentatively being the second). Therefore these are the reasons “ the suits” in Washington have apparently have no strategy for withdrawing our troops from the war torn region anytime in the near future.
This most recent war on terror is pretty much forcing our military to adapt “new” tactics.
Carl Von Clausewitz said it best:
“ Never engage the same enemy for too long because he will inevitably adapt to your tactics.”
This is one of the several reasons why the U.S. is constantly having to change up the methods they use to pursue and combat insurgents. The only problem with this mode of thinking in my opinion is that the U.S. – for the most part - is adhering to age-old combat techniques and the antiquated articles of the Geneva Convention while the enemy submits to an entirely different authority. Combating full scale Guerilla Warfare has never been the U.S. Military’s strong suit (the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam as well as the current conflict in Iraq and now Afghanistan lay testament to that). Not to mention the issue of poor planning and Intel, questionable levels of troop armament and protection, and the “win at all cost” mentality of policymakers in Washington (Safe here at home in their air-conditioned luxuriously furnished offices) some of whom have never nor will ever see combat. There are some individuals that believe that any victory is a good victory regardless of the costs. Their perception is that the loss involved with obtaining the victory is worth it and this perception is their reality. To even justify their position they have began to coin the phrase “Perception is Reality.” Experience has taught me that loss appears more acceptable to those that feel as though the have nothing to lose. However, I do not subscribe to this school of thought. Reality is reality. I personally subscribe to the “it is what it is and that is all that it is” school of thought. I think that is up the street and around the corner from the school of hard knocks (two schools that I feel we must all attend in order to obtain the core characteristics one needs to be sympathetic or apathetic).
Now don’t misconstrue my opinions as being unpatriotic or unsympathetic to the plight our great nation finds itself in. I honor our troops sacrifices regularly. They have a level of courage that is indescribable. I once heard that being fearless comes from being absolutely terrified but willing yourself to that next step in spite of your fear. Our troops do that every single day. Their courage and fearlessness inspires me to do what others say I can’t do, my spirituality not withstanding.
Perception is not reality. If you were to watch the news day in and day out, the media would have you to believe that there is a drive by on every corner and we are winning the war on terror. The war on terror is not only fought on the battlefields of some country a world away. The war on terror is being fought in the hearts and minds of the families and friends that have to live daily with the prospect that someone they truly love may not return to them the same person they were when they left or if they will even return at all. The war on terror is also fought in the hearts and minds of those that lost love ones in not just the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center but also in the hearts in mind of every single solitary person that witnessed that horrific display of hatred manifested. Our lives were forever changed by the events of this tragic day. However, the world witnessed firsthand America’s resilience. Thousands began to enlist into the U.S. Armed Services to join in the war on terror. Seven years later, we have yet to bring the “orchestrator” of one of the most horrific attacks in U. S. History to justice. Justice……… that is a word I am losing more and more faith in every day, especially as of recent. Today’s form of Justice appears to have a price tag. One that the average man or woman unfortunately can’t afford. Not to mention that it appears that our government has no interest in what we – the common people’s - opinions are anymore. However, Washington’s disinterest with the voice of the very people that enabled them to have their plush comfy offices and their multimillion-dollar campaigns began way before there was ever a shot fired in Iraq but I’ll just concentrate on more current developments for now. For example, there is evidence that we could have captured Saddam Hussein during the U.S.’s first occupation of Iraq. Yet we withdrew the troops as they were mere miles away from the Iraqi dictator for reasons unknown. The implementation of the Stop-Loss and Forward Operating Point Initiatives in both Iraq and Afghanistan respectively, and the continuous rise of the prices at the pump. All the while our elected officials make these grandiose speeches and as awe inspiring as they may be still leave the American public very skeptical as to the level their sincerity.
Yet these are the very people that subscribe to the “Perception is Reality” principle. Policymakers never truly feel the impact of the decisions that they make. They never have to endure combat. They never have to worry about deciding whether they are going to put Gas in their cars or food on their tables. They never have to worry about caring for the wounded (both physically and mentally) upon their return from defending their country’s freedoms abroad. Healthcare? Please…. don’t get me started. That’s a whole ‘nother blog in and of itself. Their perception is that the enduring spirit of the American People will see them through whatever challenges may arise. Now that is very idealistic but not all that realistic. Patriotism does not pay the bills, put food on the table, pay hospital bills, college tuition, or put gas in the tank. Money does. The perception that implementing an economic stimulus package would make everything all right in the world while idealistic was a band-aid policy at best. I’m actually still waiting to see some personal effect from the Stimulus Package. I guess if I was a Wall Street broker or a Fortune 500 CEO my pockets would be straight. It seems that Wall Street most definitely got hooked up while the average “Joe” or “Jane” on Main Street is still waiting for their piece of the pie. What we truly need is the eradication of politics as usual. What we need now are leaders that understand the meaning of integrity. What we need now is leadership that understands what it means to accept responsibility for their actions. We need leaders who will take ownership for past mistakes and press on to honestly correcting them. We need leaders who understand the meaning of accountability and responsibility. I came up old school. I came up on the tail end of a period where a person’s word was their bond. A period in which a person keeping their word counted for something and when respect was truly earned and not freely given.
Perception seems to be some people’s reality. Well, it’s definitely not my reality and if you have any type of common sense and spiritual discernment… it’s not your reality either.
