Yesterday, I went off on about how certain members of our government seem to have no incentive for us to win over here—in fact, they seem determined for us to fail. Of the 14 troops lost, one was from my brigade, so hearing Lou Dobbs cheerfully announce the latest casualties, it bothered me more than usual.
These statements also have a lasting impact on our enemies as well.
Taking a lesson from history; one of the most trying times in America’s history was the winter on 1777-1778. That was when Washington’s army spent the winter at Valley Forge. Out of his army of 12,000 men, over 2,000 died from disease and starvation. Desertion was a constant threat. Those were dire times. How do you think their morale would have fared if they saw a British newspaper account stating:
“Parliament declares King George III’s America policy a failure and demands immediate troop withdrawal from the colonies”.
While a story like that wouldn’t put food in their bellies or help fight off pneumonia, it would help motivate Washington’s men to hang on a little bit longer. It is amazing how a little hope can help men endure the most difficult of times.
Life ain’t easy for an insurgent. They are fighting the world most advanced military. The Iraqi Security Forces are increasing their capabilities every day. We have CSI guys over here that are way smarter than any of those guys on TV—we are talking scary smart. Just recently, tribal leaders out in the Al Anbar province have taken up arms against Al Queda. Life sucks for them. In 2004 the late Al Zarqawi complained to his buddy Osama that their situation was becoming ever more desperate.
Now take the statements such as “the war is lost” and America’s involvement in Iraq is a “grotesque mistake”. What effect would those words have on an insurgent? I would imagine they would be pretty encouraging and would help them carry on the jihad for another day.
To me, it sounds like aid and comfort. But what do I know? I just live here.
2 comments:
man, the raw courage of you men and women over there is something the pols and talking heads back here can only imagine. Heck, I can only imagine.
Stay strong, there are many more of us here who are eternally grateful for your sacrifice. It seems to be time for the silent majority to rise up
Sen. Kennedy has no intention, of course, to give aid and comfort to the enemy.
The problem is, he thinks the enemy is President Bush, not Al-Queda.
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