A Decisive Moment
The situation in northern Israel/Lebanon is increasingly serious, with a real possibility that Israel might have to invade the Syrian proxy. The attacks by Hizbollah (which was supposed to disband after Israel ceded the disputed territories to extract that promise) has seen the terrorist organization firing missiles at Israel`s larger population centers (Bebe Netanyaho, speaking on the Shawn Hannity radio show, asked how America would respond if Canada began shelling Chicago). From Israel`s standpoint, there doesn`t seem to be many options left; they cannot accept another faux negotiated peace. How many times must Israel shake hands and accept pronouncements of friendship while Hizbollah and Hamas (with the full complicity of the Lebanese and Syrian governments) plot their next attacks? The time has come to end this, once and for all.
For a terrific birds-eye-view of what is going on, go to One Jerusalem.
I had hoped when the United States invaded Iraq that our troops would have invaded via the Mediterranean-straight through Syria. Syria and Iran are the big troublemakers in the region, and the ``insurgency`` in Iraq is housed, fed, and fueled by the Syrians. That is the keystone to peace-take out the Syrians, and everything falls into line.
Iran is the other source of trouble in the region, but without Syria they would have no base of operation against Israel, and there would be enormous pressure on them since Iraq will be far more stable. Furthermore, if Iran decides to act rashly we will be justified in knocking out their nuclear program before they can start rolling those shiny uranium spheres off the production line. We are going to have to act against them at some point, why not now?
This current battle is one Israel must win; and I wouldn`t shed a tear if their military rolled straight through Lebanon. Although U.S. forces are stretched pretty thin, I still believe we could muster enough troops to occupy Lebanon if we had to, and we could take over for the Israeli military-putting Syria in a pincher move. We could pull troops out of Germany, out of France, out of the Balkans (isn`t it time Europe took care of their own mess.) I don`t like it, but if we have to reinstitute the draft, let`s do it! We did it to fight Hitler, why is this any less important? I`ve got an idea; since Bush is so gung-ho on giving amnesty to illegal Mexicans, why don`t we make such an offer contingent upon military service? That way we can enculturate them, give them a stake in our society, and help in our fight for survival. The U.S. Government must have SOME contingency plan in place to fight this war. I don`t for a moment believe that we are powerless to act. This is going to have to be done at some point, so it may as well happen now. Let`s roll!
President George W. Bush declared war on terrorists with international reach and their sponsors. If he meant that, he should back Israel to the hilt at this time. We have given up the initiative in the War, and the current crisis in Israel has given us the means to retake it. I`ve always argued that sitting in Iraq and awaiting events is a sure path to defeat-victory comes to the aggressor in modern warfare. Everything is coming to a head now. Perhaps it is earlier than we would like, but we have been at war and war is not dictated by the timetable of one`s own choosing. Let`s roll!
For a terrific birds-eye-view of what is going on, go to One Jerusalem.
I had hoped when the United States invaded Iraq that our troops would have invaded via the Mediterranean-straight through Syria. Syria and Iran are the big troublemakers in the region, and the ``insurgency`` in Iraq is housed, fed, and fueled by the Syrians. That is the keystone to peace-take out the Syrians, and everything falls into line.
Iran is the other source of trouble in the region, but without Syria they would have no base of operation against Israel, and there would be enormous pressure on them since Iraq will be far more stable. Furthermore, if Iran decides to act rashly we will be justified in knocking out their nuclear program before they can start rolling those shiny uranium spheres off the production line. We are going to have to act against them at some point, why not now?
This current battle is one Israel must win; and I wouldn`t shed a tear if their military rolled straight through Lebanon. Although U.S. forces are stretched pretty thin, I still believe we could muster enough troops to occupy Lebanon if we had to, and we could take over for the Israeli military-putting Syria in a pincher move. We could pull troops out of Germany, out of France, out of the Balkans (isn`t it time Europe took care of their own mess.) I don`t like it, but if we have to reinstitute the draft, let`s do it! We did it to fight Hitler, why is this any less important? I`ve got an idea; since Bush is so gung-ho on giving amnesty to illegal Mexicans, why don`t we make such an offer contingent upon military service? That way we can enculturate them, give them a stake in our society, and help in our fight for survival. The U.S. Government must have SOME contingency plan in place to fight this war. I don`t for a moment believe that we are powerless to act. This is going to have to be done at some point, so it may as well happen now. Let`s roll!
President George W. Bush declared war on terrorists with international reach and their sponsors. If he meant that, he should back Israel to the hilt at this time. We have given up the initiative in the War, and the current crisis in Israel has given us the means to retake it. I`ve always argued that sitting in Iraq and awaiting events is a sure path to defeat-victory comes to the aggressor in modern warfare. Everything is coming to a head now. Perhaps it is earlier than we would like, but we have been at war and war is not dictated by the timetable of one`s own choosing. Let`s roll!
posted by Timothy Birdnow | 6:11 AM
4 Comments:
Now that we've gotten the bug-eyed, mouth frothing, kill-'em-all jingoism out of the way, let's all settle down and have a civilized discussion about what's really going on in the middle east. (You crazy conservatives... always so quick to grab your guns and run off to foreign wars.) From where I'm sitting, it doesn't look like Israel needs our help. Why should we be so quick to jump into a war that we've not even been invited to join? Besides, our military is only for defense. Guerilla warfare in Israel cannot be construed into them attacking America. Point to one deliberate U.S. casualty from these recent attacks and retaliations. We need to do like the rest of the world and keep our noses out of their business. If they want our help, they can go to the UN and ask for it.
Tim, if you want to go to Israel and shoot up the place, be my guest. I won't stop you. However, the moment you volunteer my life and my treasure for your foreign adventures without my consent, we're going to have words. Imperialism is not okay by me and I resent anyone who'll try to ram it down my throat. Further, only the uneducated are unaware of what the endgame is here. These events are nothing more than a convenient excuse for war with Iran. I've been watching this whole situation for a number of years and now I see how the justification will be made to allow us to attack Iran. I won't go into detail for it will require a paper in and of itself. For those who are interested in getting another viewpoint besides FoxNews, I'll refer you to Justin Raimondo's excellent article, "Israel Crosses the Line". Pay close attention when he gets to the part about the policy statement (see "A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm") for then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that proposed a strategy of regime change as the only solution for Israel's growing encirclement and isolation. This is more evidence that NOTHING in politics happens by accident.
My advice to your readers: Don't be quick to run headlong into another war--especially when it's not even your fight.
I see that Brandon has left an excellent and insightful comment. :)
And here is another interesting perspective.
Israel has endured enough, with some 750 missiles lobbed their way since the cession of the "Palestinian" territories a few months ago.
Hi Don!
You know I greatly respect your opinion, but I have to disagree with you on this.
Syria has been, even more than Iran, THE state sponsor of terrorism, and many Americans have died from Syrian-sponsored attacks. Remember the Achille Lauro? Furthermore, the ``insurgents`` coming into Iraq to kill American soldiers are coming out of Syria. Weather you agree with our involvement in Iraq or not, this is still an act of war by our friendly neighborhood terrorists.
Don, we`ve played the U.N. game, and have stood idly by while terrorism has grown strong enough to attack us. There comes a time when action is necessary. Islam has been at war with the West since Muhammad, and the Battle of Vienna marked an ``operational pause`` in the minds of many in the Islamic world. (Dawn makes the beginning of the Islamic day, and the battle started at 4 a.m., so by Moslem custom it began at the end of the day on September 11, 1683 as opposed to the Wests dating of September 12. The choice of the New York attacks by Al-Quada in the morning of September 11 cannot be ruled coincidence.) They are determined to destroy the ``Great Satan`` and bring ``peace`` (Islam) through our collective and personal submission to their will (and Allah`s too, of course.)
If you aren`t comfortable going that far back, consider the seizure of the American Embassy by Iran. Consider the increasingly bloody attacks on Americans around the Globe. This is war, weather we choose to believe it or not.
Don, even if we went into Iraq for the worst possible motives, we are still in Iraq, and we now have no choice but to follow through on this. We can debate the wisdom of Bush`s policy all we like, but we can`t put the genie back in the bottle. We have to accept that we are in a shooting match with the terror-masters. Syria and Iran have been interfering with our troops, been giving material aid and assistance to the enemy. If we fail to fight these guys now, we will be fighting them here in a few years. National security is THE main purpose of a central government, after all. We have to act.
This isn`t about Imperialism, it isn`t about oil, and it isn`t a macho-pride thing. This is about our national security. This is, indeed, about Iran, too. The Islamic world is going to be hostile to us, no matter what we do; we are the last bastion of Christianity in the world, and the world`s great power, and if the Caliphate is to be resurrected America will have to go.
The Middle-East has been a powderkeg awaiting a match, and the more time that goes by, the greater the danger grows. We can fight this war while we can win it, or we can hide our head in the sand and fight when it is too late. Israel is not going to fade into that good night, and there is no way to convince them to do so to placate the Arabs. Israel`s enemies have one purpose-the destruction of Israel. They will accept no less. Someone is going to have to win, and someone lose (and know they are beaten). This war is inevitable, and it absolutely is our fight, because we have been repeatedly attacked not by Jews but by rampaging Jihadists. Nuclear weapons in the hands of Iran and Syria also make it incumbent upon us to fight. The time is now; we have got to act.
Great points, Brandon!
Thanks, AOW; the Cuana piece puts a fresh perspective on things.
Tim, your comment about the motivations that lead us into Iraq is exactly my point. We didn't have a proper debate with a review of all the evidence and now the "genie's out of the bottle." I don't want to make the same damned mistake again. I demand the necessary debate before we start killing people. I don't doubt for a minute that there are people out to hurt and kill us. But I want to be able to say that ours is a righteous war, not a reaction to prior meddling that resulted in bloodshed.
There are many of us who believe that it is our government's constant butting-in on other government's affairs that has lead to much of the animosity towards American interests that we see in that region. As I like to say, "You can't keep poking the dog with a stick then get pissed when he finally bites you."
Post a Comment
<< Home