How to win a war, seriously

What's the secret to winning a war these days? Get the media to shut up. Throw them a piece of raw meat and get them off the trail and onto something else.

And something does have to happen. What I think has to happen is another war. What saved us from defeat in Afghanistan was Iraq. The MSM didn't have time to create a defeat. With the media focus on Iraq Afghanistan had four years to stabilize a government. Every leftist I know believes Afghanistan is a defeat, but the American public doesn't know that, so the Afghans don't know that, so in fact they putter along and are doing fairly well.

Iraq though, constantly, every night, is a "defeat". and so it may become a defeat in fact as Americans get tired of hearing the dismal drone every night and so just want to get out so it will stop. (We could fight a decent war if we could just get Americans to play bingo rather than watch CBS.) There is one way just as good as bingo and that's to attack Iran. An attack is always kind of fun, and it's different, it's a break from the drone. Initially at least Americans would support it, most Americans, and it certainly would lead to discussion. And initially it would be successful and possibly useful.

I do think we're moving that way. I would settle for a little bit of "hot pursuit".

And in Iraq we could use something akin to hot pursuit. Democracy comes through the barrel of a gun. All governments are formed with the gun, and I do hope the administration is getting tired of Maliki pussyfooting with al-Sadr. "This is democracy, we were elected. Sadr is my ally and I protect him." Sorry. An armed militia not controlled by a national government is not democracy. It's a dangerously disruptive faction and the antithesis of centralized democratic government and has got to go. (emphasis mine, read it all here)

The above was written by a genius, a genius I tell you, (ha) at Wannagetaburger blog. He/she suggests that perhaps a confrontation with Iran in the near future may be just what Iraq needs. There are rumors of a confrontation with Iran in the near future.

Resa Laru Kirkland, a/k/a War Chick, tackles the 'rumors' that are out there, and explains how we know which ones are true and which ones are lies:

I suppose the wisdom in dealing with rumors is knowing when they're worthy of a second look and when they should be disregarded. Fortunately for us, we have an even easier way of determining truth from fiction: Is the Hippy Press reporting it?

If the answer is "yes," you can be sure it's a lie. If the answer is "no," therein lies the reality they are desperate to deny.

She gives a perfectly good example. The Left reports that 'the only one's joining our military are these "18 year old "poor" kids who have no other choice in life but to join." The MSM keeps printing this over and over .. thus it is a lie. The truth is these are grown men/women, between the ages of 27 - 39, who believe in our President and support the war on terror, are highly educated and left profitable jobs to join the military. War Chick says:

This is true, because it passes the Hippy Press test; they aren't touching it. Why? Isn't it apparent? If they lose the "poor, minority, immature young men" angle, it calls into question all of their other fundamental beliefs.. [snip]

The times the Hippy Press supports America, Israel, or those fighting for our freedoms are so rare they are rendered useless. If we refuse to fight, we choose slavery. No nation has ever survived once it refused to back its own beliefs. If we ignore the bubbling rumors now, we'll pay attention only when it's too late; such has been the unfortunate tendency of mankind.

There are truths and absolutes in life, black and white, rights and wrongs.

If all of the Arabs put down their arms, there will be no more war. If all of the Jews put down their arms, there will be no more Jews.-- David Ha'ivri

No more Jews, no more soldiers, no more America. That is exactly what the hippies want. In the name of peace they will welcome slavery and bow before evil. They have created the only thing more foul than Islam and communism--wretched capitulation and acceptance of subservience to those who take glee in oppression.

They must be stopped--not the terrorists, but those who excuse them and enable them to murder at will, with no accountability whatsoever.

Pass it on... this rumor is right.

The rumor? America and/or Israel will attack Iran in the next few months. 'Now we are getting 21,500 more troops, 3 carrier battle groups, and offensive ops in Somalia ... throw in the Iranian officers we've captured, and something smells like sulfur.'

Look out Mahmoud. Maybe that smell of sulfur at the United Nations was not Bush after all, or even Chavez, perhaps it was a portent of you.
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Comments

[Debbie]

Rob, thanks for the question. But I don't think your premis is correct. You say, "...need to attack Iran because of it's support for the insurgency"

No one I know says we should attack Iran for that reason. Any attack would be to take out their nuclear sites.

Saudi Arabia isn't building a nuclear program which most believe has nukes, and the Saudis have not threatened to wipe Israel off the map, and all the other threats that Ahmadinejad has issued. There is a big difference.

[rob]

I keep hearing that we need to attack Iran because of it's support for the insurgency yet the Saudi's are doing the same and we have no intention of attacking them. Why is this?

[The Independent]

Debbie,
Thank you for your thoughtful response. The age limit for military service was recently increased from 34 to 39 years of age in order to help alleviate shortages in some areas. I'm afraid another war might put too much strain on the armed forces. I am opposed to a outright draft, but I would be willing to support mandatory military service for people between the ages of 18-21. I would support this only if there was no opportunity for the wealthy or influential to somehow avoid service. Even people with physical disabilities should serve in some capacity. College deferments should be outlawed too. College can wait. No loopholes is the only way to ensure that people like President Bush, Vice President Cheney (5 deferments) and former President Clinton do not avoid military service.

Peace,
The Independent

[The Independent]

Debbie,
Thank you for your thoughtful response. The age limit for military service was recently increased from 34 to 39 years of age in order to help alleviate shortages in some areas. I'm afraid another war might put too much strain on the armed forces. I am opposed to a outright draft, but I would be willing to support mandatory military service for people between the ages of 18-21. I would support this only if there was no opportunity for the wealthy or influential to somehow avoid service. Even people with physical disabilities should serve in some capacity. College deferments should be outlawed too. College can wait. No loopholes is the only way to ensure that people like President Bush, Vice President Cheney (5 deferments) and former President Clinton avoid military service.

Peace,
The Independent

[Debbie]

The Independent, I cannot speak for Wannagetaburger. I just ran across that blog today. I don't know if the writer is male/female or young/old. As for me volunteering to serve, I would be happy to. Unfortunately I am probably over the age limit, if there is one.

Not everyone is in a position to actually join the military, but that doesn't mean that we cannot support our military in other ways, physical, tangible ways and also with our voices.

I do support our military. Whether we should have ever gone into Iraq in the first place is not the point now. We are there. "If" we are going to stay there, we need to give it our everything, make every effort to win/beat the bad guys.

I too read blogs that are not conservative and that have alternative views from my own. I believe discussion is good,sharing ideas is good. I'm not beyond admitting when my idea on something might be wrong, and conceding the discussion to someone else.

Blindly following one side or the other is just stupid.

I often list links to other sites that are vehemently opposed to my beliefs.

Just today I received an email from a reader who thanked me for doing just that. Among other things, the individual said:

"The links you have provided keep me in the know and have helped me to read more than one side of a certain story."

Now THAT is why I blog.

Thanks to both of you, The Independent and Night Rider, and everybody else for sharing your opinions.

But PLEASE do NOT get personal. There is no place for personal attacks here.

If that start by anyone, I will delete their comment. No personal attacks, no foul language.

Thanks everybody and please have a wonderful day.

[The Independent]

Night Rider,

I was not speaking to you. Anyway, I periodically visit conservative blogs because I feel it is important to get an idea of what others are thinking. I posed an honest (openminded) question to Debbie and I am waiting for a response. For some reason, you felt compelled to enter the conversation by making some snarky remark. Well, Night Rider, I will not stoop to your level. I often get snarky remarks when I visit conservative sites. Where's the compassionate conservatism? (Rhetorical question, please do not respond)

Peace,
The Independent

[Night Rider]

The Independent

And I might also add to your ending statement it's a very small thought too indeed from a very small minded person.

[The Independent]

Debbie,

If Wannagetaburger is such a genius, why doesn't he sign up to go fight in the current war with Iraq or the next one with Iran? It's my understanding that our soldiers are currently having to serve 3 and 4 tours of duty and they could certainly use some help. It's easy to sit at your computer and dictate what others should do. Why don't you and others practice what you preach?

Just a thought,
The Independent

[Night Rider]

Hi Debbie,

First off I don't ever listen to CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC or any Leftwing drivel Newspaper or News source. I get my news from Conservative Talk Radio and nice blogs like your's Debbie.

If every Conservative and moderate middle of the roadie would do the same then the only ones who would listen to the left wing drivel news would be the far leftist it would be much better for the world.

I have a few leftist for friends of whom I don't talk to much but they are always saying don't you watch TV and I would say nope don't have time for it.

As far as attacking Iran, Joel C. Rosenberg has suggested that "STATE OF THE UNION: BUSH MUST LAY OUT PLAN TO STOP IRAN".
This is the President. This is the moment. If any world leader is going to protect Americans and the world from the apocalyptic, genocidal, end-of-the-world scenarios being cooked up in Tehran, it is George W. Bush. And if Bush is going to do it, it will be in 2007. This is the Year of Decision, and the President must decide what his legacy will be: hero or heartbreak. For let's be clear: if Iran goes nuclear on Bush's watch, all the gains we have made thus far in the War on Terror will evaporate in a heartbeat and this presidency will have been utterly wasted.