Obama & Co. has declared that the phrase coined by the Bush Administration, "the global war on terror", to be replaced with the kinder, gentler, more globally-friendly term, "overseas contingency operations". According to those "in the know", the GWOT is just too confrontational. Apparently it mischaracterizes the nature of the enemy and its (the enemy's) ability. The thing is, that calling it the war on terror does not mischaracterize the enemy. It holds them accountable. It draws a line in the sand. The "war on terror" overtly lets the "bad guys" know that we don't mess around. If you choose to resort to such acts of cowardice and malice, we will find you. And, we will introduce you to our little friend, the daisy cutter. You will suffer the same fate of those who you terrorized. It is a simple concept, and simple concepts often produces big results.
However, the global community doesn't like this straight forward approach. They prefer to beat around the bush (no pun intended) and acquiesce to the demands of rebels and despots. Insert the United Nations. The world would like to see us sit down and have a "chat" with those who have little regard for human life and hold grossly distorted viewpoints. Evidently, even our president seems to find this to be a brilliant idea. After all, chatting with the Iranian leadership is a definite possibility.
Perhaps, we the people (and our great leader) should stop taking military advice from the likes of France. According to my records, the only thing they have perfected militarily in the last 200 years is the act of surrender. Of course they don't like the straight-forward approach the Bush admin. set forth; they are militarily impotent. They simply cannot compete. So, instead, they do what Albert Einstein said, "when the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts." They opt for the "moral high ground" and diplomacy. Shunning and scoffing at the US for defending herself against those whose life's ambition is to bring America to her knees. In my opinion, it is motivated out of fear, jealousy, and incompetence. Blame the other guy, don't fix yourself.
Yes, the Bush administration did alienate some of the world with his policies on Islamic extremism, there is no argument there. But, in the end, he kept us safe. He effectively won a war. Disrupted an entire global terror network, basically rendering them obsolete. He did all of this with much of the world his critic. He recognized the urgency of the situation, and acted accordingly. He did not ask for permission or use litmus tests. He lead.
I have no Idea what an overseas contingency operation entails. I am sure it includes pulling out of Iraq, and closing GITMO. Beyond that, my perception is less than clear, I must have a bad seat at the play. The bottom line is simple. You cannot settle things diplomatically with those who are, for lack of a better word, "nut jobs". Instead of sending a message of friendship and bridge building, we are unfortunately sending a message of weakness. This, sadly, does nothing to keep us safe, our way of life preserved, and respect the sacrifices of our military personnel. It does the exact opposite. It concedes. Fear wins.
Those who we are currently at war with do not view this as an overt contingency operation. They view it as WAR. Bush recognized this. He called them and their vile acts out on the carpet. He took their bets and raised them. He matched their game. He reacted with a strong resolve. He didn't mess around. Obama, and his lack of experience has done the opposite. He has grossly underestimated their ambitions. He has not put America first. He has put the terrorists and their rights ahead of our own. Instead of strong leadership, we have absorbed a way of friendly relations. However, these guys will never want to be our friend. They want to anhailate us. They hate our very principles and ideals. This fact will never change, even if we change the title of our overseas escapades. The only thing it does is make America look weak and vulnerable. It is not an act of brilliant strategy, it is an act of cowardice and submission. It leaves things ambiguious and undefined. What remains, is unfortunately a lot of grey area. I highly doubt that Marion Pearl, or the 9/11 families sees their loved ones grotesque murders as a contingency operation. They view it as a war. They wish for justice, not diplomacy.
It is our duty to ensure that those deaths were not in vain. That our way of life will be preserved. It is not our duty to make friends with the enemy. It is not our responsibility to please the likes of France and the rest of the EU. We must defend ourselves, and we have every right to do so. Aligning ourselves with the UN does nothing to keep our people safe. It compromises our safety and the principles on which this nation was founded. Obama has yet to realize this. His rose colored glasses seem to have grossly distorted his overall global view, and America's place in the world. Unfortunately, this leaves "we the people" in a vulnerable position. It is a position holds us in limbo, simply waiting for the next time UBL and Co. seek to declare war... or an overt contingency operation on innocent American citizens. The only question that remains is: Who will the victim be? It most certainly will not be those held at GITMO, or the circus clowns at the UN.
Mr. Obama, you have sold us out. You are effectively toying with our safety. Please, Mr. President, please stop listening to those who judge from afar. Instead, listen to those in the pentagon. Our future and our safety depends upon it. The outsider's will still remain outsiders. They will be unscathed. We the people, however, will not be so fortunate.
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