Leadership and Credibility

Its easy to point at the folks who are undermining the Military Action taking place overseas, they are everywhere. Certainly America’s reputation in the civilized and emerging world has been damaged by the homefront’s failure to support to the "War on Terror" and especially the “War in Iraq”. The "War on Terror" as a name is an inappropriate moniker and reminds me of George H. W. Bush and his "War on Drugs". But I digress, the "War in Iraq” was never declared by Congress, showing the rest of World right off the bat that our elected officials didn’t have the stomach for this commitment and were already looking for a way out. Our collective reputation was damaged coming out of the gate and not just now as the “War” drags on. The loss of credibility occurred long before the Democrat’s seeking a quick power grab thought to disparage the "War" and smear those who would support it. Lets be honest this is typical behavior for the Democrats and we all saw it coming. Every “War” will forever be Vietnam to them, the rest of us must move on. The smear machine that’s been cranked up is still hurting all Americans and must stop. But be aware there is some blame to be shared by the so-called conservative representatives who were quick to pass-the-buck to a sitting President ready to take action. But what continues to really hurt the most is a failure of Leadership to set any kind of goal and accomplish it. We have boots-on-the-ground and these men are more than capable of success if give proper clear objectives, keeping the undermining to a minimum, and letting military leadership determine means and methods.

This does not require the Congress or the current Administration to write up a document and forward to the New York Times detailing where and when specific activities will take place for friend and enemy alike. We are in Iraq now, with our forces in place, our elected officials must define in general terms for our military and for us at home what we are doing and do it right now. This will be the first step to credibility in the world and restoring confidence in our resolve. Set an objective and meet it. The world sees and hears “the U.S. will do X”, and the “X” is done. We mean what we say. This point, above all else, needs to be communicated to the world. To do this we must answer the following for ourselves; Are we fighting a War? Are we Nation Building? Are we involved in an Imperial Adventure? Are we going to cut off Al Qaeda's head?

If we are fighting a War: Who is the Enemy Nation? What capital do we topple? What army do we crush? Who’s people do we beat into submission and bend to our collective will? Lets crank out the ordinance and fire up the bombers to eliminate our enemies. That’s a "War" I’m describing; this is not what we are doing in Iraq or anywhere else for that matter. I think we should quit misrepresenting these activities as a “War” immediately. Or we should identify our enemies and let Congress declare “War” on them, and then wage total “War” in a way never seen before on this earth. So unless our Congress is completely replaced with “Pods” by the war hawks (are there really any out there?), the idea of "War" is off the table.

If we are Nation Building: What Nations are we building and what do we hope to accomplish? What will we construct? What type of Government are we creating? What about Infrastructure? Items like Power, Water, Sewers, Roads, and Bridges could be built (how many, where, and when will it be complete). Is a National Army and Police infrastructure needed? Or is a fair Justice system required? How big an army, how many lawyers, how loyal to their own nation do they need to be? How long will it take for a previously subjugated and divided people to have their own national unified identity? Are we going to spend the American people’s money to create a new Nation built on the principles of a Religion that essentially has not reformed and wants us all dead? Some tough questions and let’s say we ignore the last one, this process is best guess, a 30 year plus proposition. We are not currently prepared for this responsibility; no one has told the American people that’s the objective. The media amplifies the idea that we are failing our commitments now and the discussion of "pulling out" is rampant. This is unacceptable and must change if we are in fact Nation Building. We seem to be doing a half-way version of this right now in Iraq and Afghanistan. If we are going to build new Nations in the ashes of the old then we must send in more troops and advisors now and start planning for the long haul. A stronger commitment from all our Armed Forces will be needed immediately to protect those who will do the building. The border between Syria and Iraq as well as Iran and Iraq where enemies of a new Nation freely cross the borders must be addressed for stability. That little matter of the National religion must be addressed. We can no longer fund people now with U.S. tax dollars who will attack us in thirty years claiming Religious Jihad. However, Nation building can still be a possible task.

If this is an Imperial Adventure: What is the booty for defeating Iraq: Where’s all the treasure? How did we benefit from our Invasion? Are we going to keep the land? Are we sporting to Invade Syria and Iran in another land grab? When will the price of Gas drop from all the Oil we're raking in? Sorry folks that’s "Imperialism", this is not what we are doing in Iraq or anywhere for that matter. It’s also out of character for the U.S. now and forever. We will never be that nation. So unless we reconvene the Continental congress and re-write our Constitution an "Imperial Adventure" is right out.

If we are going to cut off Al Qaeda 's head: Find and kill USAMA BIN LADEN in a very public and spectacular fashion, on camera LIVE if at all possible. Find and kill Al Zarkari in a… you get the idea. I hope this why we still have personnel in the Middle East and in-harms-way if not someone owes the American public one hell of an explanation. It seems logical that is what keeps us going. Tell everyone in the world, we aren’t done until, and then name everyone in Al Qaeda leadership, are dead. Next get the additional resources to do it. More troops, more help, more everything. Show the world why we are fighting, those Towers falling down should be on TV everyday till we are done, I don’t care how we get that accomplished. If the government is paying for TV with tax dollars then take it over and use it for the government’s message. The American people must remember why we are fighting. Enlist the help of everyone in the U.S., ads in every paper in the U.S. with pics and descriptions of the perpetrators, their last whereabouts, and a bounty if killed anywhere in the world, again more pics of what they did. These killers should lead-off every episode of Americas Most Wanted until they are all dead. Find a General with the will to do what’s necessary and put him in charge of the task, then give him what he needs, and don’t ask any questions about the how. This is what I expect we should be doing, this is our goal, if this is the only real task, lets get it done.

Identify these general objectives for the entire world. If we plan to Nation build alot of resources and planning are required in addition to any already undertaken. Make a descision on this and stick to it. We will finish Al Qaeda. Show our resolve down to the personal level. Restore our credibility in the world with action, success, and accomplishment of tasks. That is the American way. Stand up to the heat of those who don’t like the way we are trying to accomplish tasks, they have no alternatives to offer and are totally unimportant. No matter how loud the critique. We mean what we say. Al Qaeda is done, the world is off limits to you, we will destroy you wherever you are, do you hear me Saudi Arabia?