Two columns of uniformed soldiers marched smartly down the middle of the road to the tune of fife and drum. Their colors fluttered proudly on the afternoon breeze, announcing their might and majesty to all the world. The only thing that surpassed their bearing was their bewilderment as, one by one, their ranks were diminished by the ‘pop-pop-pop’ of gun fire echoing from all sides. The unseen marksmen moved like ghosts among the trees, creating gaping holes in the confused columns of red-coated figures. Even while attempting to return fire, the uniforms remained in lock-step and displayed perfect decorum to the very end.
This is the description of a skirmish between British Redcoats and Colonials during our Revolutionary War. It could, just as easily, be a parallel for the current encounter between American forces and the rag-tag enemy in The Middle East. Battles like Iraq become protracted because we’re using 21st Century tactics against a 17th Century enemy. We’re guilty of being Redcoats in the road while colonials pick us off from behind trees. In spite of all contraindications, we keep trying to apply humanitarian rules to a situation where the only rule is “anything goes”. If we are to prevail in the Global War On Terror, we must think and respond like the terrorist. Something less, is seen as weakness and seized as opportunity.
I keep hearing statements from the Left about harsh treatment of enemy prisoners like, “We’re better than that”. A Democrat friend of mine adds, “We need to stand for something. If we act the same way they do, then what do we stand for?” My answer: “Winning!” It’s time we learned to get just as down and dirty as the other guy because this is a street fight. You can’t show up with gloves on if they’re using bare knuckles. Had we been “better” than the enemy during World War II, we’d all be speaking German on the East Coast and Japanese on the West.
Many of our limp-wristed politicians want to outlaw all forms of ‘non-gentlemanly’ persuasion to extract information from unlawful enemy combatants; persuasion which has proven to yield positive results. You can’t fight a politically correct war. These are not detainees. They’re not soldiers. They’re terrorists! They either brutally murdered or were about to brutally murder our sons, daughters, brothers and sisters who are fighting to keep us safe; they would murder us in our beds if given half the chance. Turn them loose and they’ll murder again! We need to understand the enemy but we don’t need to coddle him.
Barack Hussein wants to use diplomacy and reason with the madmen dispatching these barbarians. Hillary, Mrs. Clinton will go along with whatever the polls show. Someone please tell me exactly what you say to a guy who looks you square in the eye and says, “I want you dead because your very existence offends me.” What is left to discuss, especially if [even as the most powerful country on earth] you’ve taken all other options off the table. Thugs like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad must be made to understand ‘grave consequences’ and their threats taken seriously, including threats of retaliation should we act preemptively in our own defense.
I fear that we are being sufficiently distracted by Liberal opposition in this country, and threat of impending Iranian nuclear capability, to overlook other devastating forms of attack which are already available to those who want us dead. I’m talking about chemical and biological agents which can be easily smuggled into our country and dispersed. With the coming of the Christmas shopping season, and a potential terrorist threat to unsuspecting crowds that will fill the malls, I am given to wonder if the nuclear distraction is intentional. The introduction of such agents could have staggering effects in both human and economic terms.
The time may be at hand to act swiftly and with decisive force, placing delusions of humanity on hold. We can no longer afford the time or luxury of marching down the middle of the road. Japan awakened a “sleeping giant” with Pearl Harbor. The time may have come for the giant to awaken once again and for the Islamic Nazis to pay a similar price.
R.S.F.
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