It's long past time for the United States and the rest of the entire world to dispense with the Nobel Peace Prize platitudes, the edible Obama underwear, the Chia Obamas and all the other worthless, commercialized tripe and start insisting that this mere mortal, idolized as the Second coming of Jesus Christ, do something tangible to earn some of the hype that he's drowning in.
For starters, how about winning the war, instead of capitulating, like every other Democrat president throughout the last 40 years?
While Barack Obama is taking his time re-deliberating a strategy for Afghanistan (did he ever have one?), appearing on television to defend his indefensible stinkulus, holding star parties and concerts, meeting with gay rights groups, debating health care and accepting politically-motivated awards from sniveling, European socialists for taking the United States of America back down a couple of notches, US combat forces are getting ambushed, shot, blown up, fragged by Afghan police sympathetic to al Qaeda, killed in vehicle rollovers or accidents and God knows what else. Mindful of the fact that the clock is ticking and men are dying, Obama's delay is inexplicable and makes him appear weak and indecisive.
Mr. Obama has been given several options for what hand-picked, combat-seasoned, and decorated military leadership has defined as victory. The request for additional soldiers, without which, McChrystal bluntly warns, could lead to mission failure, was backed by General David Petraeus, the architect of the successful counter-insurgency surge in Iraq and Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Obama's choices are quite simple:
- Send McChrystal the additional 40,000 - 60,000 men he's asking for to win the war.
- Send him no more that a few Brigades to disengage from, and actively negotiate with the Afghan Taliban, which, according to Obama, will allow him to focus on striking al Qaeda.
- Send him no help, then accept his possible resignation.
Option number three is simply untenable. For this veteran, there is no question. Give the general what he needs and then some. Unfortunately, the prevailing opinion is that Obama will choose option number two, which would be a tremendous mistake, not just for the US, but for Afghanistan, NATO and the entire world, leading the war-torn country back into a death spiral until it once again becomes a failed state, awash in blood, not to mention a base for launching terrorist attacks.
First and foremost, you can't separate The Taliban and al Qaeda. Though they are two separate groups, with different motives, our invasion of Afghanistan has seen both organizations mesh into a symbiotic cult of death. Concentrating only on al Qaeda is a half-measure that will actually lead to more bloodshed, oppression and terrorism.
Under Taliban rule, strict Sharia law was enforced by thuggish "morality police". The Taliban cut off hands and heads, flogged people for dancing, kite flying or listening to music. They oppress and beat their women and kill Jews for sport and Christians just for the hell of it. They have vowed to kill other NATO forces in retaliation, the moment we turn our backs and they would surely lop the heads off of any Afghans who had connections to US or NATO forces. Ignoring the Taliban, or worse, legitimizing them, would be a huge strategic mistake.
Through all of the presidential hand-wringing over Afghanistan, much scorn has been directed at General McChrystal's public comments by the Obama Administration. But, the comments by McChrystal in London are no different than war-time comments made by previous generals. Barack Obama simply can't stand being told he's wrong or criticized... By anyone. We've seen this hubris repeatedly from Obama.
Let me be perfectly clear: This war affects the future of this entire country and perhaps the entire world. It damn well better be debated in public. American military men are dying in Forward Operating Bases that are literally designed like funnels, making them bullet magnets.
Stanley McChrystal, or any man who has attained the rank of 4-star general and has been put in charge of a war has the right to question this Commander-In-Chief-In-Training, who, lest we forget, has never put on a military uniform. McChrystal's allegiance is to the United States, its security and his men, not Barack Obama or his political aspirations. I would expect nothing less from any member of the military.
On day one of his socialist coup, Obama unleashed a torrent of executive and administrative orders. He rushed through bailouts. He rushed through a failed stinkulus. He tried to rush health care. Everything to this point has been an imminent crisis needing federal intervention. It is against this backdrop that Barack Obama has signaled his decision on what to do about Afghanistan may take several weeks. It makes no sense when men are dying. Their blood stains his hands.
While Obama deliberates the impact of Afghanistan on his political future, the US Marines have now begun pushing even deeper into Taliban-held territory. The only valid, strategic decision for long-term, military success is to send in the reinforcements. If Obama lacks the commitment, then he needs to bring our men home. But, if that happens, we'd all better be prepared to reap what we have sown.
