Support the Troops, but not the war?

GeneV · December 18, 2006

Hi Ted,

Yes I follow your thoughts and strangely enough I was thinking much the same thing over the weekend i.e. Isolationism or something along the lines of the 'Monroe Doctrine' extended to include the middle east. On reflection however it wouldn't work for the reasons you have mentioned.

Hi Gene,

Knowing their ways and understanding their methods does not imply that we have to become like them to defeat them. We would be doing fine if half of our own Congress hadn't led half of our own nation to resist every effort we have made thus far.

Sorry I think you misunderstood me - when I said we might become 'like them' I meant in the sense of fighting the war on their terms that is terror vs terror. Remember the enemy is not going to fight you on any battlefield, their tactics are 'hit and run'. If we look to History in the usage of Guerrilla tactics: -

1) Boer War 1899-1902 - very few battles were fought on a 'set piece' basis after the failure of the sieges of Mafeking, Kimberly and Ladysmith - the Boer tactics were mainly sabotage ie lines of supply etc I quote

JustinM · December 18, 2006

You can't jump out now, Ted, and shut the doors behind you.

You lot dragged us into this thing, remember, and now we're in it for the duration. You can't just leave us to fight it on our own

We are in it, and in it to the bitter end, whatever that may be.

I think you misunderstood his sarcasm. He wasn't really calling for a withdrawal or isolationism. He was calling for unity and affirmation to our allies and soldiers. Our government is divided because it is fighting for control of this country. They are more interested in what's going on in Washington, than what's going on elsewhere. They only use world-wide politics to make themselves look good and make their opponents look inept.

Our government needs to grow up and unite. We Americans are sick and tired of your stupid smear campaigns, broken promises, and internal conflicts. Focus on what's important. Right now there are millions of people looking for ways to destroy us and your fighting makes us appear weak and divided. This encourages them to fight and continue their barbaric practices. You have an obligation to this country to protect it from destruction. Grow Up!!!!!

GeneV · December 18, 2006

You can't jump out now, Ted, and shut the doors behind you.

You lot dragged us into this thing, remember, and now we're in it for the duration. You can't just leave us to fight it on our own

We are in it, and in it to the bitter end, whatever that may be.

I think you misunderstood his sarcasm. He wasn't really calling for a withdrawal or isolationism. He was calling for unity and affirmation to our allies and soldiers. Our government is divided because it is fighting for control of this country. They are more interested in what's going on in Washington, than what's going on elsewhere. They only use world-wide politics to make themselves look good and make their opponents look inept.

Our government needs to grow up and unite. We Americans are sick and tired of your stupid smear campaigns, broken promises, and internal conflicts. Focus on what's important. Right now there are millions of people looking for ways to destroy us and your fighting makes us appear weak and divided. This encourages them to fight and continue their barbaric practices. You have an obligation to this country to protect it from destruction. Grow Up!!!!!

sweetycakes · December 18, 2006

You can't jump out now, Ted, and shut the doors behind you.

You lot dragged us into this thing, remember, and now we're in it for the duration. You can't just leave us to fight it on our own

We are in it, and in it to the bitter end, whatever that may be.

I think you misunderstood his sarcasm. He wasn't really calling for a withdrawal or isolationism. He was calling for unity and affirmation to our allies and soldiers. Our government is divided because it is fighting for control of this country. They are more interested in what's going on in Washington, than what's going on elsewhere. They only use world-wide politics to make themselves look good and make their opponents look inept.

Our government needs to grow up and unite. We Americans are sick and tired of your stupid smear campaigns, broken promises, and internal conflicts. Focus on what's important. Right now there are millions of people looking for ways to destroy us and your fighting makes us appear weak and divided. This encourages them to fight and continue their barbaric practices. You have an obligation to this country to protect it from destruction. Grow Up!!!!!

No, Justin, I think that YOU misunderstood.

Ted and myself happen to have a good relationship, and often poke fun at each other. Whatever other people might think about what I post in response to Ted's posts, either this one, or others, I am confident that Ted is quite capable of discerning my intent and meaning.

I think I am grown up enough to know what I say, even if you don't.

ted · December 18, 2006

Justin, forgive us for not making that clear. Myself and stephen often do play off of each other's posts using humor and soft sarcasm. All of it is done with our tongues firmly entrenched within our cheeks.

While it's clear to see why one could think that he was disagreeing, it wasn't the case on this one.

I can tell you that stephen has nothing but the highest respect for all of the men and women, in uniform and out, from the many countries involved in this war. He has demonstrated this in public and through warm PM's.

In other words, he's not the usual hippie that needs a good flogging in the streets!

Sorry for any misunderstandings.

t.

sweetycakes · December 18, 2006

Justin, forgive us for not making that clear. Myself and stephen often do play off of each other's posts using humor and soft sarcasm. All of it is done with our tongues firmly entrenched within our cheeks.

While it's clear to see why one could think that he was disagreeing, it wasn't the case on this one.

I can tell you that stephen has nothing but the highest respect for all of the men and women, in uniform and out, from the many countries involved in this war. He has demonstrated this in public and through warm PM's.

In other words, he's not the usual hippie that needs a good flogging in the streets!

Sorry for any misunderstandings.

t.

Thanks for that, Ted.

You're a great guy, btw. And keep up the good work

Justin.....no hard feelings, eh?

ted · December 18, 2006

Hi Ted,

Yes I follow your thoughts and strangely enough I was thinking much the same thing over the weekend i.e. Isolationism or something along the lines of the 'Monroe Doctrine' extended to include the middle east. On reflection however it wouldn't work for the reasons you have mentioned.

Hi Gene,

Knowing their ways and understanding their methods does not imply that we have to become like them to defeat them. We would be doing fine if half of our own Congress hadn't led half of our own nation to resist every effort we have made thus far.

Sorry I think you misunderstood me - when I said we might become 'like them' I meant in the sense of fighting the war on their terms that is terror vs terror. Remember the enemy is not going to fight you on any battlefield, their tactics are 'hit and run'. If we look to History in the usage of Guerrilla tactics: -

1) Boer War 1899-1902 - very few battles were fought on a 'set piece' basis after the failure of the sieges of Mafeking, Kimberly and Ladysmith - the Boer tactics were mainly sabotage ie lines of supply etc I quote

sweetycakes · December 19, 2006

I agree with every word you've written here, Ted.

Sorry, I know this is something of an expansion of the original topic in me saying this, but:

I believe that what needs to be done needs to be done quickly. One important reason in my opinion is the danger that this conflict could soon spread if not dealt with quickly.

By that I don't mean Syria or Iran. I think that America and her allies are quite capable of dealing with those nations if overwhelming force is used.

No, I mean that, as long as this conflict ensues, without a decisive and conclusive victory, more and more nations could be drawn in for a number of reasons, since many countries have some vested interest in what is at stake in the middle east.

What I am referring to is the possible, and likely, involvement of Russia (even though it is referred to as the 'former' Soviet Union)

It is my firm belief that, though most people throughout the western world seem to think that this giant is now no longer hostile to us, Russia still poses an enormous threat to the western alliance.

All that talk a few years ago about 'glasnost' - a new openness, etc, was just a 'smoke and mirrors' trick to lull us into a false sense of security.

When Bill Clinton was repeatedly saying that Russian nukes were no longer pointing at Western targets, I think he was misled and misinformed. Those nukes still exist, and could, with a minutes notice, again be programmed with co-ordinates to hit western targets. If they are not already.

I don't trust Russia, to be honest.

Unless the violence in Iraq is ended, and maybe even the capabilities of Iran and Syria taken care of, quickly, I fear that we could see more and more backing from the Soviet Union for nations such as Iran, with Russia increasingly being drawn in, as has been evident in past conflicts, and that this could lead to an ultimate clash between ourselves and Russia.

Call me paranoid, but this is what I feel could very possibly happen if this present conflict is not taken care of quickly.