The observations of a “former Republican� would a good deal more pertinent if they were a bit less inclined to idealistic fantasy, and more attuned to the reality of the world around us… a world which the “former Republican� has obviously yet to experience first hand.

Let’s start with the more mundane fact that Pakistan is a land-locked country, and as such is rather unlikely to have experienced a tsunami anytime lately. I believe an earthquake was the more geologically likely culprit. A small point, perhaps, but as the discussion regards the “right strategy� for “winning the war� it certainly can’t hurt to know just what we’re talking about.

More to the point is the author’s unspoken presumption, as well as Jack’s, that the US does not, as a matter of policy, do these sorts of things. Policy options which it is said are “… not being used very well by those who claim to be defending us.� This assertion is not only egregious nonsense, but an insult to those who are defending us, often with their very lives, and doing so quite well indeed.

In the cases of both the Pakistani earthquake and the tsunami of last December, the United States, both officially and un-officially, provided far more aid and relief supplies, far more logistical support, far more medical supplies, fresh water, rescue, logistical and communications equipment and the trained and experienced personnel to use that equipment and assist those in need in any way possible, than did any other country or international organization. By comparison, it took the Secretary General of the United Nations six days to publicly address the disaster of the tsunami last year. He could not be bothered to interrupt his skiing holiday. Six days during which the US Navy and their onboard contingent of US Marines worked night and day to provide relief supplies, medical supplies, fresh water, search and rescue capabilities, communications and logistics facilities and support, all done with the ferocious, quiet competence and professionalism so often lost amid the cacophony of smarmy liberal criticism. And while the US military went about its unheralded business, the press, and the Secretary General’s spokesman went on and on, tediously, about the “niggardly� contributions of the Americans. Idiots!

Of course, in the case of the tsunami, as well as that of the recent Pakistani earthquake, the fact that the vast majority of the victims were Muslims went totally unreported. As well it should. The millions raised for relief efforts for both disasters came from the pockets of rightwing evangelical Christians the same as it did from secular leftwing progressive atheists. And those providing the on-site assistance, military or civilian, could hardly have cared less about the religious persuasions of those who were suffering. Both the “former Republican� and Jack should know, and in fairness acknowledge that fact.

That said, it should also be noted that in Iraq, and Afghanistan, and Jordan, Chechnya, Israel, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Sudan, Somalia and perhaps a dozen other locations across the globe, including Europe, it is civilians that are being targeted and killed. Blown up by suicide bombers, hacked to death by machete wielding Islamist fanatics, shot, stabbed, fire-bombed, and be-headed. Most often simply because they are “infidels.� And those doing the killing are no more interested in the Red Cross or any other such organization than they are the Pittsburg Steelers, the Anti-Defamation League, the National Organization of Women, the Southern Baptist Convention or Ducks Unlimited.
And wishful thinking to the contrary, more medical supplies, more relief agencies, more cholera, influenza, or diphtheria vaccines, more hot meals, potable water, charitable contributions of all kinds, and bumper stickers extolling the efficacy of “Whirled Peas� is not going to change the blood lust of those who regard their religion as an excuse to murder innocents in the name of Allah.

That so-called “right strategy� is being employed. Across the globe, largely unheralded, by civilian and military personnel. To suggest that it is not is simply disingenuous. And arrogant. But to rely solely on such a strategy is not only hopelessly infantile and unrealistic, but frightfully dangerous as well. And as usual, it is someone else who bears the onus of that danger. Think, ideed.

Finally, for those who might want to know what the American military is actually doing, let me suggest that the reports of Michael Yon, or any number of MilBloggers, from Blackfive (http://www.blackfive.net) and the inimitable Sgt. Hook (http://sgthook.com/) to Boots on the Ground, 2005 Tour of Duty (http://www.wegnercrop.com/blogger.html), or any of the hundreds of other such blogs. Such reporting is far more accurate, far more real, than that of any “professional� journalist embedded in his NY or Washington, DC pressroom. Pick a location, pick a service, pick particular unit, and there is a military professional at a keyboard somewhere only too happy to share his or her experiences with the rest of us. This should come as no surprise. These men and women are professionals, in every best sense of the word. And they are the best in the world at what they do, and justifiably proud of that fact… even if some of those whose lives and freedoms they are sworn to defend are sometimes not nearly so proud of them in return.

By Bat One on 11.17.05 03:24

Insurgencies are defeated by purple fingers. Self Government.

Tactics must constantly be adjusted. The strategy is right.

By M. Simon on 11.20.05 02:24