Memorial Weekend (And Beyond) Wishes

The New York Times ran a story the other day about how many G.I.s are now questioning the war and their service. This is nothing new for the national paper of record. In fact, it's not even worth linking the specific article, because you can pick up today's paper (or tomorrow's paper. . .these stories are practically written ahead of time) and find a similar story. But the gist of the article is, according to Michael Kamber, that many soldiers are becoming disillusioned with the knowledge that a number of the Iraqi soldiers with whom they team during the day are setting road-side bombs by night.

One can certainly understand these feelings. If anyone has the right to question the mission, it is not the peacenik/anti-war/anti-American Left but rather the troops who witness daily the work that needs to be done and the results of the work that is being done. God bless the men and women who give up the time, effort, and relationships that we hold dear to serve our nation. Risking their lives for human beings who not only demonstrate ungratefulness but also attempt murder has got to be discouraging.

The First Amendment gives The New York Times the right to publish stories about G.I.s' disillusionment with the war. XEKE.com does not advocate silencing The New York Times on these matters. (Publishing information vital to U.S. national security is another matter for another time.) But it's a free country and The Times can write whatever they want on this subject.

[As an aside, it's interesting to note that those who advocate the reinstitution of the "Fairness Doctrine" in broadcast media have no intention of requiring the Michael Kambers and Pinch Sulzbergers of the print-journalism world to find an equal number of G.I.s who approve of the mission or an equal number of Iraqi citizens who appreciate the presence of the American military.]

Getting back to journalism, XEKE.com would like, to see one of these big-time papers actually publish a story advocating an escalation in the war effort to include kicking butt and not taking names.

XEKE.com is not alone in this: We want this war won.

Wars are not fought on a "play-by-play" basis.

Furthermore, we want the feelings of the politically-correct to be ignored in favor of realism. If the anti-war Left is so concerned about the lives of the troops, then I expect them to join me in calling for stepping up the effort to wipe out the enemy, as this is the most expedient way of bringing our troops home successfully and safely. I'd like to see a story, just one, in a major newspaper giving voice to these sentiments just as they give voice to the surrender/retreat/Democrat cause.

And while I'm at it, here are a few other wishes from XEKE.com:

I'd like for the U.S. war strategy to include taking out Muqtada Al-sadr and not worrying about the touchy-feely, political implications that may result. He is a cancer to the region and to the effort and he needs to be eliminated.
As was the policy during the American Revolution, execution should be the punishment for Iraqi soldiers found doing anything other than working towards a free, peaceful Iraq. Anything less, any form of mercy should be the exception, as George Washington sometimes graciously granted, than the rule. If they are found socializing with a terrorist, setting road-side bombs, leaking sensitive information, etc., death should immediately await.
My wish for the American media is to get some perspective. Wars are not fought on a "play-by-play" basis. Mistakes, if we even want to call them mistakes, happen all the time during war. It's the side that makes the most prudent adjustments that wins the battles, and ultimately the war. The media is so caught up thinking that they are part of, or the whole story that they don’t understand that we don't actually care about their analysis . . . we care about the outcome. Hey, media: It's not about you! If you honestly reported the facts, we'd appreciate your efforts. Instead, you editorialize. And that's all you do. Read some war history (perhaps War Made New, by Max Boot) and get some perspective.
Finally, and in thinking of the Memorial Day weekend, I wish more Americans knew the stories of the men and women who join the military.

Just yesterday I met a couple with four children, of which the second-oldest will graduate from high-school in a couple of weeks. Their son is headed for South Carolina shortly thereafter to join the Marines. His older sister recently married a soldier on furlough during his second tour in Iraq, so this son is not naïve with regard to the realities of this war. His mother related to me how she expressed her concern to her son upon learning of his decision to join The Few, The Proud. "The Marines are the hardest, and the most risky," she said. Her son replied, "Mom, I wouldn't want it any other way." Folks, these are our soldiers. Appreciate them. Thank them.

5/27/2007