Author Topic: Are Americans really ready for "WAR"?? (Read 1750 times)

discod · « **on:** September 21, 2001, 02:14:00 PM »

Everyone seems to agree that the terrorist actions were terrible and deserve justice. But there seems to be a lot of wishy-washyness in the country these days about what and how we should bring justice.

It got me to thinking that maybe it's been so long since America has fought a war to defend our own freedom that people have forgotton what war is.

Americans are used to being the "policemen" of the world, the "good guys". We are used to watching our armed forces on CNN help some small country somewhere on the other side of the planet and we cheer for our troops and then change the chanel and watch sitcoms.

I think most Americans have forgotton what a "war" is, so let me remind you "WAR IS HELL"

War is not:
- "Tolerance"
- "Let's negotiate and hope nobody gets hurt"
- "Let's reason with the enemy and send them some money"
- "Let's drop a bomb or two on them and then run before anyone gets hurt"
- "Let's not squash the enemy because that would be mean"

I'll say it again... WAR IS HELL!!

If we are going to "war" on terrorisim then people need to wake up and realize that it's not going to be pretty, we are not going to look like the "good guy" all the time. We are not going to enjoy the same easy lifestyle we have during peacetime. We are going to be at risk, people will get hurt, we will do some terrible things to our enemies.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think this country has made an official declaration of WAR since WWII. War is a committment to practically stop at nothing to defeat the enemy.

My fear is that we as Americans are all pretty pissed off at the terrorists and we want to kick thier butts but...are we really ready to go to war? If we do then we need to stand behind our country and support it 100%. One of the worst things for a country is to go into a war half heartedly and with so-so support from it's citizens.

Once we make the committment we have to stand by it and see it through. And it's not going to be easy or pretty or quick. If we become a divided nation over this issue then we will loose. It would be like a boxer going into a match and only using one hand against an opponent with 2.

One last thought. I beleive that Terrorists are as big or bigger of a threat to our way of life as any other enemy we have ever faced. To illustrate the power of terrorisim consider this...

What would happen to our country if on one day there were just 50 simultaneous bombings of public places (schools, malls, footbal games, etc) in every single state in the United States? It only takes 50 terroists to pull it off and our leaders know that those sort of attacks are a very real threat. The amount of chaos, panic and economic disturbence of this kind of attack could cause is scary to think about.

We need to go to war to defeat this enemy, and I have confidence that our country will fight this war in very non-conventional ways and be very smart about it. Like the Doolittle raid in WWII, most Americans will not even know about many events of this WAR until they have long passed.

Your family and friends are at greater risk from this enemy than any other we have encountered. They have already said that they don't care if they are school children or pregnant mothers, they will kill any of us!

We must stop this enemy before they get too strong.

Tac · « **Reply #1 on:** September 21, 2001, 02:19:00 PM »

Read up on Colombian history. Thats what will happen if decisive measures are not taken. NOW.

Toad · « **Reply #2 on:** September 21, 2001, 02:27:00 PM »

"I say to the House as I said to ministers who have joined this government, I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many months of struggle and suffering.

You ask, what is our policy? I say it is to wage war by land, sea, and air. War with all our might and with all the strength God has given us, and to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy.

You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs - Victory in spite of all terrors - Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival." - May 13, 1940, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill

Like Yogi says: "It's Deja Vu all over again."

Skuzzy · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2001, 02:59:00 PM »

Ahh, Churchill,....now there was a man who did not mince words. Got goosebumps reading that Toad.
Amazing how well it fits today.

popeye · « **Reply #4 on:** September 21, 2001, 03:17:00 PM »

Our first test as a nation was to heed the call to "hang tough" in the stock market....

Hope we do better on the second test.

Sandman · « **Reply #5 on:** September 21, 2001, 03:19:00 PM »

As I understand it, I think Churchill had a much easier diplomatic task. The sides were for the most part clearly divided and the economy wasn't as intertwined then as it is now between countries.

I believe that the task before Bush is more difficult than anything any of us have ever imagined. He needs to demonstrate U.S. resolve without sacrificing our important alliances in our zeal to obtain justice.

A war on terrorism is one thing. A third world war is quite another.

Bush has drawn the line in the sand quite clearly, and it's what the nation and the world needs to hear, but diplomacy still continues.

Gadfly · « **Reply #6 on:** September 21, 2001, 03:28:00 PM »

This is the third world war, I hate to tell you. It is global in extent, and in particpating nations.

easymo · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2001, 03:51:00 PM »

About a week after I arrived at that other war, a solider showed me a photograph. It was a special forces Sergeant posing with one foot on top of a pile of headless corpses's. He had one of those shorty M-16 in one hand, and the heads in the other. He was smiling from ear to ear, and looked like an elephant hunter posing with his trophy.

I was a teenager at the time, so I found this photo very, shocking. Looking back on it my buddy did me a favor showing me that picture. Any allusions I had about the "glories" of war went right out the window. It proved to be a good preparation for the year that lay ahead of me.

What they are digging out of the rubble in New York right now is every bit as bad. For obvious reasons they are not showing us this on T.V. How ever, we can imagine it. And it should serve to prepare us for what is to come. War is a messy, ugly, process. But it is just a process. Americans have been through it before. And though we cant go through it with out getting dirty, we will get through it. And we will prevail.

Eagler · « **Reply #8 on:** September 21, 2001, 04:34:00 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by easymo:

What they are digging out of the rubble in New York right now is every bit as bad. For obvious reasons they are not showing us this on T.V. How ever, we can imagine it. And it should serve to prepare us for what is to come.

Sometimes I wonder if, in some respectful way to those left behind, if showing more of the carnage this terrorist act has created, wouldn't steel those that are wishy washy in their support of this country and the upcoming conflict..

You know they, foreign journalist, will be showing every bloody example of our retribution in an attempt to split this country on its resolve..

easymo · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2001, 04:42:00 PM »

Good point eagler.

Greese · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2001, 04:42:00 PM »

This may be a tad off topic, but does anyone remember the space shuttle doing earth mapping here about a year ago or so?

If my memory serves me correctly (often it doesn't) they were going to be able to map the earth down to the foxhole with the information they were gathering. They were not going to make the maps public, instead, use them for military purposes.

Seems that we might have a better idea of what is going on over there than what is being publicized. I think with that sort of infortmation, fighting a ground war may be a bit easier. I don't believe much about what is being publicized about our military and their actions these days. I don't honestly believe they would be making public all of their plans and actions, especially in light of who our enemy is.

Back on topic, war is an ugly thing, but something tells me that we are more advantaged than what the general public is aware. Maybe I'm wrong.

[ 09-21-2001: Message edited by: Greese ]

batdog · « **Reply #11 on:** September 21, 2001, 08:30:00 PM »

The gov is being alot more "hush" than it was in the gulf and such.

I still remember seeing reporters in Somolia w/friggen spot lights on the SEALS as the swam to shore. THAT was one of the most sickening and stupid moments of the national press I have ever seen. I understand the press isnt being allowed to go w/our forces this time...prob due to thier handsomehunk actions earlier.

xBAT

popeye · « **Reply #12 on:** September 21, 2001, 08:44:00 PM »

Press coverage of the Gulf War was only what the gov wanted to show. They learned a lesson in Viet Nam.

easymo · « **Reply #13 on:** September 21, 2001, 09:20:00 PM »

A friend once told me a story about newsweenies.

His unit was drawing sniper fire, when a this guy stuck a mic in his face and ask how he felt about what was happening. Understandably my friend did not appreciate extra attention being drawn to his position. Resting the barrel of his M-14 on top of the guys foot. My friend replied. I feel like you had better get away from me.

This is a procedure I recommend

ispar · « **Reply #14 on:** September 21, 2001, 09:50:00 PM »

I love this country. I support this country. I stand behind it and hope fervently for justice. I am not "wishy-washy" - I am firm in resolve. Firm in my resolve that I will NOT support a war and will say anything I can to try to stay it. In the end it will do no good. When we finally enter whatever conflict this is to be, I pray that those of who say that we can swiftly deliver justice and not cause an explosion are correct. I pray that we can understand that we are not moving toward resolution, but destruction, and that we can find an answer.

I do love this country, but I do not claim exclusive loyalty to it. I feel a special attachment to it, but that doesn't change a fundamental fact: my "people" are not Americans, but simply people, wherever they may be.

It may be that it is too late to stop THIS war, but that is nothing but our own doing. Not "them," not "us," all of us. And to think that we are now in a war (something that we should of done long ago, you say - why? War should never be done) through no evil but that of the terrorists is simply blind reasoning and arrogance.

There are far greater causes than the United States. We are not a nation of God, but a nation of people. Afghanistan is a nation of people. Earth is a world of people. We are different, but on that fundamental, very important level we are the same, and war and violence deny that unity.

I'm sorry, but this is not about me thinking a war is tolerance. This is not about me thinking that war is any of what you said, discod. This is about me absolutely denying war and what it means. Justice is possible without war, but we have never found a way to make it work for us. And because of that we have grown cynical. Listen to yourselves. "Violence is the only language they understand," you say. Well it's too late now perhaps you are right. But who is to blame for that? Who is really to blame?

I openly and utterly deny all forms of violence and military conflict. That is what I stand against, and what I stand here for. Not the United States. Not for any government on Earth. There is no wishy-washiness here. Is your question answered?