In Part 1, I wrote of my concern over the constant drumbeat that Americans have become war-weary, a belief attributed to President Obama, his supporters, and an adoring media.
I believe Americans are Obama-weary. They simply cannot support a commander-in-chief who is unwilling to use what is still the best fighting force on the planet. And it doesn’t help when his generals echo his belief.
The Military Oath courtesy of the angelfire.com
When I hear the president say he’s not going to send our troops into harm’s way, I am reminded of a recent exchange between Fox’s Melissa Francis and a fellow panelist. Francis had just made a strong position for U.S. involvement in Iraq when she was asked, “would you send your son or daughter?” Embarrassingly, she said, “no,” and was not pleased with herself.
There was no reason for her to be embarrassed. We have an all-volunteer military, a courageous group of warriors, men and women, who sign up knowing that they are signing up for war.
It doesn’t mean that their mothers and fathers, wives and daughters should not be concerned for the service member, but they know the meaning of volunteer. When their president shows weakness, they find it difficult to show confidence.
Those who have served in previous war “draws,” including many who have come home with serious injuries, have reason to be war-weary, especially those who have had several deployments. Most of them, however, are proud of their service.
While the president may himself be war-weary, it is duty as commander-in-chief to inspire the troops. Yes, he was elected with the promise that he would get us out of Iraq and Afghanistan, but not everyone believes in the way he’s going about it.
He said al Qaeda was on the run and later insisted that ISIL fighters were “JV.” His response has been to show more weakness, and it couldn’t be more clearly stated than to continue to tell the enemy that Americans are war-weary, while reminding them he will not order boots on the ground. And telling them he has no plan doesn’t help either.
I think we do need to put some boots on the ground in Iraq. Special Forces with specific missions to root out ISIL and target the locations of leaders for drone or fighter strikes.
But frankly, I don’t trust the president to give them the orders to win. I believe he is using the “war-weariness” excuse to further kick the can down the road with the plan to leave the cleaning up to the next administration.
Read Part 1, dated June 21, 2015
