Why we can't win the war

fear of shiz · Profuse Pontificator

Why we can't win the war

Cat Herder · Understander of unimportant things

Obviously due to the exposure to Global Warming and the ACLU...

salesortonscom · Wise and Revered Master

This war could be won if the lawyers weren't involved and we actually wanted to. Sun Tsu would probably laugh if he saw how we conducted war today.

fear of shiz · Profuse Pontificator

I really like the "likening of the scriptures" going on here:

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODQ1ODVlYTQ1ZGE0MmU5MDUzZDVhNTAxZGQwYTJiZjA=

Key quote:

We hear voices ... telling us that all is lost, that there is no hope. Iraq is lost, they say, and Iran must be appeased. I was just invited to a conference on how to live with a nuclear Iran. There will be more such voices, perhaps even a consensus that we cannot win, and must accept our doom.

Joshua and Caleb saw more deeply, realized that their war could be won, and their cause was just, and refused to surrender to the consensus of the ten. In the end, they were proven correct, the war was won, and the Jews became a free people.

Roper · Senior Bucketkeeper

salesortonscom wrote:
Sun Tsu would probably laugh if he saw how we conducted war today.

I think we went in knowing ourself and not knowing our enemy very well. Now the dynamics have changed: We know our enemy very well, but we seem to be losing the knowledge of ourself. Sun Tzu's wisdom is predictive and descriptive at this point--a defeat for every victory.

Cat Herder · Understander of unimportant things

Speaking of Sun Tzu, I have always wondered if there is any benefit to someone like me to read his work.

What do you think?

salesortonscom · Wise and Revered Master

Yes, many of Sun Tzu's words can apply to other situations in life. It has been read by many business leaders. It also makes for an interesting read. There are several different translations available. The version I read was the Giles translation which was very good. The one I read had some neat little stories about ancient chinese warriors and kings that did or did not follow the rules that Sun Tzu laid out. The one I have has a forward by James Clavel. It also isn't very long and can be read easilly. There are several places online where you can read it for free also as the translation is old and the copywrite went bye bye a long time ago.

lundbaek · Profuse Pontificator

Insights into the intended outcome of the Iraq war may be gained by looking closely at the conduct of the Korean and Vietman wars, and even elements of WW2.

Organist · Senior Member

I think there are several factors why "winning" in Iraq is so tough and may not be fully accomplished.
1. The different Iraqi factions have deep and bitter vendettas with each other. Though, the small amount of retaliation for yesterday's shrine attack is a good sign, maybe those who were eager for blood have had enough war. We can only hope.

2. We are a divided nation with little personal sacrifice invested in the war. I've had to say goodbye to a few of my friends for a year at a time, but fortunately they have all come back. Despite the nearly 26,000 American men and women who have been killed or wounded, the personal sacrifice has been minimal for most Americans.

The war is being paid for mostly through debt rather than directly. Taxes are being cut. I am generally for tax cuts because they theoretically help stimulate an economy and increase revenues. But we aren't using our surplus for the war, and I'm not convinced that the current increased revenue is due to cutting taxes.

A tax increase to pay directly for the war would be a huge symbol of solidarity and sacrifice of all Americans. I think individual sacrifice would be worth more than my general aversion of taxes, because I know directly where it is going (not a pork barrel project).

I know various columnists have spoken about this in the past, but I think as a way to simply criticize President Bush. I am writing this because I think it is a way to win. If it takes rationing, do it. Do what it takes.

If we joined together in some sort of personal sacrifice we could end this war quickly. Unity is that strong.

rayb · Hot Air Balloon

Should the Iraqis be happy that America has decided to fight AlQueda in their country?

Sadly there are no disposable countries, and it's a very difficult war to win, considering the enemy is a brutal secret combination... That said, it's not the only secret combination around, either...

--Ray

Roper · Senior Bucketkeeper

Al-Qaida in Iraq is as much a threat to other Muslims as it is to Americans. And so we're now engaging in a strategy that has sometimes succeeded and sometimes failed--we're arming our enemy's enemy. Yep--we're giving weapons and training to Sunni insurgents that just months ago were killing US forces. We're also recording all the serial numbers of the weapons and the retina scans and fingerprints of those who receive them. If they ever turn against us, there will be Hell to pay. So far, it seems to be working on a small scale. The Sunnis realize that if they want any kind of long-term influence in Iraq, and any hope of peace, they have to work to eliminate Al-Qaida.