MaxedOutMama

I am writing this on Monday evening at 1700 GMT for publication long after the polls have closed on Tuesday but with the results probably still unknown. I wanted to write this while my thoughts were still fresh and prior to the election itself.

Many know that I am a reservist and recently went on a short tour in SW Asia. My duties have been varied largely along the lines of “special projects.” Currently I have been assisting in a Civil Affairs Function in Afghanistan because of a prior tour in that capacity.

This morning, I met with community leaders in a typical Afghanistan village. After our business was conducted, I was surprised by their interest in our election. While their knowledge of the mechanics of our election was on par with Americans understanding elections in Canada, they were keenly interested.

The first point that they made was this election was “between President Bush’s party and those that want to abandon Iraq.” That caught me off guard and I had to verify with my translator that “abandon” was the correct translation.

They next expressed that the Taliban would be emboldened by an Iraq pullout and that co-operation between the Afghani People and American/NATO forces would come to a halt. You have to realize that the Afghani People have little choice here. The moment they sense the mere possibility/suggestion of American Forces leaving, they will realign themselves with the Taliban. Further, the Taliban will effectively exploit American “redeployment from” Iraq. I left that exchange shaken, something that I have never felt before.

So where does all this leave America, our friends in SW Asia, my friends in Afghanistan, my uniformed comrades and myself?

Lets assume that as this blog is published, Democrats have gained control of the House. They have already stated their “position” on Iraq. The best case is that they will force our hand ans simply push a complete withdrawal from Iraq. The worse case is that they will slowly force our hand to withdrawal by cutting funding piece by piece.

What is my position at that point? If Democrats have gained control of the House, I will do everything in my soul so that we simply and immediately withdrawal completely from Iraq and not redeploy to Okinawa, but to redeploy to the United States since it will make no difference if we have troops in Okinawa or the United States. The “Okinawa Plan” is old timer thinking by Murtha and alike. Also, at that point the withdrawal needs to be complete and prompt as American Forces will be constantly targeted once the Democrats have played their hand.

Further, because every action we take in Iraq has consequences in Afghanistan, a prompt redeployment from that area will also need to take place. Our only tool in that region is the trust of the Afghan People and that trust will falter due to the fear of the Taliban.

If the Democrats are in power and want a “pullout” fine, lets do it and do it right and that is a complete withdrawal from SW Asia. My friends, there is no other choice, a deal can not be made where we do anything part way. It is all or nothing and that is the sad reality. The “final failure” of Vietnam was the “long withdrawal” after Congress became intent on the idea of pulling out. That mistake must not be made again. I ask my fellow conservatives to help make sure the troops are brought home and they are brought home now.
-- Oak Leaf

As long as my nephew is dodging IEDs in Iraq I'll give her a finger, not a chance. It's not going to be a fun two years if you're walking the streets of Baghdad facing an emboldened enemy who thinks they've influenced American elections with 104 casualties in one month. I guess they're right, what little testicular fortitude Americans have left has been sent to Iraq.

Thanks, pinkos. You just made life alot more dangerous for our deployed family members.

Propaganda is propaganda and that is how hajji measures victory. They cannot defeat us in any way but by sapping the will of the country to fight an extended war. Photos like this give them that victory. Period!

I find it interesting that you would laud the NYT for the "truth". Which truth? Who's truth? The muj? The Left? Your's? Just how in the hell did that hajji sniper know how to defeat the LCpl's body armor? From your heroes at the NYT perhaps? That lovely spread with diagrams showing how to defeat our body armor maybe? But hey, it's only the "truth" correct? And if that was your son in the photos then what? I know that LCpl, I know what combat looks like, and that did nothing but piss me off.

It's all about making us cut and run. End of story. I had the lovely pleasure of having the muj send me a video of a Marine standing next to my son taking a round in the head. Came through the BN fotopage I kept. That would be nothing more than the "truth" too right? Nothing but needing to know the "facts" correct? The two are one and the same. No difference what-so-ever.

I guess you also felt the airing of the muj snuff video by CNN was also a need to know as well eh? I agree that the NYT' Chivers at least handled the story with the brevity it deserved but to place a photo of a wounded Marine on the front page is a victory for the muj. Plain and simple. Yes, the story was riveting but people that do not want to see the result of a sniper's bullet had no choice in whether to view it or not now did they? Including the young LCpl's family. Thank you for their concern! The NYT may be your heroes but to me they suck. Our BN has paid a heavy price for their sedition. Were it you could see that!

Everyone knows that combat footage is a part of reporting war. We also know when it is being used as propaganda. I would suspect that Sites' Pulitzer winning footage of a young Marine doing a double tap was nothing more than the "truth" as well and that is just sad. I guess the study of war reporting throughout our history would turn up hundreds, if not thousands, of propaganda pieces for our enemies. Correct? This war is all about fighting a media campaign!

BTW, I've spoken with my son and a dozen other three and four tour combat Marines. To a man they condemn putting their friend on the front page of the NYT. To say they were ticked would be an understatement. I've also heard back from two dozen Marine families and not one was anything but disgusted with this.

To answer your question; "Why stop the New York Times from showing and telling the TRUTH!"

Quite simply because it gets Marines killed, creates a win for the muj, and causes an uptick in sniper fire.

There will be no honest withdrawal. There will be micromanaging. There will be posturing. There will be trying to play both ends.

The problem with the Democratic leadership is that they cannot possibly please the "Bush Lied" folk and prosecute any war. If they pull out little by little and things go worse and worse they can justify the next pull-back, "See? That part of the War on Terror isn't working, either." It will be death by a thousand cuts. The terrorists will be emboldened. The remaining troops will be in danger. Many lives will be lost.

In my world honor, duty, and Country are more than words, they actually mean something. Here in my world courage, integrity, and strength aren't just for the cameras, they are tools we use everyday.

I still believe that faith in God and faith in my fellow man are virtues. And ethics are what we practice, not just the name of a committee. There are such things are right and wrong, it doesn't depend on the situation.