Why we fight
Many people who find out that I served in Iraq ask me for my thoughts on “the War.” They all have their own opinions. I tend to think that my opinion is not really that important. Valid, yes; but not important. But then the more that I hear the rubbish espoused by so many who have no clue what they are talking about and I get more vocal about what I believe. And it is not just talk and words. If I really believe in this fight, then I must be willing to go back (I do and I am). I have many friends there now and my brother will be leaving this next year for his own turn. So I have set forth to summarize my thoughts about “the War.”
First, I am tired of the bodies of our heroes, my bothers and sisters in arms becoming political leverage as if to say that war cannot be the answer. Just because someone dies in a cause does not make that death tragic. We all knew what we were getting into. (At least the Marines know what they are getting into, and I think that the rest of our servicemen and women do as well.) How would these critics have responded to World War II. The casualties we have suffered so far are nothing compared to a bad day back then. Many hundreds of thousands of good people died and it had a point and a purpose. So do our deaths now. We have meaning and purpose by sticking to it and making these deaths result in something meaningful. I really dislike it when people try to focus on the human side so strongly (and the pain is real!) that they lose sight of the objective. If I die, I do not want to become an argument for withdrawal. Honor me, remember me, but finish what I started. Don’t leave the job undone.
Secondly, it should be clear by now that our enemies in Iraq and elsewhere are determined and will not stop this fight on their own accord. It is much better to be fighting these terrorists in Iraq where it is their country that is destroyed and their schools bombed and statesmen and women who are assassinated. It is better that this fight goes on there than fighting the same people here on our streets where stray rounds strike our own kids and our homes become targets for some demented fool. Understand this clearly. If we stop fighting before this is finished in Iraq in a ‘bring the boys home” response to the mounting casualties, we will find ourselves facing the same foes back here in America. It is just a matter of time.
First, I am tired of the bodies of our heroes, my bothers and sisters in arms becoming political leverage as if to say that war cannot be the answer. Just because someone dies in a cause does not make that death tragic. We all knew what we were getting into. (At least the Marines know what they are getting into, and I think that the rest of our servicemen and women do as well.) How would these critics have responded to World War II. The casualties we have suffered so far are nothing compared to a bad day back then. Many hundreds of thousands of good people died and it had a point and a purpose. So do our deaths now. We have meaning and purpose by sticking to it and making these deaths result in something meaningful. I really dislike it when people try to focus on the human side so strongly (and the pain is real!) that they lose sight of the objective. If I die, I do not want to become an argument for withdrawal. Honor me, remember me, but finish what I started. Don’t leave the job undone.
Secondly, it should be clear by now that our enemies in Iraq and elsewhere are determined and will not stop this fight on their own accord. It is much better to be fighting these terrorists in Iraq where it is their country that is destroyed and their schools bombed and statesmen and women who are assassinated. It is better that this fight goes on there than fighting the same people here on our streets where stray rounds strike our own kids and our homes become targets for some demented fool. Understand this clearly. If we stop fighting before this is finished in Iraq in a ‘bring the boys home” response to the mounting casualties, we will find ourselves facing the same foes back here in America. It is just a matter of time.
posted by David Sackett | 00:01
2 Comments:
Professor Sackett:
I enjoy your blog and especially your commentary on "the war." Some humility and what I see as common sense is refreshing on campus.
God bless.
-jw
Prof. Sackett~
I LOVE this blog! I am conservative and I feel that I am arguing constantly with people about our reasons for being overseas, but I feel this perfectly sums it up. Definitly enjoyed reading it!
CT
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