Understanding terrorism

[tw]

Meanwhile, to understand terrorism, then appreciate how the administration may be changing its tune - having learned that the "Mission Accomplished" war is winable ... just like Vietnam. This from Billy Kristol, one of the 40 founders (including Rumsfeld) of "Project for a New American Century":

Bush v. Rumsfeld
Until a few months ago, Bush administration officials refused to speculate on a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq. They criticized those who did talk about withdrawing, arguing that such talk would encourage the terrorists, discourage our friends, and make it harder to win over waverers who wanted to be assured that we would be there to help. The administration's line was simply that we were going to stay the course in Iraq, do what it takes, and win.

The president still tends to say this. But not Defense Department civilian officials, who have recently been willing to indicate a desire to get out, and sooner rather than later. After all, Rumsfeld has said, insurgencies allegedly take a decade or so to defeat. What's more, our presence gives those darned Iraqi allies of ours excuses not to step up to the plate. So let's get a government elected under the new Iraqi constitution, and accelerate our plans to get the troops home. As Rumsfeld said Thursday, "once Iraq is safely in the hands of the Iraqi people and a government that they elect under a new constitution that they are now fashioning, and which should be completed by August 15, our troops will be able to, as the capability of the Iraqi security forces evolve, pass over responsibility to them and then come home." The key "metric" is finding enough Iraqis to whom we can turn over the responsibility for fighting--not defeating the terrorists.

As Newsweek reported last week: "Now the conditions for U.S. withdrawal no longer include a defeated insurgency, Pentagon sources say. The new administration mantra is that the insurgency can be beaten only politically, by the success of Iraq's new government. Indeed, Washington is now less concerned about the insurgents than the unwillingness of Iraq's politicians to make compromises for the sake of national unity. Pentagon planners want to send a spine-stiffening message: the Americans won't be there forever."

But not-so-well-hidden under the pseudo-tough talk of "spine-stiffening" is the inescapable whiff of weakness and defeatism. Rumsfeld either doesn't believe we can win, or doesn't think we can maintain political support for staying, or doesn't believe winning is worth the cost. So we're getting out, under cover of talking about how "political progress is necessary to defeat the insurgency."

[lookout123]

Bruce i haven't seen a report in about a year but i will look around and see if i can dig one up, when i get a chance.

by "very high percentage" i don't mean 90% or anything close. keep in mind that a large number of enlisted are only 1-3 years out of high school. i should have been more specific in my statement, because i was referring to the NCO's and career enlisted. for instance, I am at the base for duty right now. as i look around this unit (we are a little top heavy in my area) i see 3 LT Col's 1 has a Doctorate, 1 a master's, 1 a bachelors. there is 1 major with a bachelor's, 1 captain with a master's. there are 12 enlisted on the floor right now. 3 have master's degrees, (1 working on his doctorate), 3 with bachelor's, (one just entering law school), and 2 with Associate's. that means that half of the enlisted in this area alone have higher than the minimum requirements for a commission - so the only thing that separates them officers is the 12 week course.

on further thought, one of the E-6's will retire as a Major. he gave up his commission due to time constraints. in the last 12 months two of us have been offered the opportunity for commissioning, but declined for personal reasons - in my case i simply can't leave my business to go to a school.

[xoxoxoBruce]

keep in mind that a large number of enlisted are only 1-3 years out of high school.

And a large number of enlisted haven't seen a college for the sand...or mud...or snow.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

And a large number of enlisted haven't seen a college for the sand...or mud...or snow.

When I was younger I met a kid at Fort Dix who was 17. He said his recruiter told him he could get his diploma while in the Army. I don't know if they had regular classes or were just helping him towards a GED.

You are talking about your Reserve unit, I presume, Lookout. Major difference between the educational attainments of the Reserves versus regular career military. Bruce is right about the snow and the sand getting between the pages of those college text books. My Mohican Indian friend who fought in Desert Storm was lured into the military by the promise of a college diploma. Never happened. He became disabled in the First Gulf War and his disability precludes him attending college now. Anyhow, it wasn't the rank and file officers who got us into this mess. It was the politicians in case no one has noticed.

[Griff]

Originally Posted by richlevy

When I was younger I met a kid at Fort Dix who was 17. He said his recruiter told him he could get his diploma while in the Army. I don't know if they had regular classes or were just helping him towards a GED.

My Dad got his GED while he was in the Marines. I think that was pretty common years ago.