Dec 02 2009
The President Has Spoken – Words of Wisdom Or Just Abstract Words
Photo courtesy of CNN
Not to be sarcastic but listening to President Obama’s speech on his justification for war in Afghanistan, I was reminded of Kenny Rodgers song, “The Gambler” which I believe is relevant in many aspects of life but especially important in the “game” of war.
Rodgers believes that when it comes to gambling, as it relates to cards, you have to “Know when to hold ‘em, know when to fold ‘em, know when to walk away, know when to run.” While I am not suggesting that we run from Afghanistan, maybe it is time to walk away.
Rodgers goes on to say that “ev’ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin’ is knowin’ what to throw away and knowing what to keep.” The war in Afghanistan has proven to be a gamble, a gamble that has become, thus far, a losing hand but instead of rising from the table, we dive deeper in with no real “ace” that we can keep to increase the chances of “winning” because there is no winning this war.
Although the origins of the war in Afghanistan can be found in the September 11, 2001, brutal assault on American soil, since that time this war has turned into something totally different. Osama bin Laden, the primary culprit of the 9/11 tragedy was not captured and while al-Qaeda may have been disrupted and scattered, in the ensuing battles, they did not go far, just over the border to Pakistan.
Pakistan, being in possession of nuclear armament is a more dangerous place for al-Qaeda to be and so United States has put pressure on the Pakistani government as well as the Afghan government to eliminate this extremist presence from their lands. However, does this eliminate the threat to the United States?
President Obama seems to think that “the security of America is at stake in Afghanistan and Pakistan” based on the fact that these are the epicenters of the violent extremist. This based on the idea/fact that it was from there that the attack of 9/11 was planned and executed.
While this could be true, it is also true that the planning could have taken place anywhere there is a place to meet and plan. It is also true that this could and does happen here on American soil.
Now most people know that when playing cards you do not expose your hand to other players. This is exactly what Obama did last night as he outlined his war strategy to the American people, thereby to the enemy being fought in Afghanistan.
He not only outlined his war strategy but he outlined his exit strategy. A smart opponent would take these words and devise an aggressive offensive/defensive to offset what they knew was coming. Was this a wise decision to verbalize this strategy to appease the American public, thereby putting them in further danger?
Somehow, the knowing makes me more leery because I recognize that not only do I know but the enemy knows as well, just what the plans are. I say justification is one thing, exposing your hand is something totally different and for me Obama exposed the hand he was playing.
Even as Obama discussed the occupation of Afghan by the Soviet Union and by foreign al-Qaeda fighters, he attempted to dispel the idea that American’s occupation of Afghanistan was the same. He implies that somehow the difference is in fact that America seeks an end to this era of war and suffering in Afghanistan and looking straight into the camera as though he was speaking directly to the terrorist he states that, “we”, as Americans, “have no interest in occupying your country.”
Regardless of this truth, that America has no interest in occupying their country, the perception, by the “enemy,” or should I say opposition, is that America’s involvement, with a heavy presence of military power, is the same as an occupation, an occupation that steps up the violence of the Taliban in an attempt to force eradication of the foreign, unwanted occupation in their land.
These are just some of the things my mind reviewed as I watched the President speak. Trust me, I am in Obama’s corner on most things I see him attempting to do, but I can not help but wonder if this move to send more troops to Afghanistan is more political than rational.
I question Obama’s inability to recognize that the time to walk away is upon us, after eight years of war with nothing really accomplished. I question his divulgence of war strategy, and wonder if this is nothing more than the game of politics, an attempt to earn brownie points from across the isle, an opportunity to get bi-partisan support for at least one of his proposals even though there are some in his own party that have expressed ill-will towards further involvement in this war effort.
While I do not profess to know all the ins and outs, what I do know is that what I heard last night was by no means a rational justification for the continuation of this war, to the money being spent or the lives yet to be lost.
While on some levels his speech, as always, was motivational with his talk of mutual respect, an end to suffering, an end to nuclear weapons, hope and unity in America, his exposing the plan, limiting the effort with a planned and verbalized exit strategy and convincing himself that planning attacks on American soil will stop simply by disrupting the Taliban/al-Qaeda, for he will not succeed in erasing the hate for America these people harbor, for me is unrealistic.
However, my understanding of this speech may be based on my personal views of war – I am fundamentally against war.
And that’s the way I see it!!!
Forum Mid Grn Shoes




















