A Second American Defeat?

Dan Abbett

Philosopher George Santayana was on to something in his famous quote, “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat their mistakes.” The United States of America made a reprehensible mistake when it turned its back once before on a nation it swore to defend. Will we be so persuaded to repeat that mistake in Iraq? As a gutless body of elected officials approach another election, the unmistakable answer appears to be yes.

War is apolitical, or at least it should be. For today’s politicians however, no issue, regardless of consequence is off limits. The truth was out when a vote was called in the House of Representatives for an immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq. The 403 to 3 or 99.25% to .75% vote against the amendment was revealing.

In spite of the rhetoric of those who criticize the war, those who claim they were “tricked” into voting for the war and those who believe we should withdraw, less than 1% had the guts to stand behind their conviction. Even more repugnant was their audacity to cry foul for being called to account. Regardless of that truth however, these “lower than snake slime” politicians will continue to contrive failure in Iraq.

Why? Because their first duty is to themselves and political power. The lives of 27 million souls left in the lurch be damned, let alone actually acting on their demand for action toward a Mid-East peace.

It was appropriate for the Bush Administration to expose the hypocrisy of the “Bush Lied” crowd, by pointing out that they were saying exactly the same thing at the time. Expecting reason however, from a mentality that continues to deny reality in spite of being confronted with hand deeply inserted in the cookie jar, is hopeless.

What to do then about an ideology that refuses to stand for anything and deny their own words, even when it is shown to be on the record? Would that it were as simple as relegating them to their whims of fantasy but they are aided and abetted by their partners, the Mediacrats. One lies, and the other swears to it.

What is referred to, as the “mainstream media,” has been mostly successful in throwing a wet blanket on the support for the war in Iraq. Mainstream media is in quotes because the term is increasingly becoming an oxymoron. What is unclear in the role of the press, is whether they are truly sincere in their positions on the issues or simply obsessed with being the next reporter to “bring down a president.” Blind faith to their liberal indoctrination doesn’t help.

This combination of power crazed politicians and a politically motivated media has placed our national security in an extremely vulnerable position. We entered the war in Iraq with a policy of “Shock and Awe.” We have since proceeded to fight John Kerry’s “more sensitive war.” There is a place for sensitivity, to the children, to a people, to the ideal of democracy and the human condition. Sensitivity has no place in battle however and must not be wasted on our enemy.

The talk of withdrawal from Iraq is no longer a question. The question from both the left and the right is how, when and how many. The answer has always been when it is determined that the new government, to be elected in less than three weeks, is sufficiently capable of governing and defending that volatile region. That time is clearly on the horizon but it will still take time to ensure success.

Thirty years ago, we left a nation to fend for itself to meet a political end. In so doing, we lost the war with horrific consequence. Thirty years later, we find ourselves on the threshold of the quote from George Santayana. Will history repeat itself?

Email: danabbett1@charter.net