Historically, anytime our way of life was threatened or attacked, we collectively arose in defense of the values and virtues of a nation determined to protect that way of life. We did so without hesitation...and we did so without concern to whom we would offend in the process. Leaders trusted and empowered our military to step forward to protect the citizens of America against the tyranny of a cruel world. Our military faithfully and honorably stepped forward with the courage and conviction to win, unapologetically!
When Hitler rose to power and began proliferating a cancer of hate across the world, America recognized it for what it was—evil, plain and simple. We didn't apologize for our differences in
When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December, 1941, America responded with an immediate resolve of a nation determined to avenge the unprovoked attack on its citizens. Any opposition to the US entering the war was quickly silenced by the attack on Pearl Harbor. Calls from a united America to "Remember Pearl Harbor" empowered a nation through solidarity and a firm resolve to stand tall against evil. President Roosevelt acted quickly and signed a Declaration of War the day following the attack. Historians believe the Pearl Harbor attack "doomed" the Japanese nation because they "awoke a sleeping giant." In short, America had a resolve to win and did so decisively with a crushing blow to the nation of Japan without regard to world opinion on its methods of awakening the sleeping giant. The Japanese people received a message, as did the world...America is a nation one would pay a heavy consequence should it dare attack.
The war in Viet Nam changed the chapter and the manner in which America handles its aggressors. Politicians arrested the power customarily provided to military leaders to prosecute war. The hands of our military were tied for the first time, essentially opening the door to what we now see as a nation more concerned with the over-sensitive feelings of the world instead of one that proudly stands guard against evil in its many forms, to include terrorism. Somewhere along the course of time citizens became more sensitive to how we handled threats against the American way of life. Demonstrations ensued. Politicians became "uncomfortable." Public sentiment and the concern for reelection drove political policy and subverted military rules of engagement. Clouded judgment negatively affected the primary responsibility of our leaders to employ the full weight of our might to protect the citizens and the values of the United States of America. We had somehow, suddenly forgotten the way to win...9/11 was a series of terrorist attacks coordinated by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda. Cited as reasons for the attacks were America's support of Israel, its presence in Saudi Arabia, and sanctions against Iraq and its regime for the aggressive actions of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. The attacks galvanized a nation and once again, "awoke a sleeping giant." The reemergence of this mantra begs the obvious question on why the giant continues to sleep.
We continue to fight global terrorism to this day. The attacks of 9/11, London 7/7, Madrid, Boston, Fort Hood, Oklahoma beheading, the beheadings of Daniel Pearl, Nick Berg, James Foley, and Steven Sotloff, school children massacres...all perpetuated by radical Islamist terrorists (al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, ISIS, to name the most notorious among them) determined to spew evil throughout the world in the name of a distorted view of their religious beliefs. To be clear, they are wrong and we know it, as do others of the Islamic faith who have not distorted the teachings of their religion. Where is the collective resolve of global nations and their leaders? Where is the will to win?
The recent attacks in Paris France remind us that America and Israel are no longer the only nations in the terrorist crosshairs of radical Islam. Hours after Friday's standoffs ended, al-Qaeda's radical Islamic terrorist branch in Yemen said it had "directed" the massacre in Paris "as revenge for the honor" of prophet Mohammed, according to a statement released. They have taken it upon themselves to kill in the name of religion. So how do we win the war against radical Islamic terrorism? How do we win against any form of terrorism? The same way we've always won wars. We remember the lessons of those whom have gone before us.
- We employ decisive tactics supported by proven doctrine shown to be an effective deterrent against such cowardly acts and atrocities.
- We identify the enemy, call them what they are, and bring the only negotiation tactic they fully understand—the full weight and power of a collective people determined to rid the world of hate.
- We set aside political ideologies and concerns for sensitivity. After all, this is war! There is no room for such concerns.
- We employ the technologies for which our nation and our allies are known for through precision strikes, rapid and timely intelligence, and decisive action.
- We tirelessly hunt our enemies and hit them hard when we find them while we continue to mitigate the second and third order effects of collateral damage and fratricide.
- We untie the hands of our intelligence agencies and empower our military leaders to prosecute war and lead us to victory.
- We retain enemy combatants and prosecute war criminals appropriately and swiftly.
The proverbial schoolyard bully knows all too well who he or she can assault without a threat of retaliation. They can be reasoned with, bribed with favors, or avoided altogether, yet the most effective course of action to take against such bullies is a courageous, direct approach. Such is the case when dealing with fully-grow adult terrorists and enemy combatants.
We cannot expect to reason with our aggressors. We cannot expect a favorable, peaceful outcome or resolution to any degree of certainty by giving in to threatening demands and the ideology of a corrupt sect of the world's population. Tolerance will not work. Denial will not work. Sanctions will not work and will only serve to inflame the situation. A firm resolve coupled by the heavy hand of a determined coalition of peaceful nations will work. Let us not forget that this is the way to win!
- G -
"Those who deny freedom deserve it not for themselves."
~ Abraham Lincoln
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