Win or Go Home

Here is an excellent commentary on the present war in Iraq. It basically says what a lot of us have been saying: If you are going to wage war, go to win. If you don't have the stomach to do what it takes to win, then go home. Here are some excerpts, for those who don't want to read the whole thing:

Although the United States has sustained more than 3,000 battle deaths and has spent billions of dollars in Iraq, the nation's overall fight against Saddam Hussein and his successors has been marked by hesitation and half-steps.

That's how wars are lost.

The Allies won WWII against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan with an all-out effort and resolute orders from the top. President Franklin Roosevelt called for "total war" on the Axis powers. He demanded "unconditional surrender."

Roosevelt's reference to "total war" was not mere rhetoric. Total war means everything belonging to the enemy is a potential target – their factories, their cities, even their civilians.

...when the US has fought "total" wars during the past 150 years, it has always won, including the Civil War and World War II.

As the US fights its one-handed campaign, the insurgents are waging their own version of "total war": It's not just US and British forces being targeted in Iraq, but mosques, churches, open-air markets, restaurants, shops, government buildings, street corners – anywhere people gather. The carnage is spreading.

What is immoral is war itself. Once full-scale war has broken out it can never be humanized or civilized...."

...and if one side attempted to do so [wage a humanized war] it would be most likely to be defeated."

Defeated indeed. The insurgents will win unless we resolve to fight a "total war".
Randy Taylor over at Northeast Intelligence Network gives a perfect description of Islam. It is like a vicious dog. If you stand your ground, chances are good that the dog will back down. If not and you are bitten, at least you saw it coming and were able to defend yourself in the best way you could. If you run, however, the dog becomes emboldened by your fear, chases you down and attacks you with even greater viciousness. If we retreat and hole up here in the States, the Islamic terrorists (viscious dogs) will bring their total war to our neighborhood. Then we'll all either have to lock and load or start praying toward Mecca five times a day.