One of the joys of Facebook for me has been connecting with other Snethens. These are people with whom the only thing I share is a last name. We frequent each other’s pages almost daily, sharing links and debating the issues of the day. It’s been challenging for all of us, but what I really enjoy is we get to have a robust debate without yelling. We’ll blast one another one moment and begin planning a trip together the next. It’s seriously really cool.
The topic of the moment for us is the Afghan war and what’s taking Obama so damned long to make up his mind on McChrystal’s surge request. As Carl Levin pointed out on NPR tonight, we gave the last president three months to figure out his new course in Iraq. Why are we calling this president indecisive after just a few weeks? Obama’s decision will have implications that will last decades (if you don’t believe me, watch the last fifteen minutes of Charlie Wilson’s War). I would rather he takes his time before deciding how to proceed.
Anyway, tonight’s discussion got me thinking. Actually, it crystallized what I’ve been thinking about this. I wanted to share it. It begins with an admonition that I was going to get long-winded. I frequently get heckled for the length of my responses. The quote is from another Snethen who was, I believe, quoting a soldier he’d found on-line. The rest is me.
Here we go…
Be prepared…I’m gonna get a little wordy again.
“…he told us even in his campaign that this was the war that America should be in and he would do everything in his power to win it, using the advice of his commanders on the ground.”
What we’re watching, potentially, is a president who’s smart and confident enough in himself to, when presented with a fresh set of facts, change his mind. The last one clearly could not until he was presented with no other alternative in November 2006. And even then he took three months to re-evaluate. Now we want this president to turn on a dime based on what his commanders on the ground tell him. Again, it’s laughable to hear these demands of the new commander-in-chief, when those making them called similar demands treasonous just three years ago. This president is going to take his time and, I hope, make the correct decision.
The commanders on the ground should absolutely be listened to and their every request granted (again…three years ago). What McChrystal, I believe, is telling the president is “if this is the mission and policy you wish, then this is what I require to complete it”. It’s significantly more than the president expected. Perhaps staggeringly so. So now the president has a decision. Do we commit to the impossible at enormous cost to both life and treasure, or do we change the mission and see what the military says then? This, I believe, is what the president is trying to decide.
In my humble opinion, we cannot continue to fund and fight the present conflict in Afghanistan. Nor can we continue the fight in Iraq. Alone, either fight will surely bankrupt us. Both? It’s inconceivable. Period. It’s time to leave and focus on a new strategy. I’ve no idea what it looks like, but the present one is not sustainable.
Should the president choose this course, the other side will pounce. Simultaneously they will call him weak on defense while claiming his agenda is bankrupting us. As I’ve said before, you cannot both complain about the $1 trillion deficit while wishing to continue these wars. They’re joined at the hip. I don’t believe the Tea Partiers understand this. Or if they do, they don’t care. Instead they’re focused on 36 “czars” who are making in excess of $100k/year, as though that will put a dent in $1 trillion.
I hope the president can make this case by himself, because he’s not going to get any backing from his party in Congress. They’re completely useless. Both parties are, for that matter. But the Democrats, in particular, are devoid of spine. For me, the president is it.
Yes, to be honest, Obama has been a disappointment to me. But he’s a damn sight better than McCain would have been. At least Obama hasn’t shown a need to be the biggest swinging dick in town. And he’s still better than any Republican currently on the scene. Given the choice Obama has before him, I don’t think there’s a single Republican out there (besides Paul) who wouldn’t choose an Afghan surge despite its fiscal and mortal pitfalls.
This isn’t a military decision that Obama faces. It’s one of policy. The military is but one component. If he decides McChrystal’s plan is not worth the cost and chooses withdrawal instead, I hope his critics will support him. Afterall, one of the pro-troop choices I’m reading here is withdrawal. “Give ‘em what they need to do the mission, or get out.” That’s what you said, right? Given that choice, I say get out.