I'm former military (U.S. Army, 19K and 19B10). I'm torn because I see the philosophy of being "moral" in war as a just nation. However... the military's job is to kill people and break things. Personally, I think if we deploy our forces the only way to assure absolute victory is to completely unleash them to do what is necessary to get the job done (short of rape). Sadly, it sounds brutal. But it would end the war faster and perhaps save more lives when all is said and done.
Sun Tzu is laughing in his grave. I am ex military too and have the same conflict in philosophy but also the best tactic is to drop the sky on them without warning.
Nothing personal, but I don't believe in honor and fairness in war. No holds barred death and destruction on a scale that either wipes them from the earth or so completely annihilates them that they are rendered impotent.
And all that is very sad. War is hell and horror indeed, and it is worse when it just lingers on and on. The tragedy isn't dead talibani's or even so much dead americans, but dead children and families who don't really care who wins, they just want to live.
And telling the bad guys what our intentions are just helps to prolong the agony.
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Last edited by John Atkinson; 02-16-2010 at 08:21 AM.
As you can see, I usually don't post to a thread although I read most of them.
Afghanistan, in the current world political climate, is unwinnable. The ROE is written with the assumption that eventually these folks will be our friends so we must try to maintain as much of the "structure" as possible.
Afghanistan is not a sovereign nation as much as it is many "sovereign" states within a specified border. This border is not recognized or maintained by any Afghans.
Of course, their culture also determines how they interact with foreigners too. Generally speaking, they look at all Westerners in the same way - they know we have "stuff" and as long as we give them "stuff", they will cooperate.
Another not too popular point is that most of the "Afghan opposition" to the Taliban is not because they don't agree with the Taliban's rules or form of government. The opposition comes from not wanting to be "under" the Taliban. In the same way they don want to be "under" the rule of the neighboring tribe either.
The Taliban have and always will fight an "attack and retreat" type of war. And, when they retreat, it will eventually be into Pakistan.
Anyway, the fact that we give the Taliban a "heads-up" regarding our plans is the least of our worries in Afghanistan.
Annoincing major military offensives before they happen is NOT a new concept.
Actually, I think it's kind of smart.
I would tell why I think this way, but I honestly don't think it's wise to put my reasoning over the internet.
Let me just say that telling the enemy we're coming has very, very little to do with morality.
Afghanistan is already a "just war." We're morally right, with or without warning.
Maybe you can write the family of the next soldier who dies from a booby trap planted after we broadcasted the future offensive, which gave them time to set booby-traps up ... you could explain then why it was smart to let the enemy set a trap that killed their son.
It's stupid, regardless of who's in charge. I don't remember there being any past offensive where we've set a date and said, okay we're going to attack then.
fact is this is war, the obama way, i wonder if they have to mirandize the tals before they smoke em, i wouldnt, the marines have the new assault breacher vehicles to plow up the mine fields they are cool, dt
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A product of a pentecostal raisin, I am a hard man, just ask my children
I'm former military (U.S. Army, 19K and 19B10). I'm torn because I see the philosophy of being "moral" in war as a just nation. However... the military's job is to kill people and break things. Personally, I think if we deploy our forces the only way to assure absolute victory is to completely unleash them to do what is necessary to get the job done (short of rape). Sadly, it sounds brutal. But it would end the war faster and perhaps save more lives when all is said and done.
I guess that's the horror and hell of war.
hey chris i agree with you, cool bro, dt
__________________
A product of a pentecostal raisin, I am a hard man, just ask my children
Sun Tzu is laughing in his grave. I am ex military too and have the same conflict in philosophy but also the best tactic is to drop the sky on them without warning.
Nothing personal, but I don't believe in honor and fairness in war. No holds barred death and destruction on a scale that either wipes them from the earth or so completely annihilates them that they are rendered impotent.
And all that is very sad. War is hell and horror indeed, and it is worse when it just lingers on and on. The tragedy isn't dead talibani's or even so much dead americans, but dead children and families who don't really care who wins, they just want to live.
And telling the bad guys what our intentions are just helps to prolong the agony.
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