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| 9-11-05 |
| 2005-09-11 |
| Another year goes by. Memories dim. Attention spans drift onto new topics. The honored dead become merely the dead. Among the weak-willed, the enablers, and the fifth columnists there never has been any support for our war. With the passage of four years even those of us who've supported the war run into the problems of fatigue. One of the regulars in the O Club summed it up the other night: I'm just burnt out anymore: burnt out on the war, and burnt out on politics.Now we're in the danger zone. We've been carried for four years by the anger we felt at a cowardly attack on our country, on a pretty September morning when we were at peace with the world. We fed on our rage at the death of innocents, fueled it by recalling men and women jumping from the Towers, chosing one form of death over another. Things were clear at the beginning, the steps we needed to take were obvious to all. Some of that clarity is gone now. A part of that is because of the large number of options now available to us that weren't there four years ago. A part of it is because the fifth column wants to obscure it. Still another part of it is because the ideologues don't pay attention to the detail of events unfolding. They're big picture people, and they chop off the parts of the picture that don't fit their conception of what it should look like. We tend to lump the two streams together because they often bray the same things; they go to each other's parties, they show up at the same rallies, sometimes they even marry each other. But there is a difference between the two: the former is evil, bent on our destruction, hating Western civilization for their own twisted reasons. The latter is stupid, venal, corrupt, wrapped in their own immediate political game. They oppose for the sake of opposition, dissent for the sake of dissent, and can no more imagine us losing the war than they can imagine their constituents voting them out of office. Their goal is to be in charge, not to lose. The actual war we're fighting with an inimical culture is only one factor to them, given the same weight and to be exploited in the same ways as health care, social security, "a woman's right to choose," and a host of other issues that will evaporate if we were to lose. They're merely a domestic battle, biting our ankle as we try to fight the real war, the war to preserve both sides. After we win the war, our side will probably be burnt out. We'll be tired. We'll be bereft of ideas. We can only hope that in the years ahead â we have lots more years to go on the WoT â that the adversarial Democrats start coming up with some workable ideas of their own. To date, it doesn't look so good, but we have to hope. Will we win? I'd have to answer "yes." We'll win because the other side has made it a clash of civilizations, and if we don't want to see Zarqawi's black flag flying over the White House we'll have to win. Once the necessity's accepted we'll do what we have to do, and we have the heavy artillery, despite the efforts being made to weaken us. It won't be any easier than it has been, occasionally it will be harder, and it's going to cost a lot of money. When it's all over, we'll have to accept the fact that we may not be the world's remaining superpower. We're not going to be popular, we're not going to be liked, and we may well be reviled in our own history books. Necessity is like that. Those are problems for another day. Our victory is necessary because our enemy hates the things that make us what we are. Quoth Naveed Qamar, of Pakistan's Markaz ad-Dawa: Democracy is a wretched tree which was planted by the Jews. This tree has very bitter fruit, its roots make the soil barren and its branches are thorny. It is a tree that has only poisonous effects. The Jews have designed the philosophy of democracy to destabilize other societies particularly Muslim Ummah.That lays it out pretty baldly. Zarqawi has sounded the same theme, as has Zawahiri, and probably a few dozen lesser lights of terror that don't immediately spring to mind. For instance, as Somali Sheik Hassan Dahir Aweys recently put it: âDemocracy is contrary to Islamic teachings... Democracy originated in Greece and it allows the public to control the government.âSheikh Aweys' philosophy, echoing Zarqawi and Zawahiri, is to put aside all man-made laws. Democracy, freedom, is un-Islamic. He advocates using the Koran as the supreme constitution of the nation. He attributes Somalia's problems not to anarchy, tribalism, warlords, and too much Olde Tyme Religion, but to Ethiopia. As I've mentioned in these pages before, "democracy" is being used by both sides as a shorthand for "freedom," and individual freedom is the antithesis of Salafist Islam. It's a religion that advocates killing people who decide they would rather be Lutherans or Unitarians or even Shi'ites. There is no freedom of religion in Salafism. Without freedom of religion there is no freedom of thought. Without freedom of thought there is no freedom of action. Are we winning? We are winning the war, despite the weeping and gnashing of teeth from the adversarial Left. I wish that by now bin Laden had been killed, Mullah Omar had been killed, and Zarqawi had been strung up by his own intestines, but those things haven't happened yet. On the other hand, the Taliban have been tossed out, never, despite their fantasies and those of certain segments of the press, to rule again. Abu Zubaydah and Khalid Sheikh Mohammad have been captured, as have numerous lesser lights. Even more are now cavorting with Himmler and Heydrich, some ushered on their way spectacularly, some with less fanfare, and some anonymously. The dear departed include not only cannon fodder, but middle managers, regional big shots, money men, and even a few holy men. Afghanistan was Phase One of the war. Iraq was Phase Two. Saddam Hussein has been run out of office, his two loathesome offspring killed, and he's awaiting trial himself. His henchmen have for the most part been rounded up or killed. Baathism in Iraq is gone in just the same manner as the Taliban in Afghanistan, maybe moreso. If we were to leave today, the Baathists wouldn't resume power. Instead, Iraq would break apart into three or four states: one Shia, one Kurdish, and the Sunni areas likely split between a Baathist city-state in Tikrit, with Salafists ruling the rest. The Salafists represent Phase Three of the war. They're a distinct phase from the Baathist phase, even though there are now Baathists infesting the insurgency. Aligned with the Salafists, for purely tactical reasons and because Moqtada isn't the brightest knife on the tree, are the Sadrists. Because Phase Two and Phase Three blended together almost imperceptibly, we now find ourselves in a Quagmire⢠if you read the papers. Because journalists, unlike generals, always fight the last war, Iraq is expected to be Just Like Vietnam©. There are, in fact similarities: by the end of Tet 1968 the Viet Cong were effectively wiped out. That war became us (and our allies, to include notably the South Vietnamese) against the North Vietnamese. Consider the Baathists the Viet Cong and the Salafists and their Sadrist allies the North Vietnamese. It's kind of like if we'd demolished the NVA and the Viet Cong had sprung up in their place. The war in Vietnam ground on because the North Vietnamese had safe havens in Laos and eastern Cambodia. That was where their supply system was located, with a long series of troop encampments located about a hard day's march apart. We couldn't go into those countries to pry the NVA out. Syria and Iran represent the safe havens to the Salafists. We can't go in there, either. Yet. Since 1968 a lot has changed. Technology has advanced. The armed forces have been restructured and re-equipped. Most importantly, we won the Cold War. The Soviet Union and China were the bucket on each military foot during the Vietnam era. Today we have more freedom of action, and therein lies the difference. The diplomatic war is just as important as the shooting war, just as important as the intelligence war, just as important as the financial war. And we've achieved major victories in the diplomatic and political arenas. The most dramatic was Libya, which was as significant a victory as Baathist Iraq. Just as important was turning Pakistan, which allowed us to defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan. That victory took place in the course of a phone call. Perv didn't quite spin on a dime, but he's kept, however erratically, on course ever since. The cesspool of Pak fundamentalism hasn't been drained, but against all odds he's lowered the level by at least a few feet. But notice the nature of the progress he's made: it's been incremental, three steps forward, two steps back, punctuated the while by gunfire and explosions. The other political-diplomatic advance we've made has been in demanding that democratic reforms be introduced in the Middle East. Some places have gotten the idea: Saleh isn't going to run for office again in Yemen, which will make him the only Arab elder statesman. Bahrain quietly became a constitutional monarchy. Most of the Gulf States are on track toward something that might be described as diwaniyah democracy. Morocco's introducing reforms. Algeria's democratizing. Sudan's sharing power â however unwillingly â with the southern Sudanese. Afghanistan and Iraq both have constitutions, and Afghanistan is actually getting some sort of political life going. Lebanon has stepped away from its status as Syria's colony. Yasser Arafat's last days were mighty uncomfortable because he was an old-fashioned dictator and couldn't abide the thought of sharing power, and his successor faces either some sort of power diffusion or complete anarchy. Even the Saudis are making pro forma reforms that they will have difficulty backing away from. There are at present only two states that present a direct danger to us: the two safe havens, Syria and Iran. Iran's enmity is long standing and naked. Syria's is half-hearted, its regime shaky. I'll be surprised if Assad lasts another year. That leaves Iran. Phase Four. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #17 They just have it coming ZF, now haven't they? One of those "allies" at this very moment is helping to pump New Orleans dry. |
| Posted by: True German Ally 2005-09-11 23:36 |
| #16 BH: I agreed but pointed out that, by living the life they want they risk alienating those who might be willing to take up arms for them. That this country may die because those who choose to protect it might look around and see nothing worthy of protection. That's where I'm heading. I hate the left - about half the population of this country - almost as much as I hate the Islamofascists. I'm a Marine veteran and proud of my service, but would I put the pack back on if my country asked me? I'm not sure I would. I fully understand your sentiments. I think we're pretty safe, though - we are sheltered by two oceans, not to mention weak powers to the north and south. It's our "allies" around the world that will feel the pain. I think they're due. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2005-09-11 23:27 |
| #15 My lefty wife laughed the other day when I suggested that this country might possibly fall within our lifetimes. She cried when I told her why I thought so. The thing is, I look the people around me, those wonderful liberals, and I don't see a people worth defending. She says that people have a right to live the way they want to. I agreed but pointed out that, by living the life they want they risk alienating those who might be willing to take up arms for them. That this country may die because those who choose to protect it might look around and see nothing worthy of protection. That's where I'm heading. I hate the left - about half the population of this country - almost as much as I hate the Islamofascists. I'm a Marine veteran and proud of my service, but would I put the pack back on if my country asked me? I'm not sure I would. I told her that if something on the scale of 9/11 were to hit the predominantly leftist coastal cities, I probably wouldn't feel much about it. My suspicion was confirmed when NO was demolished. I felt very little. I suppose I'm a total bastard for feeling this way, but I'm burnt out as well. Sorry. |
| Posted by: BH 2005-09-11 23:09 |
| #14 Thank You, Fred - Accept my Paypal contribution as your outlet's help to mental stability |
| Posted by: Frank G 2005-09-11 22:40 |
| #13 Thank you, Fred. Sometimes I need help keeping perspective. So long as we melt down in turn, rather than all at once, we'll be ok. |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2005-09-11 21:43 |
| #12 I pray that my generation and younger generations will protect what they have been given. Just when I think there's not much hope for the "young punks" I see everyday (and I'm only 32, calling them young), I go and find solace in Rantburg and in actions of others who give a damn. Went this weekend to Bay St. Louis/Waveland, Mississippi to take supplies (a long 24 hour trip from Atlanta) with 2 buddies. Get there, and everything is pretty much back up and running well after Katrina (she made landfall very near here). Ran in to kids younger than me in several areas trying to help out. 2 kids (I'd guess High School) and their 2 moms drove up from Cocoa Beach, FL to cook for people there (actually, in Kiln, just north of I-10). Amazing. I saw the goodness of America there. Dropped goods off at a church who was taking supplies, and we noticed something....a couple of military were there (they were all over Waveland/Bay St. Louis), but they were packing up, left just 2-3 pallets of MREs. Looking around the grounds there were 3-4 pallets of EVERYTHING else that was donated by private citizens (diapers, wipes, canned veggies, canned fruits, tons of clothes, first aid stuff, hygenie products, even bikes and kids toys). THAT is what makes America great...we will take care of our own...with or without the gov't. A GREAT weekend...seeing hope in action in the wake of Katrina, and then seeing the hope in the aftermath of 9/11 (NEVER forgive or forget for me). |
| Posted by: BA 2005-09-11 20:48 |
| #11 This conflict will go on along time in various battlefields.It's a safe bet that the Left will have a "Bourbon Restoration" in the near future, in which their candidates promise a "return to normalcy". And the war effort will go into abeyance for a time. It will be painful and frustrating, but we should use that time to take a close look at the enemy at home (MSM, loony academics seditious State Dept types, the various LLL-funding foundations,monarchical jurists, the culture industry etc.)and create a reformist agenda which deals with those groups. Only then will we be ready to deal with foes like the Islamicists or the PRC or narco-states or whatever challenges the future brings. This will be a long hard slog in any case, and we'll have our setbacks, but I think history is on our side. |
| Posted by: dushan 2005-09-11 14:26 |
| #10 The Left is part of the enemy's forces, whether they accept or acknowledge their part. I refer to them as "facilitators" - they're not directly involved in evil, but they work very hard to make evil possible, and do nothing to stop it. There's a special place in Hell for such people. I wish them a speedy journey! |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2005-09-11 14:06 |
| #9 Heh, Mike - you're prolly onto something there. Fred - Word. The chrome may be showing, but the contents are intact and the output razor sharp. Thx. |
| Posted by: .com 2005-09-11 09:12 |
| #8 Ever notice that you never see Fred Pruitt and Victor Davis Hanson in the same place at the same time? |
| Posted by: Mike 2005-09-11 08:33 |
| #7 Hey! Where's the link? I want to read the rest of it. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2005-09-11 07:09 |
| #6 Fred, you're the man. I bet if Fred were mayor and we were in need of evaculation, he would send in the school buses instead of holding back for the Greyhounds. Fred for New Orleans mayor! |
| Posted by: Captain America 2005-09-11 02:45 |
| #5 AP - The Berkley experience you mention gives me unpleasant flashbacks (no, not LSD induced). On a positive note, the moonbats who protest today are literally toothless and gray haired. Fortunately, the generation that has emerged with 9/11 are not to be found in the 60's era bat cave. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2005-09-11 02:43 |
| #4 I'm just burnt out anymore: burnt out on the war, and burnt out on politics. just one point. IMO..War on Terror, we're [sane rational folks]light years better off than we were during the Vietnam years.[60's 70s] Plz remember that the lowest parasitic life form on the planet, the Left/MSM, sheltered in the host, our Constitution, who relentlessly infect and feed off any wound it can exploit in our Nation, don't have a monopoly anymore! Thank you Rantberg, cable, WWW, talk radio. We now have a place to meet, gather our strength, ideas and influence policy [w/money, votes, and pressure]. Together we are more focused & way stronger. will it be easy? no. Are we winning? YES /Phase 10..we elect Joe for president. <<: |
| Posted by: Red Dog 2005-09-11 02:43 |
| #3 Great summary, Fred. Makes one think. We are fighting this war of survival with one hand tied by the LLL around our backs. They are hell bent on destroying this government. I saw the same thing in Berkeley in the 60s. The Left used Vietnam as a tool to bring down the govt. They are using the exact same playbook. We will have to fight them, too. We are in a long haul war, folks. Courage, everyone. We are playing for keeps. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2005-09-11 02:03 |
| #2 You said it best, as always. Fred Akbar! |
| Posted by: Dan Darling 2005-09-11 01:43 |
| #1 Thanks Fred. I don't know why you are not on President Bush's cabinet as Secretary for Long Attention Spans. I just stopped by the Internet Archive to see if there were any archived web pages from that day. I couldn't find any with 2 quick searches, but I didn't come away empty-handed. I found instead that the IA are fouled with dozens if not hundreds of lefty loonbat agitprop films, conspiracy theorist manifestos, and enough bile to power Quetta for a year. Absolutely sickening. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2005-09-11 01:42 |