Posted Dec 9, 2007 by 
mlh in Politics | 16 comments | 360 views
One should wonder if the same people that lauded General Batiste as a leading authority on the War In Iraq will reconsider their stands or will they shrug him off as a Chicken Hawk or something else just as demeaning and disingenuous. On Saturday, 12/8/07, the once avid critic of the Iraq War has suddenly, or not, had a change of heart. In a co-authored op-ed in the Washington Post, John Batiste and Pete Hegseth have partnered up and are calling for Getting Beyond Stalemate to Win a War.
General Batiste resigned his commission as an Officer and a Gentleman under protest as to the policies of Donald Rumsfeld in executing the GWOT in Iraq.
John Batiste has left his posting at VoteVets, a George Soros funded organization, for the Vets For Freedom organization, of which, I myself am a proud member. Vets For Freedom is an organization comprised of Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans and currently serving military members that support the War In Iraq and the War In Afghanistan. The organization understands that the wars must be won and enabling the enemy is simply wrong-headed.
The American People did indeed cry out for change in the War In Iraq but it wasn't what some claim it to be. We demanded a Victory and not a cut and run defeat. Recent polls will bear that out.
General David Petraeus, the counter-insurgency genius, has turned the tide in Iraq and victory is indeed at hand. There are five points that must be met and understood as presented by both men in the WaPo op-ed. The third point is instrumental and we have seen many CONgressional politicians once saying "the war is lost" now in agreement on this key point:
When, one by one, former anti-war proponents realize that they were on the wrong side of an issue, have the moral fortitude to come forward, the political quagmire in American politics can be purged of ignorance and self-absorbed foolishness.
As John Batiste and Pete Hegseth so stated, Americans will hear and rise to a Call To Arms.
Vote it up at Digital Journal
General Batiste resigned his commission as an Officer and a Gentleman under protest as to the policies of Donald Rumsfeld in executing the GWOT in Iraq.
John Batiste has left his posting at VoteVets, a George Soros funded organization, for the Vets For Freedom organization, of which, I myself am a proud member. Vets For Freedom is an organization comprised of Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans and currently serving military members that support the War In Iraq and the War In Afghanistan. The organization understands that the wars must be won and enabling the enemy is simply wrong-headed.
Congress has been entangled in a war-funding debate that pits war "supporters" against antiwar "defeatists." With all sides seemingly entrenched, a stalemate looms. The Pentagon, meanwhile, will soon begin stripping money from its training budget to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.I could not have said better if I had said so myself. However, I believe I have been saying nearly the identical words since I came home in 2003 and saw a different America from when I left.
Our military men and women deserve better than partisan politics; they deserve honest assessments of our nation's performance in fighting the Long War. [...]
[...] Our perspectives were different, yet not as stark as the "outspoken general" and "stay-the-course supporter" labels we received. Such labels are oversimplified and inaccurate, and we are united behind a greater purpose.That is called Teamwork...a term and concept that has been AWOL in the United States CONgress since 1976. There are too many, I dare say the vast majority, members of the House and Senate that care only for their political aspirations and they listen to the loudest mouths of the populace no matter the intent. That is called pandering and catering to an insignificant number of people yet the most vocal. Times are changing.
It's time to discuss the way forward rather than prosecute the past. Congress must do the same, for our nation and the troops. [...]
The American People did indeed cry out for change in the War In Iraq but it wasn't what some claim it to be. We demanded a Victory and not a cut and run defeat. Recent polls will bear that out.
General David Petraeus, the counter-insurgency genius, has turned the tide in Iraq and victory is indeed at hand. There are five points that must be met and understood as presented by both men in the WaPo op-ed. The third point is instrumental and we have seen many CONgressional politicians once saying "the war is lost" now in agreement on this key point:
[...] Third, the counterinsurgency campaign led by Gen. David Petraeus is the correct approach in Iraq. It is showing promise of success and, if continued, will provide the Iraqi government the opportunities it desperately needs to stabilize its country. Ultimately, however, these military gains must be cemented with regional and global diplomacy, political reconciliation, and economic recovery -- tools yet sufficiently utilized. Today's tactical gains in Iraq -- while a necessary pre-condition for political reconciliation -- will crumble without a deliberate and comprehensive strategy. [...]The vast majority of Americans have been saying this same thing seemingly forever but it has gone mostly unheeded until recently. The agony of victory is troublesome to a small section of American society and the explanation to that escapes me.
When, one by one, former anti-war proponents realize that they were on the wrong side of an issue, have the moral fortitude to come forward, the political quagmire in American politics can be purged of ignorance and self-absorbed foolishness.
As John Batiste and Pete Hegseth so stated, Americans will hear and rise to a Call To Arms.
[...] Americans must mobilize for the Long War -- bolster our strained military, galvanize industry to supply troops with what they need right now and fund the strategy with long-term solutions. We have no doubt that Americans will rally behind a call to arms.I know Pete Hegseth and one day I just might be fortunate enough to meet General Batiste.
America's veterans -- young and old -- are resolved to support and defend the Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic. This commitment, and nothing less, should compel us to stand together, in and out of uniform. Would that Congress finds the courage to bury its pride and do the same. [...]
Vote it up at Digital Journal
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