Tuesday, September 23, 2014

This War Needs Cautious Assessment

Okay.  We're not even 24 hours into what we're finally calling a war.  That we've taken the action we have is good.  That Arab countries joined in is even better even though some of them flew but did not bomb. That we hit enough IS targets in the right places to have their leadership on the run rather than being able to dig in is probably best of all.

That being said, there are a few cautionary notes.  One, there is no Plan B that we know of.  And two, there are still no boots on the ground and the time line for those willing gives IS, along with its counterparts, time to regroup before having to face those who can rout them out.

We have also learned that there has been another al Qaeda affiliate, Khorasan, which apparently had plans for an imminent attack on us.  Where did they come from?  We're now told they've been around for some time.  Shouldn't we know about them or have they been brought to mind merely to give cover for our bombing strikes? Giving those strikes legitimacy because of plans and a group we knew nothing about.

It's the convolution that's frustrating. Knowing now that they do exist along with so many others that are like minded, to win the battle against the extremist mind set is going to take more than cheering one night of attacks.  We still don't know who all is in the coalition and what each has promised to do.  It's a political nightmare for all of them.

I think it important to remember part of what's at stake here and why we need to be wholly involved.  While it isn't our fight alone, someone has to lead it. And it's not just a fight against IS.  It's a fight against pure evil and for human decency.  It's in all against not only the worst of the worst like IS, but also the likes of Assad, Putin, Kim Jong-un, the Iranian Mullahs and all like minded dictators.

It's a fight to show them their inhumanity will not be tolerated by the rest of the world.  If only it were so.  If it were there  would be far less reluctance even without the strong leadership we used to provide. As it is each participant has to search their own conscience and proceed as cohesively as possible. Hopefully, one day, our leadership will return but it won't be soon and the world cannot wait.

Expect a few burps along the way while an incomplete strategy shakes out.  Hope the President allows himself to listen to those who know better than he what is necessary for victory. Micromanaging it will doom it.

Remember too, it isn't principled war we Americans are against, it's not being allowed to win those wars.   Don't under estimate our determination when the goal is just and coherent. We can and will win. It's what Americans do.

Sunday, September 21, 2014

Republican Senate?

For a time it seemed a sure thing.  The Senate would go Republican.  Now it isn't so sure.  Maybe.  Since no politician nor consultant speaks from only one side of their mouths I'm never quite sure if the woe is more political than truth.  Underdogs do better.

On the other hand, if it is true and the Democrats maintain control the Republicans have no one to blame but themselves.  Mostly because they don't listen to their constituents if they even hear them.  Nothing has changed since the discontent with the administration reached its peak.

There is still no cohesive voice, if any.   Rand Paul is doing his thing.  So is Ted Cruz along with the other mavericks.  The message however seems to be more of the what's wrong mode than the this is how we'll fix it mode.  To paraphrase, silence is not a strategy!

It was a sad day when political careers became more important to the office holders than the good of the country.  Nothing other than holding on to office seems to penetrate their consciousness. They personify the latest trend in Zombie movies.

I wonder if it really matters.  We have two very difficult years to navigate before we get a new administration.  If the Republicans do manage to win there still won't be much they can do because of the President's veto power. Unless they win by such a margin that they can over ride a veto.  Doubtful at best.  If they lose it will be more of the same with Harry Reid refusing to bring important issues to the floor for a vote to protect the Democratic ranks.

If this is the case I'll expect Obama to go full speed ahead with executive orders.  The only tool the Republicans have with which to fight is the purse.  Close it.  Put a lock on it.  But they won't.  The consequences might damage their chances in 2016.

It has been usual for a two term President to be followed by one of the opposite party due to party fatigue if nothing else. When that hasn't held true it's because of really bad candidates put forward by the opposition.  I think Romney would be a good President but he sure ran a terrible campaign.  I'm not at all sure McCain would have made a good President because he's pretty much a one trick pony.  Plus he chose a really poor running mate.  None of which made good sense; it had only to do with politics.

Still, I await November with anxious anticipation. No matter which way the election goes, it will tell me a lot about where the voting public is at a whole.  Apathetic? Naive? Frustrated or angry?  The last would be my preference.  If we want the country to be what it has been in the past, if we want it to be respected around the world and yes, even feared by our enemies, it is up to the voters.  The voters have to put the right people in office. If they don't nothing will change and the country will be ruled by the whim of Washington.

That would be end.  The new normal.  As we oldsters fade away this dysfunction is all that will be remembered. It will be the guiding principle. It will be the fatal blow to a once great nation.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Beware Of Turkey

Me thinks Turkey with their Islamist leader may be another can or worms for the United States and the region.  Another ally of sorts who has mixed allegiances due to mixed needs.

It was questioned why Turkey said no to our use of air bases within their borders while the air strikes against ISIL were being formulated.  It was thought perhaps because the newly re-elected Erdogan explained the leanings of his countrymen.  Not a comforting thought for the rest of the region.

Then he was given some slack when it became known that ISIL held a sizable group of Turks that were captured when ISIL over ran Mosul. Ah, that explains it.  Concern for the hostages.  Don't affiliate in any manner with the Great Satan.

Then duel headlines this morning sent a chill through me.  One was that some 60,000 Kurds were fleeing over the border to the relative safety of Turkey.  The other  was that the hostages have been released.  The reports are that it was some well executed rescue mission but I can't help but wonder.  We couldn't extract two and the Turks rescued forty nine?

Okay, our commander-in-chief, who has no military experience what so ever, meddles in everything military and that may have had something to our bungled mission. Still, the language of the reports are suspect when on one hand it was credited to a well executed rescue mission and on the other it talks of their having been handed over.  The two aren't compatible. When the double talk stops I'll take another look at Turkey and their intentions but for now I don't see them as an ally at all and putting aside Edogan's leanings, I don't blame them.

We can put 3000 of our military into Africa to fight Ebola which is not a threat to our national security at this point. Yes, it's a deadly disease in undeveloped countries, but it's a medical problem, not a military one.

Maybe the President doesn't think our troops are in danger there but I beg to differ.  If it migrates into our troops it will be as deadly to them just as much if their boots were on the ground fighting ISIL.  They actually may have a better chance fighting ISIL because it's what they've been trained to do and regardless what we're told, the movement is a threat more far reaching in the long run and certainly more difficult to detain.

Every day the world around us becomes more frightening with the Russians and Chinese buzzing our shores with war planes, the allies defying us at every turn and perhaps most of all the President insisting he personally signs off on every air strike planned for Syria.

Golf any one?




Friday, September 19, 2014

We're Not The Only Ones Who Can Say No

I'm just back from our short hiatus and am sorry to say the smoke from the fires in Oregon and California had moved into Glacier obliterating all that fantastic scenery.

Other topics, however, seem to be perfectly clear. I only scanned the papers that I've missed but I see both Iraq and Iran have told us no.  We're not wanted and they have no interest in cooperating with us in the fight against ISIS.  And ISIS iss in their territory!

It's not because they love ISIS; it's because we aren't trusted.  Period.  I wonder how the President likes that N word.  He's far more used to using it than hearing it. I'd like to think it smarts but my guess is he is secretly happy and will view it as letting him off the hook.

And kudos to the French! While we bomb pick up trucks their first mission hit a logisitics depot.  Now that's hitting where it hurts and does some good.

I also see we continue to refuse weaponry to the Ukranians. I know I've got to read in some detail what the reasons are and what reactions have been before going much further.  I have one observation that troubles me though.  Countries are bothering less and less with diplomatic correctness. It's what happens when you shun your allies and are impotent against your enemies.

I feel sorry for who ever the next President will be.  Not only will he or she inherit an unbelievable mess, the task of rebuilding America will be daunting. Let's just make sure the people we send to Washington not only this fall but in 2016 actually want to face up to the job.  If not I suspect it should and will be a thankless undertaking.  We'll be solely responsible if all goes awry.

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Patience Isn't Always Prudent

What's the difference between soap opera and the Obama administration?  With soap opera you can walk away for weeks on end and little will have changed in the story line.  With the Obama administration much the same is true except for the theatrical agonizing that goes into changing nothing.

With that thought in mind I leave for a drive over Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier National Park before it closes next weekend.  I'll only be gone a couple of days and figure I'll come back to find nothing has changed.  Even if there is another beheading.

Everyone agrees that this President is very contemplative.  I question whether he really contemplates anything or rather it's just a ploy to delay action.  I do know you can't make a problem go away by thinking it to death.  I mean how can you execute a war and deploy troops on a case by case basis?

Meanwhile people die and territory is lost.  Now there is rumor ISIS is in Mexico and have plans for crossing into this country and beginning their campaign of terror with a series of car bombings.  Of course Homeland Security and the FBI say there is no credible threat of this nature but it wouldn't surprise me if there was some credence to it.

On that cheery note I take my leave.  I'm sure we'll see some snow at the top; a Mountain Goat would make it perfect.