Why am I more patient than someone sitting at home in Fort ‘Livingroom’?”

December 9, 2006

Sort of an odd question to see on a blog site, isn’t it? Read on and maybe you will come to understand the meaning behind it.

As we all know, the day after Democrats narrowly retook control of both houses of the legislature, President Bush announced the retirement of Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld. Democrats and anti-war leftists took this as a vindication of their ranting and belittling both President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld over the past six years. Why wouldn’t they, they won the elections, finally, even if by a very narrow margin.

Nothing could be further from the truth, however.

In what will be his last week in office, Secretary Rumsfeld, without any fanfare, pre-announcements or even coverage by the lamestream media, traveled to Iraq to visit with the troops one last time, before he hands the mantle over to the newly confirmed Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates. The same one that the lamestream media has been boasting all week as saying we are not winning the war. Enough on Gates, for now.

In Iraq, Mr. Rumsfeld, 74, visited with troops at Al Asad Air Base in Unbar province and then with troops in Balad, no safe Green Zone visit. Speaking to the various troops, he said, “For the past six years, I have had the opportunity and, I would say the privilege, to serve with the greatest military on the face of the Earth. I leave understanding that the true strength of the United States military is not in Washington, it’s not in the Pentagon, it’s not in the weapons. It’s in the hearts of the men and women who serve. It’s your patriotism, it’s your professionalism and indeed your determination.”

He spoke of a wounded young man he met with at Bethesda Navy Hospital who said to Mr. Rumsfeld, “If the American people will only give us the time, we can do it. We’re getting the job done.” Of that comment, Rummy said to the troops in Iraq, “I believe him. I know he’s right. We feel great urgency to protect the American people from another 9/11 or a 9/11 times two or three. At the same time, we need to have the patience to see this task through to success. The consequences of failure are unacceptable.”

To say the troops received Mr. Rumsfeld well is a misstatement. Showing they hadn’t lost faith with the departing Secretary, they lined up by the hundreds to have their photos taken with him. In fact, at both areas he visited, he was treated as if a rock star.

One Marine gunnery sergeant said to Rummy, “It isn’t a military problem out here. It’s a political problem. No one in this country can challenge us militarily; we’d wipe the floor with them. The Iraqis have to ‘cowboy up.’”

Another, a convoy commander at Anaconda Logistics Area added, “This is my second year-long tour. Why am I more patient than someone sitting at home in ‘Fort Livingroom?’?”

As the anti-war left brays their “we support the troops, but not the mission,” nonsense, those last words should be well heeded. These are brave young Americans who see the danger of letting Iraq fall by the wayside and not standing up to terror everywhere needed. They are volunteers who bravely place their lives on the line to keep terrorists away from us.

I don’t care what the lamestream media or the Democrats claimed to retake control of the House and the Senate, our troops are winning and they know it.

From the beginning President Bush has said this is a new kind of war, it is going to be a long war and it is a necessary war. On our parts here at home, all we need is patience. Patience and giving the troops the support and materials needed to win this fight. It can and must be won.

Rumsfeld said, “The consequences of failure are unacceptable.”

General John Abizaid (U.S. Central Command chief) said, “We can certainly walk away from this enemy, but they will not walk away from us.”

An American Commander said, “Why am I more patient than someone sitting at home in ‘Fort Livingroom?’”

America, ask yourself that question. If the brave troops you all claim you love and support have the patience and the courage to place them selves in harms way time and time again, for your protection, why can’t you have the patience to let them finish the job, this time?

Lew

UPDATE: More on Rumsfeld's 16th visit with the troops is at AtlasShrugs.com