The Agony of Victory

November 24, 2007

It has been no secret that shortly after September 11, 2001, the kook anti-war left solidly opposed any retribution towards the radical Jihadists that have been attacking American interests, both abroad and at home now, for the past three decades. Maybe a bit more of a surprise, but not totally, was watching as a political party, smelling an opportunity to sweep back into power, joined forces with and followed the lead of the kook anti-war left in America.

Shortly after the invasion of Afghanistan the New York Times ran an editorial titled, “A Military Quagmire Remembered: Afghanistan as Vietnam.” Following that months later was the inclusion of Saddam Hussein’s Iraq in the War on Terror, meeting constant opposition from leftists and most Democrats, even those that voted to go to war in Iraq originally.

Apparently reliving the glory days of the anti-war movement during the latter years of the Viet Nam Conflict, aging hippies with their graying pony tails resurrected many of their stale anti-war slogans, painted signs, deluded many of today’s youths and marched wherever they could gain attention. Aging cries of “resist” are heard over and over, yet what there is to resist isn’t ever explained.

Unlike the Viet Nam era, the wholesale hatred of the Troops has yet to mature, happening so far in isolated instances and being heavily opposed by Veterans groups like Patriot Guard Riders and Gathering of Eagles. Recalling the nefarious homecoming many of us received upon returning to CONUS (Continental United States) from Viet Nam, most Viet Nam Veterans have sworn, "Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another."

This has not stopped the kook anti-war left from embracing despicable Veterans such as Massachusetts Senator and darling of the 1970’s anti-war dullards, John ‘F’in Kerry, from being propelled within a hairsbreadth of occupying the White House. If not for the courage and honor of the highly decorated group of Combat Viet Nam Veterans, the Swift Vets and POWs for Truth, they might have succeeded in fooling enough voters to elect Kerry, unseating George W. Bush, the most hated man by the kook leftists I have seen in my lifetime.

Even the Republican Party has spawned moonbats like Libertarian masquerading as a conservative, Dr. Ron Paul of Texas, with his claims of, "Have you ever read about the reasons they attacked us? They attack us because we've been over there. We've been bombing Iraq for 10 years." That they have been attacking us for three decades escapes Paul apparently.

In spite of all the protests, congressional opposition and even mistakes made in leadership, our Troops have performed well, suffering the least number of casualties on any elongated war we have been in.

Early this year, President Bush gained the reluctant approval from the newly elected Democrat Congress to send an additional 30,000 Troops to Iraq and install General David Petraeus as Commander. A Troop reinforcement and realignment often called “the surge” by many has been showing steady improvements in security matters. Numerous articles have been published showing the successes achieved, such as, It's true: Iraq is a quagmire, Sects unite to battle Al Qaeda in Iraq, For Bush, Advances But Not Approval, U.S. Says Attacks in Iraq Fell to Feb. 2006 Level and Baghdad Comes Alive.

In spite of good news or progress being shown and the sacrifices of our Troops, naysayers will not embrace obvious successes happening in the war. Instead, we are treated to comments like John Murtha’s (D Pa), "Look at all the people that have been displaced, all the [lost] oil production, unemployment, all those type of things. We can't win militarily. To change the political law, it doesn't seem to me you need the military stability." Haven’t the Democrats been crying for “Military stability" all along?

In September, 2007, Joeseph Biden, (D Del) stated concerning General Petraeus’s report on the war progress, “I think he's dead flat wrong.” On the 17th of this month he said in regards of his desire to “restore America's moral leadership,” “We must start by ending the war in Iraq.”

Chuck Schumer, (D. NY) in regards to continuing funding of our Troops said on November 16, “The days of a free lunch are over.”

On the same day, Harry Reid (D-Nev) said, “Our troops continue to fight and die valiantly. And our Treasury continues to be depleted rapidly, for a peace that we seem far more interested in achieving than Iraq's own political leaders.” Just a few days prior, he also said, “Democrats won't approve more money for the Iraq war this year unless President Bush agrees to begin bringing troops home.”

Joining fellow Democrats like Reid and Murtha, David Obey (D.Wis) has vowed to resist funding the Troops “without compromise,” unless President Bush agrees to begin withdrawing all the Troops soon.

Campaigning for President, Democrat New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson says he will withdraw all Troops from Iraq, leaving some Marines to protect the U.S. Embassy.
John Edwards (D. NC) says he plans to remove almost all of the troops from Iraq except for a brigade to would guard the embassy.

Hillary Clinton (D. NY) says she would consult the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to discuss formally a withdrawal plan once in office.

Barack Obama (D. Ill) says he would remove all combat troops by removing 1 or 2 of the brigades each month.

Of all the Democrats I can only think of two who feel finishing the mission is important. Joe Lieberman, now an Independent from Connecticut and Brian Baird (D. Wa). Baird is a recent convert to cause of Iraqi liberation and his newfound stance has cost him in support from Democrats in Washington State. To his credit, Rep. Baird has said, “I can always find a new job, but I cannot find a new country.”

It is obvious now more than ever that Democrats are so heavily invested in defeat that they refuse to recognize success on the battlefield and as many on the right have been saying, they must be voted out en masse in 2008 to save America.

Expressing the likelihood that this is A War We Just Might Win, Democrat Leaders have shown the Agony of Victory and the Thrill of defeat.

Lew