Cut and Run Does…What?
I’ve been spending time on the CENTCOM site for months. There are so many stories about what our brave men and women really do today. It is true that any military has a primary role when at war. After the opposition has been vanquished, there are so many more things that can be done after the major fighting has ended. I believe that no matter what, we need to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.
Some think that because the current administration has been successful in Iraq, every photo is a photo-op only. And, if the activity we are engaged in right now is not captured on film, there is room to cast aspersions or spin fabrications that we are failing at our ultimate mission. Leaving any negative spin to take hold threatens the entire mission (GWOT) as well as our men and women on the ground. It is a double edged sword for CENTCOM to capture the moments that should be something in which we all can be proud:
US CENTCOM DVIDS Photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Sherry Eaton
And then make those moments, which are powerful and illustrative, taken in the correct light to provide clear proof we are successful in Iraq. Yes, maybe to some of the elites in the US, delivering some water and a few toys is a joke. It’s just sad that all this poo-pooing we get from those with an axe to grind, or a plank to set for an election, takes center stage.
I, on the other hand, see our efforts in a multi-faceted way. Yes, the bad guys must be vanquished. And yes, we need to win the hearts and minds to provide an excellent foundation from which freedom can take root. There are some very small things that can be done to bring about a smile or laugh:
US CENTCOM DVIDS Photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Sherry Eaton
And we can all stamp out tyranny with smiles, laughter, water, protection, training, and good old fashioned friendship. It may be that the following small group of minds is not strong enough to topple an evil and maniacal regime:
US CENTCOM DVIDS Photo by Army Sgt. 1st Class Sherry Eaton
But by touching so many families, and religious groups, and the policemen and soldiers, we can ultimately create the most powerful force from which freedom is sure to grow.
I’m positive, yes I am. Maybe some day being positive will begin to take hold again here at home. I am holding my breath so don’t take too long, people! ;)
Remember I asked at the beginning, to cut and run does what?
Cut and run, if we followed the time table originally proposed by the Democrats, would never have provided friendship building like you’ve seen here. Cut and run would never have allowed us to get Zarqawi. Cut and run would only get more votes for the likes of John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, John Murtha, or Charlie Schumer. Cut and run will take us back to the days of a leaders that gave us bombing aspirin factories as a show of force, or not being able to rescue hostages in Iran, or the likes of present day Neville Chamberlains selling our country for some paltry price. Are more friends in the MSM or on Comedy Central a cost that today’s narcissists are willing to pay?
I think you’ve witnessed the answer to that last question. I think you all know what cut and run does. I think we all know what is at stake and why we press on under the weight of such negativity and selfish public gluttony.
Carry on, God Bless, and God Speed.
Cross-posted at Fix4RSO.com
Technorati Tags: Milblogging, CENTCOM, GWOT, Joint Forces, Iraq
June 20th, 2006 at 11:44 am
Ah, great post! I can’t believe the kids aren’t running for cover, though, from the EVIL US military. Don’t they know they could be shot at any moment at short range?
June 20th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
Ya know, I was truly worried about jokes surrounding the pogo stick photo. I almost did not include it.
But for those of us that grew up ENJOYING a pogo stick, I had to keep it in my post. The smile is sooo priceless. And, we all know how friggin’ goofey it is to try to stay on that friggin’ toy for any length of time!!! ;)
Now, we just need to get some of these kids a “deck” with a “kicker” so they can have some fun doing some “Old School” skateboarding! Ahhh … those were the days … banana boards, hard decks, full rotation trucks … hmmm …
June 20th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
OHHH! And the photo I REALLY wanted yet cannot find? The one where the soldier showed the young boy how to ride the pogo stick in the first place!
Now, that is even more special, to me. ‘Cause I would have been the first bug dork to spend time showing all the kids how to ride the pogo stick.
In full gear, I might add!
June 20th, 2006 at 12:37 pm
God bless America — and our troops!
June 22nd, 2006 at 5:47 am
Amazing how the author says with distain regarding bombing aspirin factories by the last administration…uhmmm how many innocent Iraqi’s lives and homes have been ruined. I guess you forgot to mention the red cross buildings and people–contents destroyed in this campaign. Hey couldn’t we see it was a red cross building or civilians homes? Of course not ..no more than the soldiers bombing the so called aspirin factory.You are the masters of spin. tunnel-visioned without recogntion that your thinking is way off. You are what is wrong in America.
Goodbye..
June 22nd, 2006 at 12:42 pm
Shirlee, I’m sorry you didn’t really read that my point was regarding “show of force” and appeasement being what was wrong with previous administrations. Oil for Food is a perfect example of why paying off dictators and missle toting 3rd world countries never works. And, the UN fails at every turn because they spend too much time talking and not enought time doing. Plus, the UN is anti-Semitic and obviously puts human rights abusers on the human rights council.
Now that is what is really wrong with world affairs. Wouldn’t you agree?
I’ll post a response to your misinterpretation of my post … sorry you got so upset that you won’t come back. You can learn quite a bunch here at California Conservative …