The implications of the war in Iraq for our future

On Monday the Democratic leadership in the Senate upped the ante in the high-stakes Iraq poker game by proposing a withdrawal of funds for the Iraq War by March 31, 2008. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) explained the rationale behind his co-sponsoring of the proposal:

In the face of the administration's stubborn unwillingness to change course, the Senate has no choice but to force a change of course.

Turning off the pipeline that ensures our military is properly resourced is the only course of action available to the Senate leadership? That is difficult to comprehend. I suppose this action is to be construed in some way as supporting the troops, though I have failed to see how cutting off the funding necessary for waging a war most effectively is going to accomplish that intention. Such political posturing, if it matures from a theoretical proposal to a confirmed reality, will come at a very high price in American lives. And leveraging those lives in this kind of political power grab is irresponsible at best.

This terminal measure imposes increasing pressure on an already-volatile situation, and thus, warrants our thoughtful consideration about the Global War on Terror (GWOT) and its implications for our future. Whether the American people fully appreciate it or not, our understanding of the war is not as enlightened as we might believe it to be. In fact, our perspective is filtered through the editorial lens of the MSM outlets reporting to us on the nightly news. Even The New York Time's byline, "All the news that's fit to print," assumes an editorial license that is largely determined by the philosohical bias of the editor.

Why is this significant? Because a war that is merely defined by dollar signs, daily casualty reports, and the latest polls of lagging American support for the war effort, distracts us away from the larger implications of this conflict. The truth of the matter is that the radical ideology of Muslim extremists will not simply vanish from Iraq even if we do. As Charles Krauthammer points out, even our adversaries like Osama bid Laden and Al Qaeda's number 2 man, Ayman Zawahiri, understand the centrality of Iraq in this GWOT. The question is, do we?

In his new book, Chosen Soldier, ex-Navy Seal and CIA officer, Dick Crouch, offers some insider analysis from one who has seen the other side of such global conflicts. (Stay tuned for a future post on this excellent treatise.) He intimately understands the foundational forces at work in this conflict. At its most basic level, the War in Iraq concerns a clash of worldviews. And the terrorist insurgents are unwavering in their commitment to their cause.

Those who naïvely suggest that the Islamic terrorists are merely "freedom fighters" fail to account for the veritable reality of evil in our world. (For a more accurate perspective on true freedom fighters, see this excerpt from a speech President Reagan gave on the matter.) If anything, the attacks on September 11th revealed that modern warfare is no longer bounded by geography or convention.

Though many people would like to, we cannot turn back the hands of history and extract ourselves from Iraq. Thus, any attempts at retrospective analysis of the "could'ves and should'ves" is fruitless. For right reasons or wrong, we've committed ourselves to this war (including the many Democrats who are now getting wobbly on a war they originally voted to pursue). And we dare not waver in this clash of civilizations. For our complacency will be our undoing, and the fallout will be felt for generations to come.

Comments

[Abby Hoefer]

But do you really think war is the answer? Will it really do any good? What the people in Iraq need is the same thing we all need. Jesus Christ. Until He invades their hearts and souls no amount of bombs and killings will be enough to scare them into compliancy. Can we really expect our American system of Democracy to work? Is it even right for us to? And really, the reasons for the war have much more to do with money and power. I find it sad that the Republicans play two cards. The pro-life movement...and the war. Are there any less abortions done today than when Bush came into office? What has he really done to promote pro-life? Yet that was one of his major political stances that I believe earned him many Christian votes. Yet he thinks it is OK to kill thousands of people in the name of war.....how pro life is that?

[Andy Bullock]

John, good post, especially the last two paragraphs. We as a nation need more unity on this issue obviously. The end game with all of this is the end of America as we have known it. People need to realize that if we don't fight these people (and I mean really fight them, not this police action we've got going on) we're done as a free country. I worry about the world all of us are going to grow old in, because it looks like it will be nothing like it is now.

People, take this seriously and discern good from evil. If we don't fight this war, and win, there will be no Amercan babies to abort.

Abby, tell us more about the thousands of people that George Bush has killed in the name of war. Because really, this is no war (and I doubt you can point out one person he has killed). Look up Dresden and Tokyo during WW2, that is how wars are fought and won. It's aweful, gruesome, and nobody wants it or takes pleasure in it, I get upset thinking about it. But if we hadn't done that, we'd be speaking either German or Japanese now, and you would not have the freedom to speak your mind like you have, and evil would rule.

[Abby Hoefer]

Honestly Andy...do you really think I meant Bush has literally killed thousands? I meant the war which he supports and allows to continue has......

And the comment about no American babies to abort wasn't necessary. Abortion is horrible and gruesome and not something to be taken lightly.

Oh one thing we do agree on....John writes excellant, well thought out posts that challenge me to think.....

[Ben]

Two quick thoughts:
>The GWOT has been raging for a long time. We (US) just now recognized it and offically entered it offensively. We've had attacks and it wasn't until it was on our soil that we called it "war" - it's a shame that our country or at least the "polled majority" don't recognize this

>George Bush will have done more to stop abortion with our two new Supreme Court justices than any statements or speeches. These two conservative justices will have a lasting legacy for generations to come. I think he could do more to articulate a Christian response to stem research that ultimately comes down to valuing human life.

[Pete Ross]

I write in response to a previous post asking if war is really the answer.

Certainly war is an abhorrent state of existence, but it is noticeably better than slavery.

Many countries fight wars to enslave their neighbors. America historically fights wars to end tyranny and emancipate the oppressed. Our involvement in Iraq is no different as evidenced by the Kurdish Iraqi television commercials thanking America for its involvement in Iraq. The Kurds are a recently emancipated people who must buy commercial time because the mainstream media will not let their story see the light of day. There are many similar "micro" stories across Iraq.

Is it right for us to combat tyranny around the globe? If from the quiet confines of your living room you observed the neighbor severely beating his young child, would you a) run out of the house to intervene; b) call the cops to see if they intervene; or
c) take no action while pondering whether intervention is really the right thing to do. How often could we walk away from doing the right thing because we are waiting for Jesus to invade the hearts of tyrants?

God blessed this land with untold resources, incomparable kindness and courage. When we no longer have the intestinal fortitude to fight evil, who will pick up the banner, the French?

Freedom around the world exists because America is strong, free and willing to fight the world's bullies. Once we abdicate that responsibility, the bullies will be energized and they will overwhelm the civilized world. Let's not forget what happened in Cambodia when the civilized world, tired of the Vietnam conflict, turned a blind eye to Pol Pot's murderous Khmer Rouge government.

Which is more Christ like, waiting for Jesus to invade a tyrant's heart, or demonstrating a willingness to shed one's blood for another? All those in the uniform of the United States' armed forces have chosen the latter course. We must all ask ourselves which course we will take. We can rationalize any course of action to ourselves. Someday, we will have to withstand the scrutiny of He who shed His blood for us.

PGR

[andy Bullock]

"Honestly Andy...do you really think I meant Bush has literally killed thousands? I meant the war which he supports and allows to continue has......"

-Abby, if you are going to participate in left-wing liberal move-on-dot-org rhetoric like that, I'm going to confront it. Next it will be "Bush lied, people died!". Although I think this war is being run immorally inadequate, I do support the purpose behind it, and the people that DID come out and vote democratically (more than once) in free elections, let's not forget that.

"And the comment about no American babies to abort wasn't necessary. Abortion is horrible and gruesome and not something to be taken lightly."

-You and I agree on the second part. But the comment was absolutely necessary. "Ben" is right in saying Bush has done more than others (due to timing of his presidency) for the pro-life abortion movement. But remember, laws start on "the hill", not the west wing (thank God), so he's a bit limited on what he can do. What he can do is protect the very freedoms that we do have, domestic and abroad. Abby if we don't defeat this islamic fascism, they will take over our country eventually, look to Europe (France) for the example. That is my point in writing what I did. If you follow this out to the logical conclusion, not only will there be no abortions, there will also be no Christian Churches, no pork, no sunday football, no freedom of speech, even more corruption, no womens rights, no gay rights, no animal rights, no nothing but Sharia law. You know, like dismemberment and "stuff" in jail for people like you and I who express our opinions.

Pete, you are a much better writer than me, and obviously more level headed. (That's probably why you actually have a chance at winning votes!) I love your responses, keep em up.