I was going to talk more about Georgia tonight, but I think this conversation should incorporate a number of items, so I ask for you to allow me this divergence. It might seem like I am a bit scatterbrained tonight, but I hope that by the end of this post, you understand where I am going.
Today, Iran said that it had successfully launched a dummy satellite into orbit. I am not going to get into the debate on whether this is true or not. (Hint it's not, they have lied and photo-shopped every picture until now, why should I believe this.) What is more important though is the message behind the message. Why would Iran say that they have sent a satellite into orbit? Well, if you can manufacture a missile system and a telemetry and tracking system to put a satellite into orbit, a true intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is not far away. Up until this point they have only had the ability to launch an improved range Theater Ballistic Missiles. This basically means they could range Europe. If they had an ICBM they could range us here in the United States along most of the Eastern Sea Board. It was, simply put, a warning that they can strike us. Personally the hot air from them didnt even make me turn up my air conditioning.
Speaking of hot air, our Secretary of State seemed very agitated with the Russian Federation today, and for good reason. According to the Cease-Fire that they signed, they should be out of Georgia by now. News Flash, they are not. The town of Gori is still under their control. The claims is that they are securing ammo depots, they are preparing to withdraw on Monday, to they are there for the law and order of Gori. Well, as far as securing ammo depots, what right do they have to do that? Second, you should have withdrawn days ago and by my rationale never crossed into Georgia proper. Third, you destroyed the law and order of Gori when you secured it for irregular forces to operate in. Talking from a position of International Law, only works when you didnt violate it getting to that point of the debate.
A number of people have written comments and emails today saying that Russia should leave Georgia when America leaves Iraq and Afghanistan. As I said in a comments section post, this is like comparing apples and oranges. United States Forces are in Iraq and Afghanistan at the pleasure of their duly elected governments. If Iraq turned around tomorrow and said leave, guess what, we would have to leave, and we would. That is part of being a sovereign nation, and the difference, is that we respect that. Anyone who wants to compare this to Iraq and Afghanistan is doing nothing more then trying to exploit the current situation to further their own personal agenda, and are just plain wrong.
As far as what this means for the future, well that is not complicated. I have said it before, and I will say it again, with respects to JK Rowling and Harry Potter, "The time has come for people to choose between what is right and what is easy." Any country that wants to stand up for human rights, wants to protect its citizens, wants to be a form of democracy and foster freedom, and wants to stand up to tyrannical regimes, my personal opinion is that we should bring them into NATO. Maybe as we go forward, we need a new acronym, but the concept stays the same, freedom loving countries. Freedom is never free, and I salute any country that wants to stand for it, with us.
There are a number of countries in the world today that do not believe this. They would rather take advantage of their citizens, rape their women, mistreat their people, and try to intimidate their neighbors. The time for this ended centuries ago. President George W Bush had it right when he said, "you are with us or against us." But it means more then just terrorist organizations. If you want to stand for freedom, stand with us. If you want to stand for oppression and mistreatment of your people, so be it, but know that we will not stand for it, and that you will be dealt with accordingly.
As Always, May God Bless America, and may He be with all freedom loving people everywhere.
Bryan
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7 comments:
Excellent commentary Major, not very scatterbrained at all, especially for a doggie officer :-)
I agree wholeheartedly that todays war is freedom versus tyranny. In fact, that is the essence of every war we have ever fought.
And we are winning. There are more democracies now than there were at the end of WWII, and hopefully there will continue to be more as we go forward. That is the only hope for true peace, when evil men fear to show their face.
Any country that stands for freedom and human rights is our ally, and any that strive to enslave people, either their own or others, are our enemies.
I second 0311 Crunchie. Excellent commentary.
When Russia told Condi they'd withdraw - - I actually snorted out a laugh. Uh, yah right. For anyone to not have seen the non-withdrawl happening they had to have had their blinders on. I know Ms. Rice knew they weren't going to abide by the agreement. What makes Russia abide? When has their handshake ever really meant anything? I think they need to fly in a BLT of Marines into Gori and say, "We're here to provide security - - now withdraw." Stuff like this is what the Marines are for. (sorry, no offense to the Army)
Secure the ammo dumps. Ya, right, anyone interested in a bridge? They are securing them alright, all the way back to Russia is where they are securing the ammo.
Crunchie,
". . .any country that stands for freedom. . .our ally? I'm no expert, so define "stand" please. I'm seeing a lot of stand aside, stand down, stand by, but not much stand up. Do we really have the military resources to stand alone? Poor Georgian troops stood up and beside us in Iraq when others had withdrawn.
As I said, I'm no expert, but I do know one when I see one! Thanks for bringing it all home, Major C. Great synopsis.
flyonthewall who forgot her password
Major,
Your thoughts are not scatterbrained, Your words ring true.
I have always believed there is Right and there is Wrong. There are those who will stand up for Right, for Truth, for Freedom. Those that stand will overshadow the evil.
K
Well Major, another well written and thoughful summary.. it's too bad there are few statesmen in Washington who could have thought this as thorough (course they would have to be Harry Potter fans). We, the citizens of the USA need to a better job of electing those who represent us. If we are a freedom loving people, as we all say, then we need those ideals in the people we elect. The USA is one of God's blessed countries of todays modern era and we as a nation have the duty to help the helpless.
We all need to remember General John Stark quote on the 32nd anniversary reunion of the 1777 Battle of Bennington, "Live Free or Die; Death Is Not The Worst of Evils", must be upheld here in the US as well as around the globe that we all live on.
Great Job and keep it up...
NU Forever..
Good Evening Everyone,
Thank You very much for the kind words on the post. I truly believe as one of the comments said that freedom isnt free and death is not the worst of things.
Fly,
Well that has been one of my largest worries, that we didnt do eneough for the Georgian's and what will the reprecussions of that be?
To answer your question, yes we could have. It would have been painful but we could have. Many people believe that because of Iraq and Afghanistan, that we can not deal with another issue or conflict. We could, but it would come with a price. There are units available, Marine and Army, but many would not have been back for long.
There were other non-military and flexible deterrant options we could have used also that would have had minimal impact upon our force structure but sent a very clear signal to the Kremlin.
Bryan
"There were other non-military and flexible deterrant options we could have used also that would have had minimal impact upon our force structure but sent a very clear signal to the Kremlin."
Like I had said earlier, a CVG and an ARG changing course would be enough to send the message. The firepower that a Carrier Battle Group and a MEU brings to the table would be enough to make any Soviet...er I mean Russian Division take a long introspective analysis of his career choice.
flyonthewall who forgot her password, A good definition of standing for freedom would be what Georgia did in 2003, staging a political revolution to oust the communist holdouts from the break up of the USSR,and then befriending the one country who had stood firm against their former oppressors. Or Iraqis standing in line during mortar barrages to vote or enlist in the INA, countries who suffered under the yoke of oppression and are now trying to establish representative democracies of their own. Those who appreciate what we have, what we take for granted and they desire for themselves, and are now part of the coalition in Iraq. Many different definitions, but like the dude once said about pornography, I know it when I see it.
And yes, we left the Georgians out to dry on this one. It will take a long time to repair our reputation as an ally after this.
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