Iran’s Leaders WANT War ... J. D. Longstreet

J. D. Longstreet

Iran’s Leaders WANT War 

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

In order for the twelfth Imam to return to earth and set up a worldwide Caliphate, the world must be in chaos.  Not ought to be, not might be, not close to being, but MUST be in chaos.

The current theocratic leaders of Iran believe that it is incumbent on them to insure that the world is brought to chaos as soon as possible. 

The race in Iran to acquire nuclear weapons is critical to Iran’s obligation to create chaos through war. 

There must be a spark and some now believe that if Israel or the US do not soon ignite the conflagration of war then Iran will strike the US and/or Israel to insure that the chaos of war is soon visited on the world.

The recent passage of two Iranian warships through the Suez Canal sort of tipped Iran’s preemptive hand. Those ships stood off the Israeli coast, then turned and went back through the Canal, most likely to their homeport in Iran.  It was a head fake, if you will.  It was a way of saying:  “See?  We can come within easy missile range of Israeli cities with our naval assets.”  In a confirmation of sorts, Iranian leaders said that they could, and would, take preemptive action against Israel (or the US) if they felt it necessary.

In my opinion, Iranian leaders are under no illusion that they can win a war against Israel or the US and certainly not against BOTH.  But victory is not the point -- and it is certainly not the goal of the Mullahs.  The goal is to START the war.  Once the Middle East is aflame, THEN, and only then, can the twelfth Imam appear to lead the Islamic world to worldwide victory and the establishment of a global Islamic government.

No amount of sanctions will change their minds. Neither fleets of warships nor squadrons of aircraft from the western world, no matter the number; will stop the coming war with Iran. There will be war.  There MUST be war.

The civilized world is dealing with religious fanatics.  That is always bad.

Remember the Japanese military of the 2^nd World War?  Remember what it took to stop those religious fanatics?  Remember the costs in blood?   

At this writing, it seems clear that if Israel does not soon attack Iran, then Iran will attack Israel.

Obama’s diplomats, whether from the US State Department, or the Department of Defense, seem utterly at a lost to understand what is happening in the Middle East today.  To watch those men and woman at work is akin to watching a group of out and out amateurs. 

Obama’s involving America’s top generals in diplomatic missions is embarrassing to the soldiers and to the people of America.  It is an affront to the US military as a whole.  It is also a sign that the Commander-in-Chief hasn’t a clue what he is doing.

Iran has obviously decided that America is more willing to live with an Iran armed with atomic weapons than it is to go to war to prevent it.  Obama’s gutting of the US military and his desire to cut our nuclear arsenal by 80% is evidence that the Iranians are correct in their assessment of the Obama Regime.

Wisely, Israel doesn’t trust the Obama Regime.  How can they?  Obama has shown his distaste for Israel and his favor for the Islamic states quite clearly.  Israel would be foolish to discuss any plans they have for stopping Iran’s nuclear programs with the Obama regime.  Israel’s government is not foolish. 

In the meantime, Iran is basking in the spotlight the world has shone upon them.  They prance, preen, and strut across the world stage, like Bantam roosters, soaking up the attention.  They feel their importance and they don’t mind making spectacles of themselves before the world just to make sure the rest of us understand they (Iran) hold the keys to war and peace.

All the while, the 12^th Imam sits, down in his well, and waits for the chaos necessary to get him out of that hole.  After all the centuries he has spent in the bowels of the earth he is surely impatient.

The dogs of war are straining at their leashes growling, howling, and snapping their drooling jaws at civilization.  At the other end of the leashes is Iran’s mad mullahs hissing the words:  “Sic ‘em.”

J. D. Longstreet

Afghanistan: A Lost Cause And A Hopeless Case

Afghanistan: A Lost Cause And A Hopeless Case
Blissfully ignorant and happy to stay that way
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

When a country has chosen to isolate itself from the remainder of the world in a Luddite fashion (taken to the "nth" degree) and huddle together in tribes while choosing to live in abject squaller as their ancestors did in the seventh and eighth centuries, plus perceive any offering to help them advance into a modern age as an insult to them and their god of choice, then any one, any country, attempting to help will ultimately find their efforts are utter failures and the people to whom they have offered assistance will return their magnanimous offers with out and out hatred and rage.

Such is the case with the US and Afghanistan today.

The people and the rulers of Afghanistan have shown us they are quite content living their savage, primitive, ignorant, corrupt lives, as the cesspool of the world.  Fine.  Let them.  Afghanistan isn't worth the life of a single American soldier, sailor, Marine, or airman.

It was my understanding, and I believe the understanding of the majority of Americans, that US military forces went into Afghanistan to destroy terrorist training camps, kill as many terrorists AS POSSIBLE, hopefully catch or kill Bin Laden and ... come home.

That didn't happen.

Things called "mission creep"  and ROE or "rules of engagement" prolonged and changed the US military's mission in Afghanistan until neither the Afghanis nor the Americans understood what was going on in that hell hole of a country.

American troops have been in that sludge pit for over ten years now.  Victory is nowhere in sight.  In fact, the entire Pentagon would be hard pressed to define what victory would even look like in Afghanistan.

Many decades ago, while in the US Army, I was taught to kill the enemy.  Not a single one of my trainers, not a single one of the cadre entrusted with turning me and my fellow recruits into soldiers said a cussed thing about "collateral damage."  Not ONE!  We were taught to do one thing and that was ... to kill the enemy.

There were no lawyers in the in the battle planning sessions.  What there were ... were soldiers taught to ... KILL THE ENEMY, period.

Then came Vietnam -- and President Lyndon Johnson and President Richard Nixon, both, decided neither would go down in the history books as the first American President to lose a war.  Added to the mix, the newly imported European philosophy called POLITICAL CORRECTNESS and we had a battle plan for failure in Vietnam.

Unfortunately, our leaders didn't learn a darned thing from the Vietnam experience. They continue to allow political correctness and lawyers to "advise" on war fighting missions and battles -- and even wars -- and we have not won a "WAR" since. 

No, I do not consider the first Iraq invasion a real war.  It was more a prolonged battle, which lasted a few days.  Of course, I side with those of the opinion that had we gone on to Baghdad -- THEN --and took out Saddam Hussein THEN -- we would not have had to go back to Iraq ten years later for a second round that accomplished little short of killing Hussein.

I can remember a time when the American military was taught to war-fight much as our Special Forces are today.  That may be because we did not have Special Forces troops then.  But the point is -- maybe we ought to train ALL American fighting men to conduct warfare at the level our Green Berets, Delta Force, SEALS and other Special Operators do. (I am referring to their focus, skill, and intensity in combat.)  Problem is,of course, unless the civilian commanders of the US Military allow them to use those skills to actually win wars, we STILL will not see victory again. 

What a shame!

That brings me full circle back to the Afghanistan problem. 

My friend, Alan Caruba, pointed out in a recent commentary that even Alexander the Great found Afghanistan just as screwed up as it is today and just as hard a nut to crack.  (You may recall that Genghis Khan had the same problem with a place we know today as Vietnam.  In fact  he wrote it off as "unconquerable.")  How little we learn from history -- and yes, it DOES repeat itself.  Different actors, different centuries, same ending to the play. 

I ask you to consider if General Douglas MacArthur or General George Patton were commanding the American forces in Afghanistan,  and Afghanistan's leader, Hamid Karzai, publicly defied their orders and made "DEMANDS" as he consistently does the current American commander's orders. How long do you think Mr. Karzai would be President of Afghanistan?  Better yet -- how long do you think there would BE a President of Afghanistan?
  
My, how times do change.  I'd remind you -- we haven't actually WON a war since the Second World War.  Wonder why???

Unless the United States is prepared to commit genocide in Afghanistan, there is simple no way to win a "war" there.  If we stay another ten years, we will be in no better position, militarily, than we are today.  

So far as democracy in Afghanistan --- the Afghanis are simple not capable of living in a democratic society.  It cannot be forced on them.  They have to want it.  Clearly, they do not.

Conclusion:  Stop pouring American blood and treasure into an open septic tank.   JUST STOP.  Bring our military out so they can prepare for the coming war with Iran.  

We should turn our backs and shake Afghanistan's dust off our boots -- and never look back.  

Finally, will someone please tell our Presidents to stop giving aid and comfort to our enemies by telling them, months in advance, when American troops will be leaving their country?  Even the dumbest of hill tribesmen understands that all he has to do is conserve his troops and supplies and wait 'til the Americans leave to resume his war.   This is elementary stuff -- and yet -- the civilian leader(s) of the US military cannot grasp this simple, simple, fact.

J. D. Longstreet

Obama And Romney Tied

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

Rasmussen reported yesterday (January 5^th, 2011) that Obama and Romney are tied in their polls.

“The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds Obama and Romney each earning 42% of the vote.  Eight percent (8%) prefer some other candidate, and another eight percent (8%) are undecided.” (SOURCE)

However, Rasmussen goes on to say,  “Last week, Romney held a 45% to 39% advantage over the president, his biggest lead yet and the largest lead a named Republican candidate has held over Obama to date.  However, the two candidates have been essentially tied in regular surveys since January 2011.  The report continues:  “A generic Republican candidate now holds a narrow lead over Obama as has been the case in all but three weekly surveys since late May.” (SOURCE)

The same report also says:  “Voters identify all of the leading Republican presidential contenders as ideological conservatives but see Romney and Texas Congressman Ron Paul as the least conservative of the group.”

(SOURCE)   

Ok.  So what to make of all this?  The truth?  I haven’t a clue!

You have heard the old saw that polls are only a snapshot in time -- and that is true – but they certainly help to identify trends.  Even so, those trends are, too, snapshots in time.

I remain deeply concerned that Obama will win a second term.  I fear for my country.

Some months ago, I warned that the Mainstream Media would soon begin to make “upbeat” reports on the nations economic situation.  It has already begun.  Frankly, it is mostly Bovine Scatology.  They would have us believe the unemployment rate is 8.6% when, in reality, it is closer to 12%. 

The MsM would also have us believe that the economy has begun to improve when; in fact, if there is any improvement it is miniscule.  Just yesterday we learned that Boeing is planning to lay off 2,100 workers from a Wichita Plant -- and Obama is reported to be preparing to cut tens of thousands of US military troops from our ground forces.  All these people will some be looking for jobs that simply do not exist.

I mentioned the two instances of coming lay-offs above because they are linked.   Boeing says they are closing the Wichita plant due to “defense budget reductions.” (SOURCE)

Look:  My crystal ball is extremely cloudy these days – but even without it -- it is plain to see that the US is staring down the barrel of a regional war in the Middle East -- and soon. When the balloon goes up, we are going to need those ground troops.  Is Obama planning on reinstating the draft?  I would not be the least bit surprised.

According to the Jerusalem Post, thousands of US troops will be deployed to Israel this spring for Israel’s largest ever missile defense exercise. The J-Post says: “Last week, Lt.-Gen. Frank Gorenc, commander of the US’s Third Air Force based in Germany, visited Israel to finalize plans for the upcoming drill, expected to see the deployment of several thousand American soldiers in Israel.” (SOURCE)

Now here’s the really interesting part of this story: “The drill, which is unprecedented in its size, will include the establishment of US command posts in Israel and IDF command posts at EUCOM headquarters in Germany – with the ultimate goal of establishing joint task forces in the event of a large-scale conflict in the Middle East.” (SOURCE)

It appears to this scribe that the world is edging ever closer to a conflagration in the Middle East that will affect the entire world.  It all seems eerily familiar to the conditions prior to the Second World War.

This is what happens, dear reader, when America withdraws from its role in world leadership.  Obama’s “Leading from behind” simply does not work -- and it is dangerous.

America is at a point in world history when we need a strong leader -- a leader not afraid to assert America’s leadership.  Obama is NOT that person.

I am very afraid there is no one vying for America’s leadership today any stronger as a national or world leader. 

In a recent column, Thomas Sowell said:  “The 2012 Republican primaries may be a rerun of the 2008 primaries, where the various conservative candidates split the conservative vote so many ways that the candidate of the mushy middle got the nomination – and then lost the election.”   I think he pegged it.

I will be genuinely surprised if America is not involved in what passes for a world war these days -- within the next four years. I plan to vote accordingly. 

J. D. Longstreet

Iran Threatens The Straits Of Hormuz Again

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

I sometimes wonder if Iran actually enjoys being a boil on the world’s backside.  They have been a pain in the posterior, most especially of the US, since the decade of the 1970’s. 

America spends millions upon millions of taxpayer’s dollars to patrol the shoreline of Iran in an on-going attempt to keep the oil flowing through the Persian Gulf.  Only a portion of that oil is bound for the US, which means the US is acting, again, as the global police. 

What is it with nations like Iran and North Korea?  They seem to feel they must continuously stir up trouble so the rest of the world won’t forget they are there.  Like a spoiled child “acting out” to get the attention of his parents, these rogue nations will scream and stamp their feet and wail like banshees until somebody notices them.

Recently, Iran has outpaced North Korea with their spoiled brat theatrics.

Once again, Iran is threatening to close the Straits of Hormuz.  Although the Straits are approximately 20 miles wide at the narrowest point, the sea-lanes are only 4-miles wide with a two-mile wide partition between the incoming sea-lane and the outgoing sea-lane. 

Yes, Iran has the capability of closing the Straits.  She can attack oil tankers while they are in the straits, sink them, and create a blockage of the waterway.  But there is little doubt, if any, that the US would strike Iran, with all barrels blazing, if Iran was dumb enough to execute a military strike on unarmed merchant vessels within the straits in a bid to close the Gulf and stop the flow of oil out of those waters through the Straits of Hormuz. 

Some 40 percent of the world’s oil, transported by sea, passes through the Straits of Hormuz.  Thus, effectively closing the Straits would create a worldwide shortage of petrol and petroleum based products… and that is nearly everything.  I don’t think it is really possible, at this point in world history, to estimate the damage to the global economy such an act would cause.

To say there would be an increase in gas prices would be an understatement of enormous proportions.  It would, no doubt, push many of the world’s nations over the brink, upon which they are tottering today, and into the abyss of economic collapse.  There would be chaos on a global scale. 

And there would be war.

There seems little doubt that most of Iran’s naval assets would be destroyed before they ever cast off their lines or hauled in their anchors.  Her submarines, (old Kilo class subs) are of special interest to the US Navy (as are all submarines) and, we suspect, they would be destroyed almost immediately.  Besides, operating a submarine in the shallow waters of the Gulf presents special problems for even the best submariners and, frankly, we have doubts about the proficiency of Iranian sub crews. 

So, what about Iran’s ship killer missiles?  Well, they have them -- and they reportedly are mounted on those so-called “fast attack” boats we became so familiar with during the Iran-Iraq war. The missile is reportedly a hybrid.  They are said to be a cross between the old US Harpoon missile and the old French Exocet missile.  They are made -- you guessed it – in China.

Iran should understand that any unprovoked attack on shipping in the Straits will bring an instantaneous counter attack by the US Navy and, certainly, the navies of other countries whose oil supplies would be severely curtailed or cut-off completely. The advantage to Iran of any such attack is difficult, if not impossible, to discern.

But if, as the theology experts warn us, Iran is determined to pave the way for the return of the 12th Imam, the Madi, which is said to depend upon worldwide chaos, then such an unprovoked attack is certainly within the realm of possibility and, frankly, probability.  In any event, the US -- and the world -- should be prepared.

The other troubling aspect of our current state of relations between the US and Iran is what many Americans define as weak leadership coming from the Office of the President of the United States.  This concern was underlined when our Commander-in-Chief did not order US troops to recover the lost reconnaissance UAV aircraft that, apparently, landed itself in Iran recently.  Even a missile attack on the drone to insure it’s destruction and prevent our top secret intelligence gathering electronics from falling into the hands of Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea, would have been preferable to Obama’s reaction, which was, shamefully, NO action.

The point of all this is simple.  Even though we are celebrating the return from Iraq of US forces this month, and family reunions at Christmastime, we must keep our forces well trained, well equipped, and leaning forward … because we WILL be forced to return to war in the Gulf region soon … very soon.

J. D. Longstreet

The Sino-America War

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

It is coming as sure as the sun rises in the east.  China and America are headed for a military showdown. 

China’s recent announcement that it will now consider roughly 90% of the South China Sea it’s territorial waters will certainly cause our two navies to brush up against each other and create sparks… sparks that could easily ignite a global conflict between the US and China.

“China’s aggressive behavior and threatening rhetoric are complemented by massive militarization. Beijing is projecting military power far from its shores with a rapidly growing, modern blue-water navy, long-range aircraft with refueling capabilities, a global satellite network, anti-access ballistic missiles (read aircraft carrier killers) and its first aircraft carrier. These instruments of war provide Beijing an expeditionary capability that could lead to a shooting war.” (SOURCE)

Things have gotten so touchy between the US and China militaries that “… the U.S. established a cold war-like hotline between China’s People's Liberation Army and the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff …”) (SOURCE)

With tensions so high it is prudent to expect the US 7^th Fleet to find itself in perilous situations with China’s navy as the 7^th fleet patrols the South China Sea.

All this pugnacious behavior by China has scared the dickens out of many of the neighborhood’s Asian countries. They have begun banding together and they are asking the US to join with them to aid them in countering China’s expansionist moves in the region.

Just as things are reaching critical mass in the Middle East and China is showing signs that it is about to begin throwing it’s military weight around, the US government is seriously discussing massive cuts in the US military.  If the huge cuts in the military budget, made possible by the failure of the Congressional “Super Committee’s” inability to reach some sort of agreement, are actually allowed to come to pass, the US will have a military slightly larger than it had at the beginning of World War One. The feared “hollow military” will become a fact --  and the world will be defenseless against such opportunist countries as China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, not to mention the Islamofacists and their terror machine.

Look.  Cutting the US military at such a critical time in world history would be stupid and idiotic -- not to mention suicidal.

A US-China war has been brewing since shortly after the Second World War.  With Chinese interests and assets all over the world now, when it comes, it will be a global conflict.  

The ‘dogs of war” are inevitably set loose when America elects a weak President.  Mr. Obama has proven to be an astonishingly weak President. His administration has been a “by-stander” administration. He enjoys leading from the rear much as “parade ground generals” do.  It looks good, but it does absolutely nothing to either maintain the peace or instill confidence in the military -- let alone our friends and allies.

If history has taught us anything -- it is that a weak US President invites trouble from America’s enemies.

Leftist and liberal presidents usually ARE weak in defending America.  It appears they are embarrassed for being an American citizen, and they jump at every chance to apologize to the world for what THEY consider America’s mistakes.  Such weakness only emboldens America’s enemies and makes a laughing stock of America’s President. More importantly, it places the people of the United States in danger.    

Some in the Obama Administration are suggesting to the President that the US should reduce its military commitment in the Middle East and re-focus on Asia.  They are claiming the US has allowed Asia to “slide,” if you will, in the past few decades.  I agree with only a part of that suggestion.  It seems to me that America should focus on China and prepare for the inevitable – military conflict with the Chinese. At the same time, the US cannot afford to turn its back on the Middle East.  The plain truth is -- we MUST have Middle Eastern oil.  AND we have Islamic enemies based in the Middle East who are intent on the destruction of the US (and Israel).  In fact, the US will not BE ALLOWED to turn away from the Middle East, even if we wanted to.

China’s neighbors in Asia are seriously seeking to create a sort of NATO of Asian states with the US as the anchor, just as in NATO.  That may, in fact, turn out to be a good idea.  Even the former enemy of the US, Viet Nam, is angling for an American security blanket in Asia. THAT should tell you just how frightened China’s neighbors really are.

Even Europe is unstable these days.  European history teaches us that European states tend to go at each other’s throats when desperation sets in -- as it seems bound to do in the very near future.

The US simply cannot afford to reduce its military when the world is on the brink of utter chaos.

The wisest course, it seems to me, is for the US to BUILD-UP its military, and prepare for the coming contest between itself and China.  On the other hand, the US needs to accept that America is in the Middle East for many decades to come.  To make huge cuts in the US military budget now, or in the immediate future, is a pipe dream and should be trashed and forgotten.

J. D. Longstreet

Obama Versus The Lord’s Resistance Army!

Obama Versus The Lord’s Resistance Army!

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

Where, exactly, is the threat to the National Security of the United States in, uh, Uganda?  

Maybe its just my natural paranoia, or, it could be that after nearly three full years of watching Obama’s slight of hand, and misdirection of America’s attention, I suspect something more going on than we are led to believe.

Now we are learning that US troops are already on the ground in Uganda, AND, will (according to an ABC News report) ultimately go to South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the permission of those countries.

If my math is correct, the US is now currently engaged in military actions in four countries… simultaneously. If, and when, the US troops move across the borders in Africa, we will have military operations in not four, but SEVEN countries.

Is Obama now on a crusade to save the “dark continent?”  What’s really going on … I mean besides Obama sucking up to leftists bleeding heart groups that will not accept that no one can save Africa but AFRICA!

Obama says: “although the U.S. forces are combat-equipped, they will only be providing information, advice, and assistance to partner nation forces, and they will not themselves engage LRA forces unless necessary for self-defense.”   Uh-huh.    

Can you say VIETNAM??? 

Is the average age of Americans now so young that we must deduce that America no longer remembers the colossal mistake, humongous blunder, in Vietnam that cost the lives of over 50,000 US servicemen and women?  In the event that you do not remember… THIS is the way it began.

 The folks over at Department of Defense tell us that US troops will be Special Ops troops and  “will be traveling out to field locations in the areas affected by the LRA where they can interact with and advise those forces that are actively pursuing the LRA.” The spokesman went on to say: “they will not be engaging in direct combat against the LRA.”  Again, I am having flashbacks about the line of bull America was fed when we sent Special Ops troops into Vietnam to “advise” and not engage with the enemy except in self-defense.  Remember the Green Berets in Vietnam… not to mention Laos and Thailand? This is all so familiar that it is truly disturbing. 

Is anyone actually fooled by the seemingly small; number of troops Obama is committing to Africa…   100 troops… right? Not on your life!  In my day it took nine support troops for every combat soldier you had on the ground not to mention the material to conduct operations and the supply lines, by way of ship and aircraft, to keep them supplied while in the field.

What about air support for the troops in combat on the ground?  US troops ALWAYS have air to ground cover when engaging the enemy. It is one of the reasons our combat troops are so effective in battle.  They can call on air support when they need it.

“US Africa Command” says US forces are prepared to stay as long as necessary to enable regional security forces to carry on independently.    

Look.  The Lord’s Resistance Army is a rag tag bunch of tin pot desperadoes who have wreaked havoc in that part of Africa for years.  But … they present NO THREAT to the national security of the US.  I am convinced this is more of the UN’s “Responsibility to Defend,” policy, which will keep the world in a constant state of war.  (By “the world,” I mean, of course, the United States and the US military.)

The loss of the lives of US soldiers in Uganda, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, will quickly turn Americans against this President’s seemingly whimsical approach to war. Consider, too, the cost of our treasure… in money.  It is one more expense the US taxpayer simply cannot afford.   

Another reminder.  The President is hanging his authority to commit troops to this hopeless situation on a law passed by a democrat controlled Congress in May of 2010 called “The Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act.”  The bill passed both houses of Congress, overwhelmingly, which is not surprising since liberal guilt has a long, long, history of leaving it’s bloody imprint of the pages of history through what we now refer to as “unintended consequences.”

The bill contained these words:  “… providing political, economic, military, and intelligence support for viable multilateral efforts to protect civilians from the Lord’s Resistance Army.”

We know the left does not understand the military …  and …  they sure as heck do not understand the application of military force.

Africa is the quick sand of the world.  It will suck a nation in and, eventually, under.  Ask Great Britain, France, Germany, or even Belgium.

The current Congress should immediately cut off all funding for this foray into foolishness at the expense of American lives and American money.

J. D. Longstreet

Is History Repeating … Again?

Is History Repeating … Again?

Deja Vu all over again.

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

Just before sitting down to write this piece, I checked the news, as I always do.  As usual, it was distressing and depressing.

I learned that the US stock market had plunged again.  This time by as much as 500 points before it closed at 391 points down.  I learned that the global markets closed down by 4%.  And I heard the recently oft repeated refrain that the US is on the slippery slope toward another recession -- making this a so-called double dip recession. Sadly, I am convinced that much of today’s global population hasn’t a clue as to just how serious and just how dangerous a period in world history we are currently experiencing.

I was born into a world still reeling from the Great Depression.  I joined the human race just before the Second World War. 

The so-called experts say the first five years of a child’s life are the formative years.  What he sees, hears, and experiences will determine, for better or for worse, how he lives his life. 

My generation’s internal wiring was influenced by a world under tremendous stress.  Some say it was a time of unequal distress for the inhabitants of the planet.

Those early experiences lead us to compare every world crisis or pseudo-crisis with the REAL world wide crisis we were born into and, for all intents and purposes, grew-up in.

So.  Having said all the above, allow me to assess where we are today -- as seen through my eyes. 

I’m a plain ole country boy with average intelligence and a hell of a lot of experience earned in the school of hard knocks.  Many of those “hard knocks” were self-imposed as a result of my own stupidity.  But – I learned and, for the most part, I retained the knowledge gained from those errors in judgment.

With those bona fides behind me … here we go.

I am very afraid we are on the cusp of a world war more destructive than any this earth has ever experienced.

Look around you.  The people of the planet are near panic mode.   Their countries and governments are crashing around them, their money is quickly becoming worthless, the fortunes many have worked and accumulated, or inherited from the sweat of their ancestors, is quickly draining away. 

There are wars and rumors of wars all over the planet.  The worldwide anxiety level is palpable.

My own country, the United States, is involved in three wars as I write.  America’s military is stretched to very near her military limits.  Our combat forces are fatigued and war weary.  But there is no end in sight. 

Serving as the global police department has been a huge drain on America’s treasury and our military. 

As America becomes tired, those predator nations from whom America has protected so much of the world since WW-II, are, even now, evaluating their chances for hegemony in various regions of the globe.  The Middle East, as usual, is especially vulnerable to a concentrated military attack by a well armed, disciplined rogue nation with no qualms about slaughtering millions in an attempt to enlarges their land area, their influence on world politics, and their domination of the region – not to mention control of the world’s supply of oil and it’s transit of the sea lanes in the Middle East, the Red Sea area, and the Indian Ocean. 

Someone one once observed, “ … When everything is going to hell in a hand basket, there seems always to be someone who steps forward with all the answers.”  The observer continued:  “Quite often that person turns out to be insane.”  

The observer paraphrased above was spot-on.  We saw it happen in Germany, in the 1930’s, and the result was the greatest war the world had ever seen costing millions upon millions their lives before the German homeland was absolutely destroyed by Allied Forces.

The point?  The world is rapidly digressing to the same stage of anxiety and out and out fear in which the world of the 1930’s spawned the insane leader mentioned above.

I’m a realist … neither an optimist nor a pessimist.  I try very hard to see things as they really are and not as I wish them to be. And, in my opinion, the war clouds are already gathering over the eastern horizon. 

When this war comes it will necessarily involve, to one extent or the other, all the nations of the earth.  And it will be following the cycle of war, peace, prosperity, financial collapse, and war again.  Granted – it is a manmade cycle, but it is an extant cycle, nevertheless.

If one observes current world events through the lens of history, it is clear the world is in that stage, which historically leads to war.

Realists are rarely surprised.  Consider this commentary a “heads-up” from a realist. 

J. D. Longstreet  

America’s Most Unpopular War in Forty Years

America’s Most Unpopular War in Forty Years
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet


The Libyan War is proving to be America’s most unpopular war in the past four decades say the pollsters.

OK. I AM calling it the Libyan War. Despite what the left, Obama’s supporters, and Obama himself, would have you believe, the act of establishing and enforcing a no-fly zone over a country IS AN ACT OF WAR!

From my standpoint, one of the reasons why Americans are not enamored of the Libyan War is because -- Obama will not take out Gaddafi. Americans would like to see Gaddafi GONE. I don’t mean gone to Venezuela, but GONE as in departed this life.

Another reason, I believe, Americans just cannot support our efforts in Libya, is that Obama does not seem committed to winning in Libya. The moment he stated publicly that the US would not place US troops on the ground in Libya; he lost a huge chunk of American support for the war. Whether we do, or do not place boots on the ground in Libya, is really not the issue troubling so many of us. It is what seems to be a lack of commitment on the part of the Commander-in-Chief to do whatever it takes to get the job done in Libya. THAT is the problem.

Handing the war off to NATO is only going to make the execution of the war even worse. It will be war by committee. Thee is a better than even chance that without American leadership, Gaddafi will die of old age in Tripoli!

But, the longer I observe America’s third consecutive war with a Muslim country the uneasier I become. I have a persisting feeling that there is much more going on in the Middle East -- and we are unaware of it -- because that is what the Obama Regime wants.

Over the past weeks and months I, along with many other commentators, have described the Middle East as “aflame.” While that is a truthful description of current events there, I have the foreboding feeling that the REAL crisis has not even begun.

Have you noticed the only Middle Eastern country not aflame with “rebels’, or protesters, demanding a change in their government? Yes. It is Israel.

But, I must tell you that while the eyes of the world are drawn to the uprisings in the Muslim world, events are taking place in Israel that force me to believe that soon, Israel will be leading the news … not Libya and not Gaddafi. In fact, I have come to believe that the dust-up in Libya will soon become a sideshow to the war, which I have come to believe, is eminent in Israel.

On Wednesday of this week Hamas fired 15 more shells into Israel. Amos Gilad, Israel’s senior Defense Ministry adviser, has reportedly told Hamas to knock-off the rocket and mortar attacks on Israel and to not do so will be a grave mistake.

Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu was reported in the Israeli press as saying: “We have set a clear policy on security, the essence of which is a vigorous response to any attempt to harm Israeli citizens, and systematic and assertive preventive measures against terrorism.” Netanyahu went on to say: “They are trying to test our resolve and the fortitude of our people. They will learn that the government, the IDF and the Israeli public have an iron will to defend the state and its citizens.”

Israel is gearing up for war. The coming conflict will make the “Cast Lead” Operation resemble a Sunday School picnic.

If Israel attacks Gaza and Hamas with a full scale IDF invasion -- while the Muslim blood lust is up -- there is the potential for a hellish regional war, which would, no doubt, involve the use of nuclear weapons.

Why do I continue to pound the nightmare of a nuclear war in the Middle East? Because Israel is ready to unleash her nuclear arsenal as a last ditch effort to save their tiny country.

Now, this is important: We know that Obama is no friend to Israel. We are fairly certain that when Israel goes to war Obama will not lift a finger to help Israel. That means Israel will have to use whatever it has to defend itself. That means nuclear weapons.

Obama is supposedly a well-read man. I don’t know how much of the Bible he has read or how much of it he believes. I must tell you, as a southerner, I was reared in a home where the Bible was revered, read, discussed, and committed to memory. I distinctly remember God’s promise to Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you.”

It is apparent to anyone with eyes to see that Obama has stopped America’s support of Israel. It is also clear to anyone who cares to accept reality, that America is already paying the price for forsaking Israel. If you doubt it, look around you. Read a newspaper. Watch the news on TV. Check it on the Internet. America will pay a horrible price for throwing Israel to the wolves of the Middle East.

It is clear that Obama has no taste for war. The leader of a warrior nation, like America, ought to be a warrior. Obama is not. He is obviously out of his element as are the majority of his administration. He has withdrawn America from the leadership role in practically everything around the globe. What we are seeing in the Middle East is the result of Obama’s withdrawal of American leadership.

Like it or not, America is the Global Police. At least we have been until Obama. When the world dialed 911 – America answered. No longer.

Is Obama deliberately destroying America? It is an honest, sincere, question and it deserves an answer. He does not believe in American exceptionalism. He apparently DOES believe in an open society, a world without borders, and the redistribution of America’s wealth. In other words: Obama speaks, acts, and governs as a communist would speak, act, and govern. (See Alan Caruba’s recent article: “Obama: As Red As It Gets” HERE.)

America is in trouble today… but the REAL trouble hasn’t arrived … yet! But, rest assured, it IS on the way. And America has the wrong man in the Oval Office to deal with it when it arrives.

America: Prepare for a great tribulation unlike anything this nation has seen since it’s founding. And who is to blame? We are – for we elected Obama. Sometimes democracy can be it’s own worst enemy.

J. D. Longstreet

The Inevitable War With Iran

The Inevitable War With Iran
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

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A war with Iran is “a given.” It is as some say: “a “fait accompli.” Just exactly who the combatant nations will be remains to be seen, however. My crystal ball is a bit cloudy in that area of prophecy.

We are fairly sure Israel will be one of the combatants and even though the US protests that it does not want a fight with Iran, I don’t see how it can be avoided. Even if the current US Presidential Administration will not assist Israel in a war with Iran the Obama Regime WILL assist Saudi Arabia!

We never seem to learn, here in the “good ole USA.” We still insist on getting more people killed on both sides of a conflict than is necessary to settle the dispute. That is especially true when we have the misfortune to have a liberal/socialist/communist/progressive in the White House and those with the same political philosophy control the national legislature.

“How is that?” you may ask.

Well, those of the President’s political persuasion believe they are smarter than anyone else on the planet and this self-deception leads them to be made fools of EVERY SINGLE TIME! They simply cannot accept that ANYONE is smart enough to deceive them… ever. And therein lies their Achilles Heel. Our enemies simply use political jujitsu on liberal American politicians and “statesmen” and they “roll” our guys every time.

To tell you the truth, folks, it is downright embarrassing!

President Teddy Roosevelt set the gold standard for dealing with that part of the world back in 1904. When Mulai Ahmed er Raisuli, the commander of a band of Berber insurrectionists, kidnapped a middle-aged American man and his stepson, who, by the way, were not harmed, Teddy issued a statement and sent a copy of it to Raisuli which said: "Perdicaris alive or Raisuli dead!" – and sent an invading force of US Marines to back it up. The hostages were released unharmed. Even then the “diplomats”, the “statesmen” were advising Teddy not to do that. They, as today, wanted to talk to Raisuli.

Today we have two wars raging in the Middle East and a third country, Iran, doing everything they can to bait the US and Israel into war.

Now, here’s the thing: IRAN REALLY DOES WANT WAR! They long for the return of the Third Immam. But their belief insists upon great devestation in the world before the Third Immam will return. Their national leadership is dedicated to this and they will continue their drive to create a nuclear bomb some are already calling the “Islam Bomb.” They are rapidly developing missiles capable of striking Israel, some of the eastern European countries and, of course, US military bases in the region. The minute they have the bomb, have it strapped to one of those missiles, they WILL fire it at Israel. There is absolutely no question about that. If thay have more than one, the second will be targeted at US military bases around Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Saudis are scared witless of the Iranians. US politicians believe we need the Saudi oil so we have, whether we admit it publicly, or not, agreed to help protect Saudi Araba from an attack by Iran.

The US is INSISTING upon talking with Iran. The ego of our “Dear Leader” is of such imensity that he appears to actually believe that no one can resist his oratorical charm and once he vibrates his Golden Tonsils in the direction of the Iranians they will immediately fall into line and no war will ensue. There is only one thing wrong with that. And that is -- it won’t work. The President will only come off lookimg foolish, amatuerish, and as weak as he actually is.

In the meantime, while the diplomats jaw-jaw, the Iranians will be building up their strength and, unfortunately, getting that Islam Bomb ready to drop in on Israel. As a result of all the foot dragging on the part of the Obama Regime, when the killing begins lots and lots more Israelis will be killed than was necessary, and an infuriated Israel will, very likely, nuke the living daylights out of Iran from one end of the country to the other. The blame for the deaths of those Israelis will rightfully be laid at the door to the Obama Oval Office.

A single warning to the Iranian governemt sould be sufficient. At the same time (as Teddy Roosevelt did) send every available warship in the US Navy’s fleet(s) to stand off shore of Iran, lob a few cruise missiles into Iran -- to get their attention -- and assure them we DO mean business.

Yes, the US State Department would probably have apoplexy and a few of the “striped pants crowd” would most likely swoon from massive anxiety attacks.

If Iran persists, after the unmistakable warning from the US, then tactical nukes should be used on their nuclear facilities and a few of their government buildings including their command and control centers.

Then go silent.

Not a word.

Not one word should be spoken to Iran.

Of course, there will be caterwauling from the limp-wrists at the UN and certain European countries. They should be brushed off without a single word from the US in reply.

If Iran persists after the warning… then send in the stealth bombers and wreak havoc in their Persian Paradise and repeat as often as necessary. When Iran finally pleads for talks, ignore them. No reply should be our reply. One of the most effective ways to “contain an enemy” is to keep him “hunkered down” in bunkers.

Now I’m not foolish enough to believe the Obama Regime will do any of this. No, they are committed to making fools of themselves and embarrassing the rest of us… and in the end, as we said above, a lot more lives wil be lost in Israel AND in Iran. A President afflcted with an uncontrolable ego and suffering from narsicissim and a good dose of grandiosity can be a real danger to peace. And, like a bull in a china shop, he can do a lot of damage.

J. D. Longstreet.

The Greatest Generation Should be Ashamed of Us Today

The Greatest Generation Should be Ashamed of Us Today

America No Longer Has the WILL to WIN!

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

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As I considered President Obama’s words concerning the war in Afghanistan a few days ago, I found myself embarrassed by them. To realize Obama had no intention of ‘winning” a war in Afghanistan, and that the word victory was never used in his entire speech, it became clear to me that Obama was only concerned with “ending” the war in Afghanistan -- not winning it.

Now, let’s be clear about something. The United States could/can win a war in Afghanistan. The United States could/can win a war anywhere it chose/chooses.

Just nuke ‘em.

No, I am NOT KIDDING. Had we nuked the Tora Bora region of Afghanistan when we were sure Osama bin Laudin was hiding there, we would have been finished with the never ending search for him and we would have sent a powerful message to our enemies -- everywhere -- to attack the US is to bring unimaginable death and destruction down on the attackers and their loved ones. The price is not worth it.

The Commander-in-Chief could have ordered it done -- and -- in my opinion, SHOULD have ordered it done. We had the means and the wherewithal to do it. What we did not have was THE WILL!

Today as I think back to 1941 and the sneak attack by the Japanese on the US Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, I thank God that we had men of fortitude in charge of this country. Men of courage stepped forward and offered themselves, their futures, and their very lives to win a total victory over the Japanese and, as it turned out, the Germans, as well.

Today, as the few survivors of that great conflict watch America circle the drain, how sad they must be. They must be deeply depressed to watch the wishy-washy, limp-wristed, leadership of this nation apologize for being the world’s only superpower. To watch a President of the United States actually BOW to a Japanese leader must make them physically sick to their stomachs. To watch the American leader acting more as a naive boy, than a man, on the world stage has to be a bitter pill to swallow for the remnant of the Greatest Generation.

I have a similar reaction. Born just before the US was compelled, by events that took place 68 years ago today, to join the Second World War, my formative years were molded in that worldwide crucible of death and destruction. Yes, like so many of my generation who were mere children during that conflagration, I readily admit that it left me with scars and with definite ideas about freedom’s cost and the necessary sacrifices a nation MUST be prepared to make to preserve her freedom and liberty.

Firebombing the enemy's cities and killing over a hundred thousand men, women, and children to break the enemy's will to fight, was necessary, -- and they did it! Dropping a nuclear bomb on an enemy city to force them to surrender was necessary, and so -- they did it! Dropping a second nuclear bomb on a second enemy city, to drive home the point that we were relentless and had the will to kill as many of the Japanese and/or the Germans as was necessary to compel them to the surrender table was necessary, -- and they did it.

Horrendous? Yes! Necessary? ABSOLUTELY! Did it take courage? YES! More than you or I will ever know-- if we are lucky. But with current events as they are, with Islamofacists seeking the death of every American man, woman, and child, WE, YOU and I, MUST be prepared to take whatever necessary steps are called for to insure they fail. If that requires the use of nuclear weapons to completely wipe out a terrorist nest in the caves and mountains of the Middle East, then WE, YOU and I, MUST BE PREPARED TO USE THEM! I submit to you that the current leadership of the United States is NOT PREPARED to take the steps that may be necessary to insure the continuation of the freedom and the liberty those wonderful men and women of The Greatest Generation offered everything they were -- and everything they ever hoped to be -- to preserve for us.

My personal journey to becoming a conservative began at Pearl Harbor. My philosophy on politics had its birth on the morning of December 7th, 1941.

It was a beautiful Sunday morning in Paradise when ......... ......... .........

Around 8 AM, 68 years ago today, the Japanese swooped in, out of a brilliant blue sky over Hawaii, and bombed the port of Pearl Harbor to smithereens. Much of the muscle of our Navy was destroyed. Two thousand and four hundred US servicemen were killed.I was seven months old.In the next four years, as my consciousness grew, I became aware of all the activity around me. I saw soldiers in uniform. I saw my grandmother crying when the telegram came that her baby boy had been "Killed in Action" somewhere in Europe.And finally, I remember guns being fired into the air, people running through the streets of our little South Carolina town, hugging and kissing each other. I remember folks saying: “It’s over!” And it was. But it left an indelible mark on my family and an equally deep mark on me.

Those first 4 years of my life, the formative years, were experienced under intense stress. I learned the cost of war right from the beginning stages of my life. I lost one uncle, in Belgium (the Ancestral homeland) another was machine gunned through both thighs and lay in a freezing stream in France, all night, until American troops found him the next morning. The icy water of that frozen stream saved his life. He suffered ”shell-shock” (referred to as "Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome" today) the remainder of his life. A summertime thunderstorm became an instant German artillery barrage. He would race for cover. The flashbacks were ever with him.

Others of my family were in the Pacific fighting the Japanese. They, too, came home with stories of Japanese Kamikaze planes hitting their ships and, in one case, finding a woman… yes, I said a woman, pilot in one of them! She was alive. For whatever reason, the plane with the bomb attached, did not explode.

When we could get those veterans to talk, which was not often, I was spellbound by the stories of their experience. I soaked it up like a sponge.

You see, I learned, both from personal experience, and the second hand experience of my family members, who were in the hell of the Second World War, what war really is. And, I learned that you have no choice when the enemy brings the war to your doorstep, you must fight back, and you must prevail, no matter the cost.

Today, we find ourselves in another war, which was brought to our doorstep. In doing so, the enemy killed many more people with their sneak attack than the Japanese did with their sneak attack on Pearl Harbor.

I don’t suffer fools lightly. My generation shares that quality. Today we have people in our government who are advocating a policy of retreat for the United States in our war against terrorist in the Middle East. It does not seem to matter to those folks, that an enemy which has brought war to our shores, will not quit, and go home, just because we do. They will follow us back to our own country and continue to wage war against us here... in our land.

It makes no difference how many medals hang from a man’s uniform or suit jacket. For all the times he was right, represented by those medals, there are times when he is wrong.

Had the United States listened to the “doves” after Pearl Harbor, I would most likely be writing this missive in German rather than English. It was that serious then, and it is that serious now.

So, as we think, today, of the men and women who gave everything they had, including their lives, to insure that you and I would have a free country, let us think of the men and women serving today for the same reason.

On December 7th, 1941 the Japanese, and the Germans, wanted nothing less than the conquest of the world. Today the Islamofacists want the same thing.

You have to ask yourself… as an American… are you going to stand down, ground your weapon, and allow this evil from the deepest, darkest, depths of hell, to take your country? That is the question all Americans must ask themselves. For, understand, they will not stop with America. Once America is out of the way, the remainder of the world will fall to them as easily as dominoes.
The Men and Women (Caps Intentional) of 1941 had to ask themselves the same question. We had better thank Almighty God they answered in the affirmative.

Today, we honor them for it. But they will tell you, those who survive to this day, that there was no real question about what the people of America would do. It was simply understood that freedom was far to precious to allow the forces of evil to take it from us. And so they marched forth to stop it and preserve this country for you and me. And they did!

We can never thank them enough. Not only did they save America, they saved the world!

Are we, as Americans, prepared to give up our freedom today after that generation gave so much of their blood to preserve it for us?

I pray to God that America will finally awaken to the danger that threatens us and take the painful steps, whatever they might be, to preserve this country, and again, the world.

J. D. Longstreet

The War on Christmas and Christianity Continues in 2009!

The War on Christmas and Christianity Continues in 200

A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

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OK, let me make it as clear as I am able right up front! I am not interested in “multiculturalism” and I am even less interested in “inclusivity.” I am an Isolationist at heart, but a realist… out of practicality.

Having cleared the air, I can get on with these few comments.

It is time for America to celebrate Christmas. For those of the Christian community it is a grand time of celebrating the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ, from whose name the word Christmas, or “Christ Mass,” is derived. I am of this community.

I care nothing for the celebration of anything else. I care that you have the right to celebrate Hanukkah, or that newly invented secular holiday for Afro-centric African Americans, Kwanzaa. You are guaranteed that right by the Constitution, which was, itself, guaranteed by Christians.

I know, I know! I can see the “comments box” filling up even as I write this. That’s OK. Just keep it clean.

In the year 2009 one would have to be a disconnected, isolated, idiot to believe that Christmas is not under attack in the western world, especially in the United States.

If you are a regular reader of my scribbling then you already know that I believe that Christians founded America as a Christian country. As a Christian country we are tolerant of other religions. That does not mean that individual American citizens must approve of any particular religion or practice thereof. In a Christian country a citizen is not compelled to be a Christian or a subscriber to any religion, for that matter. That right was guaranteed all Americans in that aforementioned Constitution. And that, Dear Reader, in my humble opinion, is where we mis-stepped. That “right” we celebrate, and hold so dear, has come back to bite us on our collective “Christian butts.”

Any antagonist, worth his salt, uses his opponent’s weakness against him. The opponents of Christianity, no slackers they, have learned to use our weakness of tolerance for other religions, or no religion, against the Christians of America, indeed, in much of the world.

Christian symbols are being relegated to the closets, and basements, of public buildings not to be displayed on the walls of, or grounds of, such public buildings such as, for instance, courthouses.

Put up a Crèche scene, in honor of Christmas, in the town square, and you’d better have a Menorah, a Christmas tree, A Santa Claus, a Kwanzaa something or other, and on and on. The idea is simply to dilute Christmas in a mass of other religious, and secular, celebrations and lessen its influence on the average American. The more timid among us are even afraid to utter that time honored “Merry Christmas.”

No more Christmas break for our public schools. It’s now the “Winter Break” a phrase reminiscent of the pagans of Western Europe. Gone is the Christmas tree in many of those same schools.

Now, I could go on, and on, citing example after example of the battles being waged all across America against Christmas and, collectively, Christians.

Currently, we are in a worldwide war with Islam. Oh, you may argue, we are at war with only the fundamentalist Islamic! I beg to differ. Again, in my opinion -- this is a war between Islam and Christianity. The Muslims know this. Only those of us of the Western Christian countries have deluded ourselves into believing we are in a war with some splinter group of Islam. Hopefully, we will awaken to this fact before it is to late to recover from our mistake and take the battle, for our very existence, to the enemies of Christianity.

Meanwhile, in America, we have our hands full dealing with our own internal enemies. “The War on Christmas” is just a symptom of the greater war on Christianity. Until we recognize that fact, and begin to fight back, we will continue to lose our Christian symbols, our Christian holidays, and eventually our practice of the Christian faith.

I was thinking, as I wrote these words, that there must have been some squinty-eyed old scribe hidden away in a semi-darkened “scriptorium”, somewhere beneath the streets of ancient Rome, scratching out similar words as these while Christians were being gored, and mauled, and torn limb from limb, in the amphitheatres such as The Coliseum above his lowly hovel.

Somehow, every attack against Christians has served to strengthen The Christian Church and insure her survival. One doesn’t have to be a believer to acknowledge the work of a Supreme Being in the dissemination of what we Christians call “The Good News” or “The Gospel.” And yet, down through the ages, many Christians, liked this scribe, feel driven to denounce, in our writings, the evil forces at work against the Christian church.

As one who has studied the scriptures, I know the church will be whittled down until there will be only a remnant of the followers of Christ left upon his return. We witness the “whittling down” process everyday in reports of attacks upon the Christian faith in the news media of the world. And yet – I feel a force, deep within me, urging me to proclaim to all who read these words that no matter the size of the remaining remnant, the Christian Church WILL survive. No matter the odds, the ultimate force for good in this world will continue to feed the hungry, heal the sick, lift up the fallen, and spread the good news of the birth of a savior in a little Middle Eastern town called Bethlehem, some 2,000 years ago. Since that remarkable night, men and women have been unceasingly spreading the news of His arrival and the message He brought of “Peace, Good Will Toward Men.”

Men and women of the Christian faith, in the modern world, may again be relegated to “the catacombs” to practice their Christian faith. But just as their ancient counterparts, they WILL keep the faith. In the face of all odds they will not falter and they will not fail.

And so, from my own little scriptorium, as I write in the wee hours of the morning, please allow me to be among the first to wish you, and your family, a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

J. D. Longstreet

Afghanistan: Obama’s War!

Afghanistan: Obama’s War!
A Commentary by J. D. Longstreet

As much as I dislike doing this, I am going to offer President Obama some sound advice, which I fully expect him to totally ignore. That advice is: “Get the hell out of Afghanistan!”

Just recently I published a piece, on my own blog, by my friend, Alan Caruba, calling for the same thing. Getting US troops out of Afghanistan is just another thing Alan and I agree on.

Maybe it is a generational thing. Both Alan and myself were in the military during the Vietnam War and both of us experienced what the wrong war in the wrong place can do to a military and to a country and we don’t want to see our country go through that again.

Having said all of the above, I fully expect President Obama to maintain US troops in Afghanistan and stand-by as they are chewed-up by twos and threes until, we have a death toll of Americans rivaling that of the Vietnam debacle.

Here’s the thing. We cannot win in Afghanistan.

I am a realist. I look at the facts and choose my position on a subject based upon those facts. I do not interject optimism into my decision-making in so far as taking a position or forming an opinion. When one does that and applies that process to the war effort in Afghanistan one can come up with only one inescapable truth -- and that is, we cannot win in Afghanistan.

This is not defeatism. Understand that. Of COURSE, the American military could, fairly easily, wipe that country off the map in short order. But, what would we have gained? As far as I can see, nothing of value to the US would be gained. Occupation of the country would, it seems to me, be nothing short of another decades long shooting war with our military bases becoming “Fort Apaches” in enemy territory. None of this takes into consideration the cost in dollars to the American economy.

The question, then, for our current President and Commander - in - Chief, is: why continue to feed our young men into a sausage grinder, such as Afghanistan, knowing full well that at some point, down the road from now, the Commander- in- Chief, in 2013, or beyond, will be ordering their withdrawal from that hell-hole? Saving face for Mr. Obama, or any President, is certainly not enough reason to spill the precious blood of American soldiers.

Afghanistan is not really a country. Not REALLY. Frankly, I’m not sure WHAT it is, but a country - it ain’t. It is sort of a no-man’s land with a conglomeration of tribes and/or clans usually at each other’s throat over some sort of “slight.” Their major industry is dope. Yep! “DOPE.” They grow beautiful fields of opium poppies -- and they sell it on the world market -- both the legal market and the black market. Get between them and their dope money and you are asking for serious trouble.

Afghanistan’s next-door neighbor, Pakistan, is where the serious threat to America lies. Pakistan already has nuclear weapons. Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons Program was established as far back as1974. Earlier this year, some American officials expressed concern that Pakistan is enlarging its nuclear weapons facilities. They fear that Pakistan is moving to increase its stockpile of fissile material. That would allow them to develop more destructive atomic weapons. Some experts are concerned that Pakistan may be in the early stages of creating thermonuclear weapons. Thermonuclear weapons are far more destructive and could be more easily developed to fit inside warheads.

As much as I hate the thought, it is entirely possible, and highly probable, that we will awaken one morning, in the not too distant future, to the news that Pakistan has been overrun by some terrorist organization, and those terrorists are in possession of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. In fact, this is the ONLY reason, I can conceive of, for American troops to remain in Afghanistan. At least, America would have forward deployed troops -- just in case this very scenario became a reality.

If Obama is determined to keep America’s military engaged in Afghanistan, then he needs to huddle with the Pentagon and actually listen to the “fighting generals” and follow their advice. America has had more than enough of bureaucrats in Washington directing US troops in battle with an enemy. Mr. Obama should immediately drop any thought of “winning the hearts and minds” of the Afghans. It isn’t going to happen. Forget “nation building, too.

I am aware that I will earn the title of “Armchair General” by making this observation, but here goes, anyway. It seems to me that America has only two real choices in Afghanistan. Get out – or -- “fort-up” as near the Pakistan border as we can and with the use of electronic eavesdropping (otherwise known as “spying”) and “humint” or “human intelligence” gathering sources (That simply means spies on the ground in Pakistan) stay as well informed as is humanly possible so that threats to Pakistan’s’ nuclear weapons and their development program can be thwarted as quickly and efficiently as possible. Even that won’t be one hundred percent effective, but, at least, our efforts in Afghanistan will not be a total waste, as they certainly appear to be today.

Hard choices? You bet they are. But that is the reason the President gets the “big bucks,” the nice house, the nice cars, and even a primo aircraft to fly about the globe. And, we would go so far as to suggest that Mr. Obama kiss and make up with Israel, our only REAL friend in the Middle East. He may not like it, but, from the looks of the diplomatic struggles with Israel these days, there remains the very real chance we will need to use Israel’s military facilities in the event the war in that region becomes even hotter and even wider.

So now it is “Obama’s War.” It will make his administration -- or -- break his administration. If Mr. Obama has any doubts about that, at all, we suggest he pluck a few history books from the White House library and look up the Jimmy Carter Administration. Many of the problems America is trying to deal with today, in the Middle East, were inherited directly from the hapless Carter Administration. It will be a very long time, indeed, before the American electorate entrusts the lives of their young military assets to the likes of the Carter Administration ever again. Unfortunately for the America people, Mr. Obama exhibits a host of the Carter foibles and will cost the US, over time, an abundance of time, money, and American blood.

This is, admittedly, not an easy problem to deal with. But deal with it Obama must. We Americans and, indeed, the remainder of the world, both friend and foe alike, will have their eyes upon Obama observing, trying his metal, and looking for that single weakness Obama may display. They will be searching for a weakness they can exploit to bring even more death and destruction to America’s shores. We can only pray that Divine Providence will look mercifully upon America and extend his arm of protection around the US as He has so lovingly done in the past.

J. D. Longstreet

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Conservative+Liberal+Progressive+Afghanistan+War+Obama+Pakistan