War Sucks

News Flash!

I’m tired of election babble and talking heads! –isn’t everyone?

Any opinions I express are mine and mine alone…not Uncle Sam’s.  Uncle Sam doesn’t care what I think.  He’s hiding these days.

I read in several news outlets that Senior Military Commander, Admiral Michael Mullen, warned that if Israel initiated a military confrontation with Iran, it would open up a third front to US Military activities. THAT is scary.  I don’t want to think about how that might affect health care; military or civilian.

Back in April I had the privilege of listening to Admiral Mullen speak to our small group of noncommissioned officers during a breakfast at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, just south of Washington, DC. He appeared to be a smart, level-headed man who is a “leader” rather than a “yes man” to the status quo or current social or political ramblings.  Thank God we’ve got someone like him steering the boat –or, more accurately, ship.  Perhaps he could be just the person to keep us out of another quagmire.

One thing about the good Admiral I immensely admire: Only him a question if you REALLY want to know the answer.  I didn’t have any questions during the breakfast, but plenty poured in from my colleagues.  Admiral Mullen’s answers were direct and complete.  It was as though he was the quintessential Command Sergeant Major who switched services and was given a commission.

The sort of comfortable “air” he exuded during the breakfast speech and other engagements, is the “air” that should come from our presidential candidates. I’m so tired of political accusations and responses that were made for 30-second sound bites as opposed to the realities of tasks at hand…like our involvement in military conflicts. 

I think it would benefit my fellow American citizens if one of the candidates could do something along the line of Nixon’s fireside chats and explain to folks that we can’t just pull up our tent stakes and get out of Iraq…although personally, I wish we could. It sickens me to continually witness the seen and unseen injuries and damage from war activities. I wish it were possible to just “un-invent” war.

However, the reality is, in this war, we are in the middle of the craziness and we need to turn the tide of insanity into a workable solution that not only shores up our own defense but is able to build an even keel of peace in the region.  The new president doesn’t have to be smart, good looking or have an athletic build.  He needs to have smart people at alongside.  The chosen smart people need to analyze, advise and accurately communicate knowledge, not political preferences.

After gathering the facts and recommendations, the president has to listen and lead the Congress into solid policy decisions.  After the decisions are made, our leader and commander in chief needs to be able to accurately communicate clearly to American citizens and the world.

Now that I’m off my rant, I need to say, “Happy Fourth of July!” Now go forth and have some red wine, white cheddar cheese and fresh blueberries.