09-10-2004, 07:48 AM
. . . that when an enemy steals a march on us, through his own cleverness and imagination, our unpreparedness, or a combination of both, so many monday morning quarterbacks search for scapegoats -- see post Pearl Harbor. Why is it that no one can believe that the enemy is not stupid, that the enemy has a brain and a motive, and that the enemy tries to outsmart and outfight us in order to win?
We don't pay for a zero defects government, hell, we can't afford one.
In war, the enemy gets a vote.
You can try to limit his options, but since American policy vis a vis terrorists, from about 1972 onward, did NOT view it as war (part of that time some elements were a lesser included case of the Cold War, see Brigado Rossi) then our strategic posture of not being "at war" while the enemy is, at least psychologically he is, yields to him the initiative and advantages that accrue with the initiative.
Add to that a national policy made in the 1970's to NOT put armed marshalls on airline flights, for example, and you see where the enemy attempts to do what any smart military mind would: exploit his enemies weaknesses, or the chinks in his armor.
This self flagellation is a crock of crap. It disgusts me. The FIGHT AHEAD OF US is what is important.
*spits*
Occhi
We don't pay for a zero defects government, hell, we can't afford one.
In war, the enemy gets a vote.
You can try to limit his options, but since American policy vis a vis terrorists, from about 1972 onward, did NOT view it as war (part of that time some elements were a lesser included case of the Cold War, see Brigado Rossi) then our strategic posture of not being "at war" while the enemy is, at least psychologically he is, yields to him the initiative and advantages that accrue with the initiative.
Add to that a national policy made in the 1970's to NOT put armed marshalls on airline flights, for example, and you see where the enemy attempts to do what any smart military mind would: exploit his enemies weaknesses, or the chinks in his armor.
This self flagellation is a crock of crap. It disgusts me. The FIGHT AHEAD OF US is what is important.
*spits*
Occhi
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete