Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Sitting Duck
Yes, I know it's a sitting duck, and as much as I hate easy targets, I just can't resist. A couple of days ago it was
"I don't think you can win it," Bush told NBC in the pre-taped interview, although he added, "I think you can create conditions so that the -- those who use terror as a tool are less acceptable in parts of the world."and now it's
"We meet today at a time of war for our country; a war we did not start, yet one that we will win," Bush told the veterans' organization.
As far as wars go, this one sure has some interesting dialogue as a basis to go along with all the dead bodies. It seems like just a few hundred US corpses ago, it was "Mission Accomplished" - sorta. Then it was "weapons of mass destruction" then "possible programs of weapons of mass destruction" - sorta. Then I seem to recall those clear cut connections to the 9/11 terrorists - sorta.
Now, there's thousands of folks who are being involuntarily extended or called back into the military (US Army anyway) for a war that we may or may not be able to win. Does that mean that they'll never get out? Sure they signed on the dotted line for all that extra time, but what was the chance of being stuck forever actually happening?
How would you have liked to have spent your four years on active duty and then gone home and restarted your life and after three years as a civilian (yes - I know - not really, but...) after three years as an acting civilian, be called back for an indefinite time, to serve in a war that probably won't be won - {ever???}.
It's make me glad I retired in 1995, but also fearful that I retire in 1995. I'm still in the retired reserves. Does that mean, these fat, bald bones may get a call tomorrow to report for some indefinite length of time to fight in some semi-declared war, that may be about WMD and terrorist connections, or not, and that probably won't ever be won? Talk about a long haul.
2fers: US Army and US Air Force
