[Dean's World] Scott Kirwin: A Deep Cold Fear In the Pit of My Stomach

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Posted by Scott Kirwin:
A Deep Cold Fear In the Pit of My Stomach
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1186679346.shtml


   Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,
   Or close the wall up with our English dead!
   In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
   As modest stillness and humility;
   But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
   Then imitate the action of the tiger:
   Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood.
   "Henry V" (5.3.44-51)

   [1]My Stepson, a US Marine, is preparing to deploy this Fall. He knows
   his destination, but he can't tell anyone - even his wife or his
   mother.

   I doubt he's going to the Bahamas.

   [2]Here's my take on his deployment, "Once More Unto the Breach." For
   those of you who think I'm a chicken hawk, rest assured that there's
   plenty of "chicken" in that post. I still support the war effort in
   Iraq, but that doesn't mean that I'm not scared for him - or anyone
   else over there for that matter.

   However, one of the things that scares me more is a President
   promising "consequences" to an Iranian regime that supplies EFPs and
   rockets to kill American soldiers - and doesn't deliver on that
   threat.

   If you want a Vietnam analogy, consider the flow of arms into North
   Vietnam from the USSR through China. How many of those munitions wrote
   the nnames appearing on [3]Maya Ying Lin's wall?

   What were the consequences for the Chinese and Soviets? Nixon's visit
   to Peking in '72 and "detente" with the Sov's. Republican that I am, I
   never bought the rehabilitation of Nixon and still spit when I say his
   name. Deep inside this crusty conservative there's a bleeding heart
   liberal cursed with a long memory.

   Since Iranian munitions [4]account for a third of coalition casualties
   in Iraq, will the "consequences" be the same for them as it was the
   Chinese and Soviets?

   [3_62_080807_iraq_missiles2.jpg]
   Iranian Missiles - note the "uniforms" worn by those firing them.

   It's one thing to send men like my stepson into battle; it's another
   to expose him to danger because our leader lacks the will to take the
   fight to his enemy.

   That's what scares me more than anything.

References

   1. http://www.therazor.org/?p=826
   2. http://www.therazor.org/?p=854
   3. http://thewall-usa.com/
   4. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,292513,00.html