Citizen Sparta

27 June 2010

Persistent Conflict

Andrew J. Bacevich, West point graduate, retired Colonel, currently professor of international relations at Boston University has an opinion piece at the Washington Post today entitled "Endless War, a recipe for Fours star arrogance."

It's a good article repudiating the "persistent" or endless war mentality. His closing paragraph sums it up.

"The responsibility facing the American people is clear. They need to reclaim ownership of their army. They need to give their soldiers respite, by insisting that Washington abandon its de facto policy of perpetual war. Or, alternatively, the United States should become a nation truly "at" war, with all that implies in terms of civic obligation, fiscal policies and domestic priorities. Should the people choose neither course -- and thereby subject their troops to continuing abuse -- the damage to the army and to American democracy will be severe."

I could not agree more. Look around you, are we a country at war? I don't think so. Our military is at war but nobody else is.

Labels: Common Sense, GWOT, Leadership