The American Spectator

Reader Mail

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Last night, I was startled to read that, at the end of WWII, the U.S. Army had burned all the Shinto Shrines built by the Japanese in Korea. Now, that was clarity.

If America is to accomplish anything in Iraq, I believe that we must stop pretending that we respect Iraq's primitive culture. We must stop treating mullahs with deference. Mosques should enjoy no special status in combat operations.

We need to let the Iraqis know exactly what we think of their backward culture. Razing the mosques and destroying anyone who objects is a place to start.

It turns my stomach to see the Marines negotiating with the butchers of Americans in Fallujah. In addition to a lack of clarity, President Bush lacks the stomach for the measures required to win this war.

p>Though I will have to vote for Mr. Bush next November, it will be a very unenthusiastic vote. He is weak. br> -- Joe Wood /p>

P.S. No, Bush should have no draft. He has not spent the lives of his volunteers wisely.

I am surprised that as informed a person as Mr. Babbin is he continues to get his numbers and his advice wrong. Currently assigned to Europe are two incomplete Army divisions (each missing 1/3 of their ground combat units). Of that force one division is already in Iraq with the other to follow. It should also be remembered that Mr. Babbin (and many others) disparaged Gen. Eric K. Shinseki and others in the Army for suggesting that the war in Iraq would not be as easy as they predicted and that an occupying force of, "Something on the order of several hundred thousand soldiers are probably, you know, a figure that would be required," General Shinseki told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "We're talking about post-hostilities control over a piece of geography that's fairly significant, with the kinds of ethnic tensions that could lead to other problems." General Shinseki continued, "It takes a significant ground force presence to maintain a safe and secure environment, to ensure that people are fed, that water is disturbed, all the normal responsibilities that go along with administering a situation like this." So now with our forces overextended, our political will stressed, Mr. Babbin advocates what? Invade who, with what forces, and this will reduce the fighting where?

We do not need "a much more aggressive approach against the Iraqi insurgents" nor do we need to invade Iran or Syria. We do need to continue the irresistible course of disciplined action that we have been following. Our opponents would love to see us appear to use overwhelming force irresponsibly but we must not stumble into that trap. The Marines and Soldiers bearing the brunt of the current fighting are up to the task. They will be reinforced and they will succeed in restoring order.

p>We also need a realistic assessment of our long term force requirements. Our commitment in Iraq will last at least 10 years. During that time other challenges will arise and we will need the force to deal with them. The military in general and the US Army particularly, need to be enlarged to meet this obvious future. How much, what organization (light vs. heavy, war fighters vs. peace keepers) are all issues that should be discussed, but right now we need to start building. I remind all concerned that it takes longer to create a combat ready division than it does to build an aircraft carrier. Some may have thought prior to this that there was a no risk, low cost, magic way of waging war. They were wrong. War means overwhelming force and sometimes (most times) that means a soldier with a bayonet going door to door. Right now the real fix to the problem Mr. Babbin describes is to grow the force. It will not be quick and it will not be easy but it is the correct solution. br> -- Hil Evers

topics:
Bill Clinton, Islam, Environment, Constitution, Military, Iraq, Iran, Israel