The American Spectator

p> TRIAL RUNS br> Re: Jed Babbin’s Endgame Conservatives, Chapter Two : /p>

Mr. Babbin is correct with regard to the neo-Wilsonian mindset of the present administration. Historically, the practice of limited response to the type of warfare that has been the norm for the last thirty-five years has always brought the practitioner to the point at which we are now. Being an optimist, I had hoped that the actions of the Bush administration would have done more to stifle terrorist warfare by intimidating the sponsor states. Being a student of history, I was afraid that it wouldn’t.

What has to be remembered is that it had to be tried. Not being clairvoyant, we can never know exactly what the future holds or how people (and nations) will react or respond. Well, we tried. The states that we were trying to impress continue with their anti-social activities. They continue to threaten the rest of the world and have embarked upon a course of action that directly threatens this nation. Now is the time to realistically assess the threats and to respond accordingly. Unfortunately, it is time for the U.S. to put on its game face and mobilize for an extended war in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Hamas is a governing body of a territory and Hezbollah is part of the Lebanese government and acts as a controlling body of a territory. By attacking Israeli territory and citizens, they are engaged in acts of war under international law. By supporting them with men and materiel, Syria and Iran have allied themselves with a faction of warring nations and have become de facto participants in this war and enemies of Israel. Under treaty provisions with Israel, the U.S. is bound to support and assist Israel. This means that sooner or later, we will be embroiled in this mess, whether we like it or not. It has become only a matter of time until our fears become a reality.

p>To allow the forces arrayed against Israel, and us, to go unchecked is not an option anymore. Nor would it be prudent to force a return to the status quo of a month ago. The situation is extremely fluid at the moment and even the next few hours are uncertain. Therefore, it would be prudent to be prepared to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that both Israel and the U.S. survive the next few months or years. Unfortunately, this will necessitate the use of military force by the U.S., sooner or later. Hopefully, we will have allies in this fight, but we can not depend upon that. Event will unfold quickly in the near future and we must be prepared to seize the initiative. If we do not, the conflagration in the Middle East will spread across the globe. br> — Michael Tobias br> Ft. Lauderdale, Florida /p>

Mr. Babbin’s premise, I thought, had been part and parcel of the “agreement” of our government with its citizens entered into after Vietnam. Politicians learned (if they can learn anything) that fighting wars with boundaries — Korea and Vietnam — was a doomed to failure enterprise in which the lives of our sons (and now daughters) were wastefully expended. Ronald Reagan followed this rule and George the first followed it as well.