|
Surrender
Should Not Be an Option
By Congressman Ron Paul
09/05/07 - --- -Faced with dwindling support of the Iraq
War, the warhawks are redoubling their efforts. They imply
we are in Iraq attacking those who attacked us, and yet this
is not the case. As we know, Saddam Hussein, though not a
particularly savory character, had nothing to do with 9/11.
The neo-cons claim surrender should not be an option. In the
same breath they claim we were attacked because of our
freedoms. Why then, are they so anxious to surrender our
freedoms with legislation like the Patriot Act, a repeal of
our 4th amendment rights, executive orders, and presidential
signing statements? With politicians like these, who needs
terrorists? Do they think if we destroy our freedoms for the
terrorists they will no longer have a reason to attack us?
This seems the epitome of cowardice coming from those who
claim a monopoly on patriotic courage.
In any case, we have achieved the goals specified in the
initial authorization. Saddam Hussein has been removed. An
elected government is now in place in Iraq that meets with
US approval. The only weapon of mass destruction in Iraq is
our military presence. Why are we still over there?
Conventional wisdom would dictate that when the "mission is
accomplished", the victor goes home, and that is not
considered a retreat.
They claim progress is being made and we are fighting a
winnable war, but this is not a view connected with reality.
We can't be sure when we kill someone over there if they
were truly an insurgent or an innocent Iraqi civilian. There
are as many as 650,000 deaths since the war began. The anger
we incite by killing innocents creates more new insurgents
than our bullets can keep up with. There are no measurable
goals to be achieved at this point.
The best congressional leadership can come up with is the
concept of strategic redeployment, or moving our troops
around, possibly into Saudi Arabia or even, alarmingly
enough, into Iran. Rather than ending this war, we could be
starting another one.
The American people voted for a humble foreign policy in
2000. They voted for an end to the war in 2006. Instead of
recognizing the wisdom and desire of the voters, they are
chided as cowards, unwilling to defend themselves. Americans
are fiercely willing to defend themselves. However, we have
no stomach for indiscriminate bombing in foreign lands when
our actual attackers either killed themselves on 9/11 or are
still at large somewhere in a country that is neither Iraq
nor Iran. Defense of our homeland is one thing. Offensive
tactics overseas are quite another. Worse yet, when our
newly minted enemies find their way over here, where will
our troops be to defend us?
The American people have NOT gotten the government they
deserve. They asked for a stronger America and peace through
nonintervention, yet we have a government of deceit,
inaction and one that puts us in grave danger on the
international front. The American People deserve much better
than this. They deserve foreign and domestic policy that
doesn't require they surrender their liberties.
http://www.house.gov/paul/
Click
on "comments" below to
read or post comments
Comment
Guidelines
Be succinct, constructive and
relevant to the story.
We
encourage engaging, diverse and
meaningful commentary. Do not
include personal information such
as names, addresses, phone
numbers and emails. Comments
falling outside our guidelines
– those including personal
attacks and profanity – are
not permitted.
See our complete
Comment
Policy and
use
this link to notify us if you
have concerns about a comment.
We’ll promptly review and
remove any inappropriate
postings.
Send Page To a Friend
In accordance
with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material
is distributed without profit to those who have
expressed a prior interest in receiving the
included information for research and educational
purposes. Information Clearing House has no
affiliation whatsoever with the originator of
this article nor is Information ClearingHouse
endorsed or sponsored by the originator.)
|
