I heard my general, George Patton, say America would win “by making some other dumb bastard die for his country” – and so did my mom, who was thrilled to, of course, read about it. I heard him say of Germans “we’re going to cut out their living guts and use them to grease the treads of our tanks” – and so did everyday Germans. Boy, as 3rd Army rolled into German towns, were we glad to see the white flags waving. General Patton commanded us to do what’s necessary – not our best – and that’s how we beat the Nazis.
Morten The Medic
My late father, a WWII Bronze Star winner, came to mind this week, as I witnessed yet another president cover his rear about mishandling US military; this time on a simple withdrawal from a single military base, which was made before he got endangered Americans and allies out of theater. The second world war is how real commanders in chief send their fellow citizens to war, which is why my dad disapproved of Vietnam and the War on Terror.
President Biden explained his reasons for leaving Afghanistan on Monday and Friday in self-serving political moments that are easily un-packed. He supported Bush’s original mission AND opposed Obama’s subsequent troop build-up. He “owned” the decision to leave AND blamed Trump for the situation. He followed “expert” advice AND was surprised by the Taliban’s Blitzkrieg. It sounded like he was talking his way out of a speeding ticket.
In fairness, maybe Biden is onto an industrial-military complex that puts profits before patriotism. Eisenhower warned of soaring defense procurements, which have grown from $12 billion in 1960 to $36 billion under Jimmy Carter (1980), $64 billion under Bill Clinton (2000), and $147 billion under Donald Trump. Why trust buyers (US Navy) and sellers (Gould Simulation Systems) that transact $435 hammers – and ex-soldiers for hire?
It became clear why we were there: it provided lucrative opportunities for the defense industry and a relatively safe means of career advancement for senior U.S. officials and military officers.
Afghan veteran Jacob Siegel in Tablet
In fairness, Biden might believe America is like no other nation in the world; advanced civilization that can’t be replicated in Cuba, Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan. He knows the Bay of Pigs invasion did not inspire Cubans to reject a communist dictator, escalating a war did not win Vietnamese hearts and minds, and killing three Husseins did not unite Iraq. Why sell equality, freedom and prosperity to cultures that don’t understand or want it, right?
In fairness, maybe Biden realizes presidents should stick to reactive military responses to existential threats, such as the Axis Powers. Pearl Harbor and the 9-11 attacks were both days of infamy, but Imperial Japan was an industrial power that invaded and occupied great nations. Al Qaeda had used weapons and occupied caves in rogue nations. Maybe Biden, a 36-year senator, thinks Congress alone can enter America into a 20-year war.
In reality, President Biden deserves condemnation, especially from Americans stuck in Afghanistan. This president did order America’s military evacuated before its citizens, closing the defensible Bagram Airfield in July – without telling the base’s new Afghan commander (source: AP). On Saturday, US citizens heard from their embassy that their “government cannot ensure safe passage to the Hamid Karzai International Airport.” Oh, the Pentagon opposed Biden’s plan.
The US embassy has flip-flopped on Karzai Airport since the Taliban took Kabul last Sunday; shelter in place on Tuesday, go to the airport on Wednesday, and shelter in place Saturday. The BBC now reports chaos at the airport. On Friday, Mr. Biden talked the talk, promising stranded Americans, “we will get you home,” while British and French leaders walked the walk, sending troops into Kabul – and away from the airport – to rescue their citizens (source: Daily Mail).
In reality, the President’s blunder has reminded his media allies they are supposed to scrutinize the governors on behalf of the governed. Said CNN’s Jake Tapper, “it’s shocking that President Biden could have been so wrong.” Joe Scarborough said on MSNBC, “The president can say that he planned for every contingency, but he knows that’s not true, and the American people know that’s not true.” Welcome to the party, boys!
Biden’s words confirm the serial liar suspected (and rejected) by 74 million Trump voters. Biden told G-7 leaders, “America’s back,” in June. And, in July he said, “the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely [because] I trust the capacity of the Afghan military.” Now, he says, “the Afghan military gave up, sometimes without trying to fight.” The press may be biased, but it’s not batsh*t crazy!
In reality, former UN ambassador Nikki Haley’s op-ed exposed the elephant in the room (pun intended): “America’s interests around the world are badly diminished.” Friday, the President claimed NATO allies agreed with his decision to withdraw, while they were publicly dissing him. Cries of “hear, hear” rang out in Parliament when MP Tom Tugendhat derided Biden as a turncoat who’d “never fought for the colors they fly.” Friends don’t leave friends in danger.
“Tragic, dangerous, unnecessary, not in our interest, obedience to an imbecilic political slogan about ending ‘the forever war’ (Biden’s words),” said former British PM Tony Blair. Biden’s unilateral move forced the UK to also leave. PM Boris Johnson’s repeated calls were ignored for 36 hours. There’s no “agreement” in NATO’s words: “biggest debacle NATO has suffered since its founding…whatever happened to America is back…the West will pay the consequences” (source: Fortune).
Democrat leaders in Congress emerged from their dens, saw Biden’s bumbling shadow, and promised three more years of self-serving partisanship. Nancy Pelosi applauded Biden’s “decisive” action, and Chuck Schumer said, “I’m not going to get into pointing fingers.” They’re hoping Biden’s overall approval (now below 50%) is akin to JFK’s short dip after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, to be forgotten by the mid-terms. Perhaps, but voters might add it to Biden’s other “competence” failures.
Reuters reported Biden’s overall approval fell 7 points to 46% Monday. Trafalgar explains this drop to 69.3% disapproval of Biden’s handling of the military, including disapproval of 48.2% of Democrats. Since Biden entered office, his approval has evaporated on “his” issues: handling of COVID (-16%) and managing the economy (-5%). Bad enough, especially when added to “his” problems: 76% see a “crisis” on the border and 59% think crime is rising.
Biden is a 9-11 video clip away from turning into Jimmy Carter, allowing tin-pot barbarians to humiliate America and saying dumb stuff. On top of the Iran hostage crisis, Carter quoted daughter Amy: “nuclear proliferation is America’s greatest threat.” On top of Taliban control of American lives, Biden thinks al Qaeda is “gone” from Afghanistan (since corrected by the Pentagon: “hundreds” of al Qaeda are still there). Incompetence is a hard sell to voters.
Biden wants voters to believe the madness was starting the war on terror, because 58% tired of it after 20 years. But a super-majority (69.3%) believe madness is sending US soldiers home before US citizens, not coordinating with NATO allies, making contradictory statements, and then proclaiming one’s brilliance. President Biden now needs everything to break his way – – and that defines military madness (believing in dumb luck).