Love Thy Enemy

As a nation, Americans have taken concern for the non-combatant to a level never before seen in warfare.  While it is certainly as high-minded as pacifism, it is equally absurd and destructive to the purposes of the war.  We have resorted to combat because we were attacked by expansionist fanatics, seeking to export their ideology and drive us away from our interests and allies.  Once chosen, the war path must be followed to victory.  Every attempt to ameliorate war's horror simply prolongs the suffering of those caught in its maelstrom.  It is as if we could turn down the minutes of terror caused by an F5 tornado, but we replace it with hours in an F3. For those in the way, it isn't much of a bargain. If we want to bring peace, then let us end the war quickly.  We need to learn to wage war as our grandfathers did - with righteous fury and overwhelming power that propel us to decision - either the enemy bends to our will or he is destroyed.  Or we can return to the Punitive Expeditions of the Nineteenth Century, when powers such as the United States and Great Britain would inflict harsh punishment on those who committed acts against the common peace. We have a right to be left alone by those who would commit mass murder, terrorism, or piracy.

Or we need to stop killing people.

One of the greatest dangers in our less than ferocious prosecution of this war is that we find ourselves placing limits on our own freedom at home, taking extraordinary measures to curb the influence and capability of our enemy.  We are surrendering our freedoms, the very reasons we are fighting rather than pouring hell on the enemy.  Don't misunderstand: anybody who gets in our sights suffers immensely.  But we've lost our bearings, jumping into the nation-building stage before our targeted nations were ready to accept our guidance.  You must wreck the enemy and make his behavior exceedingly painful or remove his means to continue. You have to put him on his back before he will accede to your nation-building.  Trying to nation-build before this level of coercion and control is a recipe for failure and a guarantee of sorrow.  The

Nazis, Japanese Imperialists, and Confederates weren't ready to give up their delusions of mastery until a thorough application of American strength dissuaded them of their ideas.