Old Yeller

I am caught off-guard sometimes by what the constant barrage of media has made me think. At these times I have to go back and somewhat re-trace a more reasonable line of argument on certain things. And going back to basics is useful.

Let as assume that most people can take the reasonable stand that the causes of the war can no longer be an issue. We are there, and it is common fact.

What are we weary of in Iraq?

Is it the budget, and the economic crisis that has ensued? I don't believe it is. The American people have never sacrificed less, or been called upon to sacrifice less, than in this conflict. Many point out that perhaps we should have been called upon more. But if that is the greatest fault of the leaders, I question the necessity of the anti-war vigor. The economy is not seeing its finest days, but neither is it seeing its worst, by any means. Families are not going hungry -- the average American, truth be told, is in fact feeling no direct impact of the war budget.

Are we weary of the cost of life? This is more reasonable, and every American should feel the loss of every life gravely and deeply. But this itself hardly seems to be the real weariness. Each lost life is tragic, but it alone seems to falter as an objection. Again, the American people -- American mothers and families -- have never given less in time of war. That does not diminish their sacrifice, for those who have made it, but I am extremely sceptical of the war opposition members who claim this as their agenda. Their brutish attacks and politicking seem to merit them a title less noble than "peace activists." Perhaps the irony of "peace mongers" would suffice.

What remains?

Have we grown weary of failures? I think so. I think that if all politics were thrown aside, then this would be the remaining reason.

When in American history have we laid down our arms because we were weary of a determined enemy? Any war, short and decisive, or protracted and difficult, must be undertaken, continued, and ended only upon the determination of victory achieved. Principles of just war have always maintained that victory is central to the Just War.

The very real difficulties in Iraq should only result in redoubled efforts. Anything else is senseless. Anything else is cowardice, and cowardice has become an American problem.

The only weariness that I believe might end the war justifiably, though bitterly, would be weariness at the immature and devestating bankruptcy of the Iraqi people. This is not racism -- yet because of cultural poisoning by the determined liars of Shi'a Islam, there comes a point where the stagnation of the Iraqis may lead us to shake the dust from our sandels, and leave them to their doom. Yet this time is not yet near, I believe, and I think that even in that case, it would be difficult to say that we were not simply facing a strong enemy. If that were the case, we must stay and fight. And even in that case, the question of our own safety and future arise.

If we lose this battle, the specter of defiant Shi'a, and of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, and the poisonous thugs of Sunni extremism -- the former truly becoming a world symbol in many nations' eyes; the latter, a brutal and violent mafia -- will have done what the West could not do, stabilizing the region, and perhaps have defeated the West in battle while doing it.