Separate Strategy from Tactics in this War

[David Octavius]

All this nonsense going around that if you disagree with the administration you don't support our troops is ridiculous - sure there are a few fringe people on the left that don't but the vast majority do, but get painted unfairly by the right.

But the anti-Iraq people are not questioning the competency or ability of the troops in their fight - which we call the tactics of war - but questions the strategy, the overall plan - the thing that influence and gives direction to the tactics.

In the corporate world, you can have very competent employees but if the CEO is corrupt or incompetent with his strategies the company will fail despite the best efforts of those below him. The tactics of the employees can only do so much - it can win a battle here and there - but it is the strategy that dictates success or failure of the war.

That is why we do see success "on the ground", we have great, brave and smart troops and they can kick ass, but if those who are in strategic positions do not have a realistic path to victory - say a stable Iraq government, the total defeat of the "insurgency" or what have you - then eventually we will lose and start losing more battles.

By separating it, we see that many antiwar people do support the troops but not the President strategy which is more than a reasonable objection given the results of his actions since 2003. That casualties have been relatively low on our side is a testament to the tactics of our troops, not the strategy of the administration - imagine then if our tactics was supported by a sound strategy, this war would be over!


If you think the strategy of our administration is not sound, I can't see how you can support this war when its been proven for thousands of years that bad strategy eventually leads losing the war and seeing more troops die needlessly

[RMNIXON]

You make a good but long winded argument.

The truth in three parts:


1. Do you want us to win?

2. Do you want us to win but fear a loss?

3. Do you want us to lose and think hurting Bush and our use of military power to solve problems is more important than winning?


I have no problem with number 2. That is my answer. Not just in Iraq but the whole war. I think polls reflect that. But don't make me try to think number 3 is such a small and fringe number. I don't buy that.