After months of indecision President Obama has finally made a decision about Afghanistan. He has finally come to the same conclusion that others have long been saying and pleading with him to do - there is a need for more troops in Afghanistan so this war can be brought to a conclusion. This decision comes after spending much of his time campaigning for an election he has already won, traveling the world apologizing for everything American, and playing rounds of golf while decent hardworking men and women sacrifice to protect this country from those that have attacked us and wish to destroy us.
The fact that the President has exercised his constitutional authority of commander in chief has caused some to be upset. Some in Congress and some so-called grassroots organizations are pushing to end the war in Afghanistan now instead of sending more troops. While no one likes war, not even people in the military, these fringe groups believe we should turn our backs on the people of Afghanistan, a country that has a history of repression of freedom and killing dissenters. By not supporting the military and sending them the additional troops they need, we would soil the memory of those that have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.
While I have no problem with disagreeing with the commander in chief’s decision, the idea that a group feels the need to reprimand someone for making a decision is akin to bullying. That’s what these groups and members of Congress do if you disagree with their ideologies; they bully you into submission to get their way. This latest form of bullying comes in the disguise of a “war tax” to pay for additional troops. While Congress suggests this would only affect those making more than $250,000 a year it is more like the playground bully extorting lunch money from others.
While making this decision may not have been easy, the notion that the President took nearly 3 months to review the request is disturbing and displays a general lack of understanding when it comes to military matters and foreign policy. While this necessary decision will boost the morale of the fighting men and women, it may not be popular with those that have a lack of understanding of military life and a desire to bully those with their opinions. It is the difficult decisions that build character, and make playground bullies cower because someone finally stood up to them, even if it took nearly three months.
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Playground bullies (http://scriptedpolitics.blogspot.com/2009/12/playground-bullies.html) written by Michael Russell was a very well thought out commentary. He provided great examples of bulling when it comes to politicians. He indicates about a “war tax” that was mentioned by the groups and members of congress who do not agree with the President’s decision. I was very pleased with this article and the message it is portraying. I completely understand that while some are out playing a game of golf other are in the line of fire protecting those playing golf. Yes the subject of war is not an easy subject but it is something that has to be done. And since we have been at war for 8 years we need to finish what we started. If the Afghan people want a change, they need to work with the American troops and work as hard as our men and women are doing to bring upon that change. They need to embrace the help that our troops are there to provide. I can only hope that the sacrifice these men and women and their families are doing is for the good of another nation.
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