One can certainly get a lot of opinions on world affairs
this morning. I’m talking about the condition between the Middle East and
America. The most pithy and alarming ones are from the ones who know the least.
The most adamant are from folks who have never, nor have their children, nor
have their grandchildren, ever served a second in a military uniform of the
United States of America.
Now, I’m not like man in the audience I heard recently imply
that an author who wrote a very detailed and well-researched account of the
debacle at Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War wasn’t qualified to write
about war since he had never served in the military. That’s carrying things a
bit far in my book.
I find Storm of Steel (Stahlgewittern), the
memoir of German officer Ernst Jünger's experiences on the Western Front during
the First World War the most terrifying and chilling accounts of war I’ve read.
Unfortunately, and this is my opinion only, I found Audie Murphy’s biography of
his war experiences disappointing. I did find, however, his acting performance
exemplary in the film version of Red Badge of Courage. That’s from the Stephan
Crane novel, which many think contains accurate and realistic counts of war. Crane
had in fact never been in military combat, constructing scenes from research
and what he referred to as skirmishes on the football field.
Now, where was I? Oh, so who to believe concerning the mess
we seem to be in? Whom shall we trust o provide us unemotional rational
analysis? I’ll tell you whom I don’t trust.
- Fox “news”
- Most opinion writers
- Meme creators, especially those in Russia
- People who think foreign affairs is a simple task
I’ll stick with people who study, people who publish researched
pieces, and people who have at least been in a war zone.
To a large extent, I trust the military. Some of the finest
people I’ve known either serve, or have served in the military. This includes
one present warrior who is one of the finest men I’ve had the privilege to know
personally.
We must remain careful, though. Never forget that the United
States Army Reserves allowed Tom Cotton in, even made him an officer. The
United States Navy Reserve allowed Sean Spicer in. Even made him an officer. The
United States Marines allowed Oliver North in, even made him an officer. The Texas
Air National Guard allowed (they think maybe) George W. Bush in. Even made him
an officer. Oh, and there’s that Air Force general a few years back who made
them built an apartment in one of the giant transports and then fly him and his
(female) aide around the world, just stopping often enough to refuel. I think
they would fuel the plane then as well.
Want any of them deciding which assault-wave your sons, daughters
or grandkids will be in when we invade Iran?
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| We might ask her what she thinks. |
