Post by subdjoe on Aug 22, 2008 18:38:02 GMT -5
This was just sent to me.
A VERY COMPELLING ARTICLE...WORTH READING
George W.'s War...
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
No one likes war. War is a horrific affair, bloody
and expensive. Sending our men and women into battle to
perhaps die or be maimed is an unconscionable thought.
Yet some wars need to be waged, and someone needs to lead. The citizenry and Congress are often ambivalent or largely opposed to any given war. It's up to our leader to convince them. That's why we call the leader “Commander-In-Chief.'
George W.'s war was no different. There was lots of
resistance to it. Many in Congress were vehemently
against the idea. The Commander-In-Chief had to lobby
for legislative approval.
Along with supporters, George W. used the force of
his convictions, the power of his title and every ounce of
moral persuasion he could muster to rally support. He had to assure Congress and the public that the war was morally
justified, winnable and affordable. Congress eventually came around and voted overwhelmingly to wage war.
George W. then lobbied foreign governments for support.
But in the end, only one European nation helped us.
The rest of the world sat on its hands and watched.
After a few quick victories, things started to go bad. There were many dark days when all the news was
discouraging. Casualties began to mount. It became obvious
that our forces were too small. Congress began to drag its
feet about funding the effort.
Many who had voted to support the war just a few years
earlier were beginning to speak against it and accuse
the Commander-In-Chief of misleading them. Many critics
began to call him incompetent, an idiot and even a liar.
Journalists joined the negative chorus with a vengeance.
As the war entered its fourth year, the public began to
grow weary of the conflict and the casualties.
George W.'s popularity plummeted. Yet through it all, he
stood firm, supporting the troops and endorsing the
struggle.
Without his unwavering support, the war would have surely
ended, then and there, in overwhelming and total defeat.
At this darkest of times, he began to make some
changes. More troops were added and trained. Some advisers
were shuffled, and new generals installed.
Then, unexpectedly and gradually, things began to improve.
Now it was the enemy that appeared to be growing weary of
the lengthy conflict and losing support. Victories began to come, and hope returned.
Many critics in Congress and the press said the improvements were just George W.'s good luck. The
progress, they said, would be temporary. He knew, however,
that in warfare good fortune counts.
Then, in the un likeliest of circumstances and perhaps the most historic example of military luck, the enemy blundered and was resoundingly defeated. After six long years of war, the Commander-In-Chief basked in a most hard-fought victory.
So on that historic day, October 19, 1781, in a place
called Yorktown , a satisfied George Washington sat
upon his beautiful white horse and accepted the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.
What? Were you thinking of someone else?
A VERY COMPELLING ARTICLE...WORTH READING
George W.'s War...
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY
No one likes war. War is a horrific affair, bloody
and expensive. Sending our men and women into battle to
perhaps die or be maimed is an unconscionable thought.
Yet some wars need to be waged, and someone needs to lead. The citizenry and Congress are often ambivalent or largely opposed to any given war. It's up to our leader to convince them. That's why we call the leader “Commander-In-Chief.'
George W.'s war was no different. There was lots of
resistance to it. Many in Congress were vehemently
against the idea. The Commander-In-Chief had to lobby
for legislative approval.
Along with supporters, George W. used the force of
his convictions, the power of his title and every ounce of
moral persuasion he could muster to rally support. He had to assure Congress and the public that the war was morally
justified, winnable and affordable. Congress eventually came around and voted overwhelmingly to wage war.
George W. then lobbied foreign governments for support.
But in the end, only one European nation helped us.
The rest of the world sat on its hands and watched.
After a few quick victories, things started to go bad. There were many dark days when all the news was
discouraging. Casualties began to mount. It became obvious
that our forces were too small. Congress began to drag its
feet about funding the effort.
Many who had voted to support the war just a few years
earlier were beginning to speak against it and accuse
the Commander-In-Chief of misleading them. Many critics
began to call him incompetent, an idiot and even a liar.
Journalists joined the negative chorus with a vengeance.
As the war entered its fourth year, the public began to
grow weary of the conflict and the casualties.
George W.'s popularity plummeted. Yet through it all, he
stood firm, supporting the troops and endorsing the
struggle.
Without his unwavering support, the war would have surely
ended, then and there, in overwhelming and total defeat.
At this darkest of times, he began to make some
changes. More troops were added and trained. Some advisers
were shuffled, and new generals installed.
Then, unexpectedly and gradually, things began to improve.
Now it was the enemy that appeared to be growing weary of
the lengthy conflict and losing support. Victories began to come, and hope returned.
Many critics in Congress and the press said the improvements were just George W.'s good luck. The
progress, they said, would be temporary. He knew, however,
that in warfare good fortune counts.
Then, in the un likeliest of circumstances and perhaps the most historic example of military luck, the enemy blundered and was resoundingly defeated. After six long years of war, the Commander-In-Chief basked in a most hard-fought victory.
So on that historic day, October 19, 1781, in a place
called Yorktown , a satisfied George Washington sat
upon his beautiful white horse and accepted the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.
What? Were you thinking of someone else?
