Comments on: Winning Heart and Minds Isn’t Easy

By: blogbits

blogbits — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:56:35 +0000

Hooah!

By: Mike Brewer

Mike Brewer — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:49:22 +0000

For the uninitiated, “liberal”, as opposed to “left”, is from the Latin root “liberalis” which meant to be free from oppressive forces. William Saffire would go nuts with the ditto heads who have melded left with liberal. Most all of the duties of our Armed Forces are to “liberate” people from oppressive forces. so as to make decisions about their own destiny. That is liberal.
There are no left and right positions in a fox hole.

By: blogbits

blogbits — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:10:36 +0000

After more than 20 years in the U.S. Army, I can say without doubt that I support the service memebers.

As for getting into the left/right argument, someone once told me, “Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.”

By: blogbits

blogbits — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:08:11 +0000

We should carefully watch senior military leaders with political asperations. Look to who left the military after the first gulf war as an example of former warriors versus future political wannabes. Some are already positioning themselves.

By: leftfield

leftfield — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:21:15 +0000

“Do not get me wrong — I fully support the U.S. armed forces…”

I agree with your central point, but I want to use the quote above to illustrate the extent to which those of us on the left have allowed the right to control the terms of the debate in this country. Correct me if I am mistaken, but I believe your use of the above clause is intended to deflect the oft-used criticism from the right that to criticize the government or their conduct is to undermine the troops.

The left needs to make a concerted effort to avoid this trap and no longer be on the defensive; allowing the right to frame the terms of the debate. Let us frame the terms of the debate now.

By: ldonyo

ldonyo — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:50:23 +0000

You can’t win hearts and minds, you need to earn them through appropriate actions.

By: RADC MAXIMUS

RADC MAXIMUS — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:06:32 +0000

Just like the US military to bring back failed strategies. Keep failing until we prevail? Einsteins’ definition of insanity should be carved in granite for all to see at the pentagon.