WE ARE AT WAR; PERIOD ! - THE SUNDAY COMMENTARY

Whether you are from the right as I am or from the left as many of you who will read this are we have two things in common. We are Americans and we are threatened by an enemy who wishes us dead because we are Americans! I realize this is a very simple and direct statement but a true and dangerously realistic one none the less. Because of the latter part of that statement this nation IS AT WAR! A war that is like no other in our history. In every instance since the birth of our nation which found its very delivery through war, we have fought enemies who were similar as far as military standards are concerned. Each consisted of an organized military force that wore a specific uniform that was readily identifiable. Their military tactics were similar to our own. The leaders of the enemy followed a basic military code and confronted out military from a known military standard. All were from other countries and fought at the orders of their commanders, king, or dictator. The war that we are waging today is much different than any in our history. The Global War on Terror is a war against a radical ideology that at its heart seeks to eliminate our way of life simply because we exist and do not believe as they do! The religion that is used as its basis has been twisted by radical fundamentalist who are using that religion as a means to destroy the western world and enslave their own people. In every instance in our history with the exception of our Revolution when we have been at war we either fought on foreign soil against an enemy that was in its own country or a country that they had taken by force and we allied with the defeated country to restore their right to exist as a free nation. Even our own Revolution, though not fought on foreign soil had a distinct division and one knew, (with few exceptions, ) exactly who ones enemy was. The War on Terror differs because as 9/11 taught us those who seek our destruction may be found in other countries, in our own nation, our state , our cities, or possibly right next door in a sleeper cell waiting for orders to become active. The vigilance necessary for this war is unmatched in this nations history and the resolve that is necessary to defeat this enemy must continually be strengthened by our belief and love of this nation, what we stand for and who we are as a people. This is a war, with specific goals that can be set and achieved and victories measured, yet a war that has an ever changing face in order to confront an enemy that disguises itself in the populace of any country and does not have the same respect for life as we do. This alone is what makes this war so dangerous. This enemy believes that dying IS victory. General George S. Patton once stated that no one ever won a war by dying for his country, he won it by making the OTHER poor dumb, (expletive excluded), die for his country. Every enemy that we have faced in the past cherished life and though some like the Japanese empire were fanatical in giving their lives for their cause all, if given the choice, would rather fight and live to either fight again or return home after the war. This enemy believes that the goal and their reward comes not from returning to their families which I am sure they cherish as we do, but do die in a glorious ending that kills as many infidels as possible.

Many have forgotten or have chosen to ignore the truth about this war. The length and time frame of a Global War on Terror can not be predicted. Yet there are many, especially on the left who believe that since an end cannot be stated then why continue the fight. We were attacked repeatedly and it took the catastrophic events of 9/11 to finally cause us to say ,"that is enough," and," its time to take the fight to the enemy." Yet many believe that fighting should end and revert to a pre-9/11 world tolerating terrorism and seeking justice through the courts. Not once accepting the blatantly truthful fact that this enemy does not respect our laws, does not accept our court orders nor even accept our right to exist. The ONLY acceptance that exists in their mind of us is using whatever means that they can devise to bring about our destruction and death! The only answer to this type of mentality is to kill the enemy before he kills you!

During WWII moral of the nation though war weary as any nation gets in a time of war, remained high because every day news was received about the accomplishments of our military. Yes this was mixed with the ever present sadness of the loss of the brave men and women who were fighting for freedom, but it was a loss that we as a nation accepted as the cost of that freedom. This war is no different in the sense that the terrible loss of even one American is a tragedy but throughout our history we are the land of the free BECAUSE of the brave. Yet despite this truth we on the home front are confronted daily with reports of ONLY body counts and very little if any news of what their sacrifice is accomplishing. During Vietnam the press used this body count tactic and the continual negative reporting and showing of caskets coming home to turn the nation against the war and the men and women who fought in that war. Today this tactic is used on a daily basis. The opponents of the President are using this same negativism and half truths to attempt to turn the nation against the War on Terror and when those of us who support the war and the President disagree with their rhetoric we then are accused of questioning their patriotism and only stating GOP talking points as well as not having the ability to think on our own and draw our own conclusions. To you on the left who DO NOT support the war we do not question your patriotism just you judgment which is our right as Americans. We also realize that though the negative is most of what we hear the enemy does not care about our political debate or disagreements they only wish us dead and THAT is why we support this war to defend our nation, our freedom and our very existence! WE ARE AT WAR; PERIOD!

Ken Taylor