Tom Kawczynski - Off the Record

I'm not a big fan of using my blog to take shots at individual politicians, because I think we spend plenty of time doing that and not nearly enough looking at why policy makers behave as they do.  That said, there are times where you can focus upon one person, one decision, and see clearly that it is wrong.

For all the hubbub about the health care debate and the inevitable fight coming in the Senate, we seem to have forgotten there is an ongoing war.  Thousands of American lives are at risk along with those of our allies up in the treacherous passes of Afghanistan.  Yet, what are we doing about this?

Barack Obama was elected with a strong mandate to end this war from his own supporters.  Instead of employing that, he has dithered, leaving people stranded in no man's land.  As his administration works out whatever political calculus they think best, people are dying in a war we aren't sure if we want to fight.  Seemingly content to neither pull the men out or put enough men in to do what would be required for  even a chance of success, this disappoints me far more than any other action he has taken.

You are many things when you are President, but foremost amongst those is Commander-in-Chief.  This means you must be the decisive voice that gives meaning to all those in the field and what they are doing.  The excuse that this is George W/ Bush's War means nothing anymore, because he has not sought to end it.  You are America to the world, and the world is listening.

I could respect him if he said, "This is a war that we should not be fighting, and having removed the regime that caused these attacks, we're coming home."  It would give honor to those who served, and remove us from the specter of tribal loyalties and corrupt regimes.  I could also respect him if he said, "This is a war we must win for our future security, and we will do whatever it takes to succeed."  I disagree heartily with the concept, but I honor the commitment and intentions.

What I cannot stomach is the current approach that says take a few months and then "We'll see."  Our servicemen deserve better than that; they deserve leadership.  If you want the big seat, then you must take the decision on your shoulders and right or wrong, act.