In many things that we do, a half-hearted or partial effort just doesn't get it done. We don't almost make a sale and get paid for it, we don't almost stop at the traffic light and not expect that someone might hit us, we don't almost keep our cars under the speed limit and not expect a ticket, we don't almost show up on time for an appointment by not allowing sufficient time to get there, and we don't win a war by not being all-in.
In Texas Hold-Em, there is "all-in" where you put everything you have into the game in an attempt to win. You either win the hand or you lose the game, but you committed everything on the belief that your hand was good enough to win or that you could bluff your opponent into thinking so.
Today a lot of the country is going to the airport and flying someplace to be with family. Do you think that the pilots are sitting up there in the cockpit on takeoff saying to themselves "I wonder what is the least amount of throttle we can use and still manage to takeoff"? Or do you think they are using full, maximum power?
Now, we are embroiled in the war in Afghanistan (little "w" because it is not a decalred war). We are in danger of losing and coming home. McChyrstal, under a direct order from the Commander-in-Chief and his superior officer, prepared an assessment of what it would take to pursue the war to a succcessful outcome. McChrystal reported - back in August - that he needed 40,000 troops within a year to do it.
So, what does the President do? We don't know for sure other than the foot-dragging-procrasnitating-putting-our troops-at-unnnecessary-risk strategy, but it has been leaked and speculated that the President will finally announce next Tuesday - 90 days after he originally received McChystal's report - that he intends to hold back and not go "all-in." He wants to see what 32-35,000 troops (not 40,000) phased in over two years (rather than one) will do. By the way, he says he is committed to the effort and will not accept defeat. Funny way of showing it.
Mr. President, it's time to go all-in. The enemy just might be bluffing.
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My dad always says "If somethings is worth doing it's worth doing right". I think this qualifies.
I don't know if I can picture soldiers lives as poker chips...lets focus on problems in our own country 1st!
Our President showed his idiocy by taking so long to decide. We all know that he had to hold his wet finger up in the air to see which way the wind was blowing.
Allen,
With so much at stake, it absolutley is worth doing right - but mostly doing it a full effort. :)
Steve
Jeremy,
If the war in the middle-East is lost, we'll have so many problems here we won't know what happened. Protectionism doesn't work. :)
Steve
Kevin,
He could change his mind and decide to go with even fewer troops. :)
Steve
Steve, have you considered maybe B. Hussein Obama has superior understanding of military strategy, than our generals? After all, he's an expert in so many areas, such as..............sorry, never mind.
Jon,
You make a great point. :)
Steve
Bring back the draft. Let's see how many chicken hawks want to put their sons and daughters in harms way.
Nogui,
What does the draft have to do with whether Obama can make a decision? In case you missed it, all branches of the Armed Services met their recruiting numbers for the first time - I reported on that earlier. However, morale is slipping in the military as the foot-dragging at the top continues. :)
Steve
Steve, what about the foot dragging during the last 5 years? Surely, you can't think this war started to go bad only recently. We've been losing ground there for the last few years to say the least. I didn't seen anyone accuse Bush of foot dragging when the war started going to hell. The fact that the president is weighing all of his options is a good thing, considering the management of this war in the last few years.
This war needs to end.
By bring the draft back, it will force all Americans to consider this war seriously.
Nogui,
What Bush did or didn't do has nothing to do with whether Obama can make a decision. And the only way this war should end is with a declared victory. :)
Steve
Nogui,
The draft is not necessary. Enough volunteers have enlisted. :)
Steve
Noqui- Weighing all options good. Taking 6-8 months to do it while the troops are begging for backup bad.
Noqui- President Obama in office now. President Bush not in office now.
Noqui- Pres Obama paid to make important decisions in a quick decisive effective manner. Pres Bush paid to sign books and give speeches.
Very simple stuff. Not complicated.
.
Kevin,
Thanks. :)
Steve
Looking back is like comparing apples to oranges. The circumstances are not the same. Dragging your feet and having endless meetings does not get us any closer to a decision. It just stales and lets the enemy get further entrenched.
Obama has no clue how to run a war nor does he seem to listen to advisers. Guess this is a little different than registering dead people to vote.
Now to see how serious the Ameican public is - a pay to fight tax is being considered.
Bonnie,
Everything with this government is a tax. That's the solution for everything. Lack of decisiveness is not a good trait in a leader. :)
Steve
Bonnie & Kevin - war start going bad many years ago
Bonnie & Kevin - previous president do nothing about it
Bonnie & Kevin - new president sent troops earlier this year - maybe you missed it
Bonnie & Kevin - yes weighing all options is good
Bonnie & Kevin - war should be be over very long time ago
Very simple indeed
Nogui,
You missed the point of the post - Obama can't make a decision.
Then, you bring up Bush. He had the Afghan war contained.
Then, you mention the troops Obama sent - authorized by Congress for Bush to send before the end of his term.
As for the length, wars like this are never short. That's what the enemy is counting on - that we'll tire of it and go home. American people need to be prepared for this war to last until it's over - no matter if that's years or decades. Our security depends on it. :)
Steve