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Thursday, September 13, 2007
Cliff May :: Townhall.com Columnist
Advice for a Presidential Candidate: What would Winston Churchill Do?
by Cliff May
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It is possible the current conflict will be less lethal than World War II. But it will last longer -- it already has. What policy would a Churchillian presidential candidate adopt? Churchill said: "You ask, what is our policy? I say it is to wage war by land, sea, and air. War with all our might and with all the strength God has given us, and to wage war against a monstrous tyranny never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy."

Any candidate supporting this approach would have only disdain for such groups as MoveOn.org which this week accused General David Petraeus of "betrayal" for refusing to accept defeat in the Battle of Iraq

After Gen. Petraeus' initial testimony, both the Washington Post and the Washington Times headlined his support for troop reductions next year. But, by definition, a "surge" subsides. Petraeus has always intended to transfer responsibility for security to Iraqis – he just wants to decide when and where, based on conditions on the ground, not legislation passed in Washington.

The New York Times, whose editorial page views are hardly distinguishable from those of MoveOn.org, was closer to identifying the news in Petraeus' report. Its top story: "Petraeus Warns Against Quick Pullback in Iraq." It should not require a Churchill to see that if American forces leave Iraq precipitously, America's enemies will fill the vacuum. And Iraqis who have been fighting with us will be slaughtered. People around the world will get the joke: To be America's friend is more perilous than to be America's enemy.

The real news in Petraeus' testimony: Americans troops have been beating al-Qaeda in Iraq and, as that job gets done, it is Iranian-backed militias that are becoming the main problem that needs to be eliminated. The regime in Tehran wants Iraq as its colony. It doesn't want Iraq to be an America ally in the war with Militant Islamism.

On several occasions over the past three decades, Tehran has sent murderers to kill Americans. On none of those occasion has the United States responded forcefully. The mullahs are betting there will be no break with that precedent – not by the current occupant of the Oval Office and not by whoever replaces him in 2009.

I suspect more than a few Americans would vote for a candidate who tells us the mullahs are dead wrong.
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About The Author

Clifford D. May is the President of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

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(27 comments so Far)
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Reply # 1
Date: Sep 14, 2007 - 8:58 PM EST
The Dragon-tongued Beast
“Unlike the Nazis or the Soviets eager to use its own military power, the Regime has been covertly waging “unrestricted warfare” of terror, economy and media by proxy to wear down the will of the last Christian power on earth, in preparation for the final conflict.

The Soviets were openly called “the Evil Empire” by the USA, but the Regime had its way to be named as “strategic partners” instead. The Soviets would be challenged directly for any trouble coming from its allies, but the Regime could get around and play the role of a “mediator” for crises caused by its proxies, once named as “the axis of evil” immediately after the worst attack on American soil.”

Above is a quote from the article “Behold, 666 is here”. Details are available at
http://www.canadafreepress.com/2007/chow051007.htm
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Reply # 2
Date: Sep 14, 2007 - 5:26 PM EST
Jimmy D
The Chinese Military Budget is assessed at $75 billion - 1/6 of ours. It has not invaded a foreign country for many centuries. If you'
re worried - perhaps its because the West invaded China, followed by Japan - yet China was no threat to any of those powers at the time. Are you suggesting payback? That $75 billion you claim we're financing is a pittance as compared to what the country is spending on internal developments - it's true focus and interest.

As far as Taiwan - Taiwan certainly isn't yours - but it did used to be in China's sphere of influence.

If you're worried that China will dominate within it's sphere of influence, then you're probably right.

But the fact that we've been hanging around for 60 years certainly doesn't make it ours. After all, they've been hanging around that neighborhood for 4500 years.

Is our trade deal badly written - absolutely. Are we being exploited - no question about it. But that's not the fault of the Chinese - that's the same leadership that wanders around with 12 million illegals (or is in 20 million) and explains why it can't, won't, doesn't, enforce the laws. Talk to them. They're the ones that talk out of both sides of their mouths on trade. As in - we give the other guy free trade access to our markets (you know - free trade)- while they protect their's against us - and we let them do it. And yes - I think the Chinese are the most formidable future competitor on the table. They compete - hard. My prediction is that in 30 years their economy will be larger than ours. In the same time, they will very likely overcome our lead in technology. After all - they're grinding out 5 engineers for every one we put out. They're lean and hungry. They want more than Americans do. That's what being hungry does to you.

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