It's been a long week for all of us. I am employed as a news editor. The stories of tragedy, hope, defiance, rage, sadness, and faith have overwhelmed me. I've cried more in this past week than I have in a long time, including last year's passing of my grandfather.
In this past week, I've read a great many opinion columns, with ideas ranging from retaliation on a massive scale to complete isolationism, from advocating a complete reliance on only diplomatic measures to advocacy for a unilateral military response alone. While I know that my words will likely influence only a scant few, I have chosen to exercise my right to add my voice to the din.
History
I am pursuing a history degree. I've read easily hundreds of history books, especially focusing on military history. There is literally no precedent for America's current situation. However, many now are citing historical examples to bolster their arguments. Let's briefly visit a few of the most commonly seen:
1. America should avoid foreign entanglements
While this is a noble thought, there are times when a person or a nation-state must act to preserve the lives of the innocent. In the same way that a person cannot hide in his house and only act for his own family, there are times when nation-states must move beyond their borders to protect the innocent. WWII is only a recent example.
2. Violence never works
Violence most certainly has worked in the past. The only way to stop someone that will not listen to reason is violence. Violence should always be the last resort of either a person or a nation-state, and even when violence is chosen, harm to the innocent must be minimized.
It is my assertion that the United States must act, and act decisively, in the very near future. If we withdraw into our own borders, more innocents will needlessly die in our country and those of our allies-and enemies. We have the incredible power and might of a great, free, and prosperous nation. With that comes the responsibility to act for the good, for the benefit of our neighbors, near and far.
The Carrot
The first step, and most simple to implement, is the carrot. Our nation must give an incentive to join our crusade to protect the innocent. These incentives should come in a variety of forms, depending on the needs of the nation in question. Any nation that would be willing to expel terrorists would be taking the risk of becoming themselves a target of those groups. We must do great works to aid these countries.
Many of them simply need food. As the grandson of an American farmer, I have great confidence that this nation alone could feed the world. In fact, I've seen that very statistic bandied about in recent years. We should assist the hungry in many ways, ranging from direct donations of food to preferential prices on food to a nation to giving that nation advanced agricultural equipment, technology, and methods. A sack of grain embossed with the American flag should not be underestimated as a tool of foreign policy, and neither should a John Deere tractor with that same flag on the side. Educational aid could also be of great assistance to these nations.
Other nations require industrial and military assistance. Guarantees of continued compliance with United States operations against terror and guarantees of protection to the innocent in their nation should be met, but these nations should be given the same assistance that Germany was given after WWII. Our fight truly is not with the people of the nations around the world, but with those who would threaten the lives of the innocent.
This great country can thrive, even while sacrificing to bring other countries into the fold of the free world.
The Stick
Some people and nations won't respond to aid, especially aid that requires action on their part. These people and nations should face the stick of the United States. For those that refuse to help the United States, or even openly defy our calls to defend the innocent should not be blindly attacked. The United States has many ways to influence a nation, and all of these should be employed whenever possible.
Imagine the effect on a nation that suddenly could not trade whatsoever with the United States and her allies. The trade embargo on Cuba would pale in comparison. With the help of our allies also joining the embargo, the effect on a targeted nation would be immense, and more importantly, felt by the leaders of that nation as well as the citizens. Even the threat of such a trade embargo would bring many countries into grudging compliance with U.S. wishes.
Layering embargos with seizing assets of that country or person, and the situation for such a target becomes even more grave. This action could very well dry up the sea in which these monsters swim. Especially if the alternative to such hardship is the carrot mentioned above, the choice for reasonable nations would be clear.
Now, while it is true that this would divide the world into those for us and those against us, this isn't necessarily something to view with dread. Currently, reaction from the powers of this world has been supportive of the rhetoric (and coming action) from Washington. Many of them are advocating restraint, but the aid offered to those that support us would cause both those countries and those on the fence to see the nobility of our crusade.
The Sword
There are many people and nations that will not heed either the carrot or the stick. For these, the only alternative is the sword. For those directly responsible for the deaths of innocents, both in the recent attacks on the United States and also those involved in global terrorism, direct and overwhelming violence is the only way to stop them. After identifying, tracking, and analyzing these cells of barbarians, they should be wiped out to the last man, or brought to the U.S. for trial.
For those that harbor these groups, not only should they be targeted directly, but the infrastructure that supports them should be taken away as well. Nations that continue to harbor terrorists should be denied airports, seaports, communication, trade, and industrial capacity. After the regime has either come to their senses or has been replaced, aid from the carrot stage should be immediately applied. Again, our enemies are not the citizens of such countries, but those that harbor terrorists are.
In this effort, we will likely take casualties. This war isn't going to be a “Nintendo War” as the Gulf War was described. While pinpoint strikes from bombers is likely to be part of any effort, it won't be the only action undertaken. It is likely that special forces will need to go in on the ground to engage and destroy hidden targets. It's also highly possible that larger formations of troops like the 82nd Airborne and the Marines will be deployed to areas to either do massive ground strikes or to occupy territory.
My younger brother is currently serving in the United States Coast Guard, a service that took a staggeringly high percentage of casualties in WWII. Eric, you're doing your family proud. His friend is on Okinawa in the Marine Corps, ready to serve. Shock, I thank you for your service, and I couldn't be prouder of you. If necessary, I will leave my life of relative ease and serve my country as well. While we will almost assuredly lose good men in the service of our nation, we must act to defend the innocent in our country and around the world.
Conclusions
In the face of the barbaric acts of last week, America must act. We cannot simply withdraw from the world. We have been suddenly and deliberately attacked, and now share the sorrow of the victims of terror around the globe. We must act to stop not merely those responsible for the attacks on the WTC and the Pentagon, but to eradicate the entire notion of terrorism wherever and whenever we are able.
Military action alone isn't enough. Diplomatic and economic action alone would not be enough either. We must rise to the challenge expressed by John F. Kennedy in his 1961 Inaugural Address when he said, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
I also echo Abraham Lincoln's determination in saying, “We shall nobly save, or meanly lose, the last best, hope of earth.”
God Bless America
Jason Robert Miller
