by Tom Adkins
01/16/04
The President rose to power almost obsessed with right-wing ideology. He didn’t reveal much during the campaign. Mostly generic stuff. But once in office, he operated with a single-minded drive to eliminate his nation’s most dangerous enemy. An enemy that had, over the years, systematically tortured its own people, conducted mass genocide, attacked neighbors, and threatened the world. He discovered few nations cared to help, and supposed allies actually stood in the way, in some cases having made alliances with this enemy. The President’s critics, domestic and foreign, claimed he was obsessed with war, looking for a fight, and gave big tax breaks to his rich friends. They called him stupid, slow, inattentive, unorganized. And a cowboy.
By the time Ronald Reagan had finished his second term, the Soviet Union was all but defeated, dozens of nations were free from communist rule, and the economy was roaring, creating massive government revenues. His critics looked quite silly.
Today, George W Bush is being painted with the same brush. And the latest painter is former Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill, who “contributed” to The Price of Loyalty, a book of tantrums aimed at the Bush White House. The big shocker? O’Neill claims the Bush Administration planned to take out Saddam Hussein from Day One. Like Reagan, Bush is being accused of fomenting an unnecessary war, motivated by all sorts of nefarious motives.
But the fact is, Bush is doing exactly what any good President should do. In fact, any President who doesn’t prepare to take out our enemies is demonstrably derelict. And history proves it. After World War I, the United States cut military forces to the bone. When Adolph Hitler began his worldwide conquest, America could only offer a few ships to England and a pat on the back. As Japan systematically took over the Pacific, Franklin Roosevelt stood by placidly. Finally, when Tojo attacked Pearl Harbor, American forces were utterly unprepared, and remained underequipped for two more years. Four years and 60 million worldwide deaths later, the Allies prevailed.
Missing the lesson, Harry Truman again cut defense to the bone after World War II ended. After all, the world was at peace. Nothing bad would ever happen again. When Korea’s northern communists attacked the free southern provinces, Douglas MacArthur led under-trained and unequipped American troops fighting in the harsh Korean winter. He successfully drove the communists into the Yalu River, which prompted the Red Chinese to send hundreds of thousands of Chinese troops back across the Yalu, almost driving the Americans into the sea. Eventually, 50,000 dead Americans later, everyone settled into an uneasy truce, divided by the 38th Parallel.
John F. Kennedy offered token assistance to the small band of forces willing to fight the small band of Castro forces. Castro has tyrannically governed for over 40 years. Lyndon Johnson challenged Asian communism in Vietnam to a naïve war of attrition with 60,000 American body bags. Johnson certainly committed to war, but never committed to victory. After Vietnam, Jimmy Carter cut our forces to the bone and almost lost the world to communism. He is still fighting that war today, using the same strategies.
Contrast that with Reagan’s victory over Soviet communism. Undoubtedly, when Reagan took office, his primary goal was to defeat the Soviet Union. Every move he made was aimed at victory. And he won, despite the wailing of leftists everywhere. Now, in the face of withering criticism, George Bush is following the Republican tradition of principled action and decisive victory.
Of course, the Soviets never attacked New York or Washington. But on September 11th, 2001, Arab terrorists did. That was not merely an excuse to fight back; it was a requirement. Fortunately, as O’Neill whines, Bush was prepared. He wisely make no distinction between various terrorists and their motivations, instituting a pre-emptive strategy now necessary for future wars. Hopefully, he isn’t finished.
Fortunately, O’Neill’s book has no tales of nuts, sluts, and criminals running amok through the White House halls. However, O’Neill’s accusations are far more troubling not because of Bush’s preparation, but the significant cadre of fools who apparently expect a President to be utterly unprepared to face our enemies. In fact, the first thing any responsible President should do on Inauguration Day is look at the world, determine our enemies, and prepare plans to militarily take out every one of them. Any President who doesn’t do this is unfit for the office. And if Paul O’Neill didn’t understand this, he isn’t fit for office, either.
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Written by Tom Adkins
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