I have a hard time responding to this A through Z fiasco without my emotions getting the better of me.
As some of you know I only believe in very selective nation building missions. I do not support any nation building effort where the cultural, religious and modernity gap is simply too large. I support Punitive Expeditions of limited duration when nations, regions or tribes have transgressed to the point where extreme violence is required to destroy the enemy and depart. Afghanistan was for me a classic case of the need to destroy the enemy, their resources and their institutions and leave them in the flames and rubble pile they brought on themselves.
Our naive, clueless and incompetent leaders thought otherwise. For this they will face no consequences. Setting aside why we were there, the focus must be on the actual decisions of how to withdraw.
Since we chose the bad strategic option we were left with the operational decisions to execute a withdrawal. That was a disaster for a hundred reasons I could list in great detail. Our “Leadership” revealed themselves as incompetent, apathetic, ignorant, irresponsible and lacking a shred of character. The casualty toll was not just Abbey Gate but the tens of thousand who fought there and those who died there.
Our great Republic has a fundamental flaw with the very concept of accountability. We just do not know how to hold individuals accountable. I know how, but it does not fit our view of ourselves. Sooner or later accountability must become a part of the lexicon again or our future will become increasingly bleak.
Once again, it is important to this writer’s mind that as CP requested we remain apolitical here. Vote one’s conscience, but hold your franchise dear. Read that as “I don’t and shouldn’t know how anyone votes.” It doesn’t matter whether democrat, republican or independent, the simple facts are the “leadership” both civilian and military has failed spectacularly over the last 20 years and we have a shambles of a military at the moment. That said, It is well to honor in our hearts and minds these last 13 fallen warriors. So thanks CP for this post. Today of all days seems especially hard. I didn’t know them, or their families, but I knew them! We all served with them, we miss their smiles, they heard their country calling and answered, and since they are just part of the 1% serving their deaths seem all the more tormenting. To this day the Centcom commander at the time, has refused to take any meaningful responsibility for the disastrous NEO at HKIA, he’s written a book, has a swell civilian job and is quite the talking head on legacy media news outlets. Imagine a US Marine Corps Four Star General so lacking in self awareness and frankly any shred of dignity, that he basically blames everyone but himself. Talk about a point counterpoint. We leave Kabul in the dark, a region shredded by our failed nation building and 13 flag draped metal caskets as the exclamation point on the whole affair. It’s very very difficult not be very angry. So taking the high road, honor the fallen, work towards reconstituting our Marine Corps and do so in a positive in a way, the other options are just too bitter a pill to swallow. Making sure we have a Corps and a damn strong one with a hard ass MAGTF to do just what Douglas Rape’ is suggesting, seems the best way to carry the message forward. “Never again!”
Compass Points.....for a stronger Marine Corps....Protect the Lights of Liberty. It is particularly unfortunate Compass Points has chosen to enter national politics less than 75 days until the 2024 election in rendering support for the individual who led the Administration that negotiated to the tragic withdrawal while at the same time castigating the present Democratic nominee for President of the United States for not being present at the 3 year memorial. Who was responsible for setting up this 3 year memorial? Do you know? How in heavens name can you support "A Stronger Marine Corps" by supporting MAGA? MAGA is led by an individual who is a, yet to be sentenced, convicted felon who can't even vote for himself under existing laws in his home state of Florida.
Good Sir, The facts are that the withdrawal was a military operation negotiated by 2 Administrations and was the command responsibility of Central Command and it's commanding general. The facts are the individual honored by the Compass Points article chose not to honor other war dead at an earlier time.
Bob, I can see how you could read a political intent into the post, but believe me none of those who produce the daily posts or any of us who try to help them out want to engage in any political activity. We have folks on both sides of the Red-Blue split but we treat that as personal matters not to interfere with professional ones. PKVR
I have a hard time responding to this A through Z fiasco without my emotions getting the better of me.
As some of you know I only believe in very selective nation building missions. I do not support any nation building effort where the cultural, religious and modernity gap is simply too large. I support Punitive Expeditions of limited duration when nations, regions or tribes have transgressed to the point where extreme violence is required to destroy the enemy and depart. Afghanistan was for me a classic case of the need to destroy the enemy, their resources and their institutions and leave them in the flames and rubble pile they brought on themselves.
Our naive, clueless and incompetent leaders thought otherwise. For this they will face no consequences. Setting aside why we were there, the focus must be on the actual decisions of how to withdraw.
Since we chose the bad strategic option we were left with the operational decisions to execute a withdrawal. That was a disaster for a hundred reasons I could list in great detail. Our “Leadership” revealed themselves as incompetent, apathetic, ignorant, irresponsible and lacking a shred of character. The casualty toll was not just Abbey Gate but the tens of thousand who fought there and those who died there.
Our great Republic has a fundamental flaw with the very concept of accountability. We just do not know how to hold individuals accountable. I know how, but it does not fit our view of ourselves. Sooner or later accountability must become a part of the lexicon again or our future will become increasingly bleak.
Well said, Doug.
Semper Fi
I agree with your comments, unequivocally.
Once again, it is important to this writer’s mind that as CP requested we remain apolitical here. Vote one’s conscience, but hold your franchise dear. Read that as “I don’t and shouldn’t know how anyone votes.” It doesn’t matter whether democrat, republican or independent, the simple facts are the “leadership” both civilian and military has failed spectacularly over the last 20 years and we have a shambles of a military at the moment. That said, It is well to honor in our hearts and minds these last 13 fallen warriors. So thanks CP for this post. Today of all days seems especially hard. I didn’t know them, or their families, but I knew them! We all served with them, we miss their smiles, they heard their country calling and answered, and since they are just part of the 1% serving their deaths seem all the more tormenting. To this day the Centcom commander at the time, has refused to take any meaningful responsibility for the disastrous NEO at HKIA, he’s written a book, has a swell civilian job and is quite the talking head on legacy media news outlets. Imagine a US Marine Corps Four Star General so lacking in self awareness and frankly any shred of dignity, that he basically blames everyone but himself. Talk about a point counterpoint. We leave Kabul in the dark, a region shredded by our failed nation building and 13 flag draped metal caskets as the exclamation point on the whole affair. It’s very very difficult not be very angry. So taking the high road, honor the fallen, work towards reconstituting our Marine Corps and do so in a positive in a way, the other options are just too bitter a pill to swallow. Making sure we have a Corps and a damn strong one with a hard ass MAGTF to do just what Douglas Rape’ is suggesting, seems the best way to carry the message forward. “Never again!”
Compass Points.....for a stronger Marine Corps....Protect the Lights of Liberty. It is particularly unfortunate Compass Points has chosen to enter national politics less than 75 days until the 2024 election in rendering support for the individual who led the Administration that negotiated to the tragic withdrawal while at the same time castigating the present Democratic nominee for President of the United States for not being present at the 3 year memorial. Who was responsible for setting up this 3 year memorial? Do you know? How in heavens name can you support "A Stronger Marine Corps" by supporting MAGA? MAGA is led by an individual who is a, yet to be sentenced, convicted felon who can't even vote for himself under existing laws in his home state of Florida.
Compass Points was only stating facts. You my friend have made the political statement, not Compass Points
Good Sir, The facts are that the withdrawal was a military operation negotiated by 2 Administrations and was the command responsibility of Central Command and it's commanding general. The facts are the individual honored by the Compass Points article chose not to honor other war dead at an earlier time.
Bob, I can see how you could read a political intent into the post, but believe me none of those who produce the daily posts or any of us who try to help them out want to engage in any political activity. We have folks on both sides of the Red-Blue split but we treat that as personal matters not to interfere with professional ones. PKVR