War Is Hell...

I will probably get flamed for this one but war is absolute hell. It's not pretty. It's not funny. It's gory. It's ugly. It sucks. People die. Civilians die. Militants die. Countries rise and fall. Where is it said that war will be nice and tidy?

Let's begin with our war on terrorism. Honestly, the enemy is well hidden, small, and attacks in ways never comprehended before. As far I am concerned war against the United States is exactly that...WAR...

George S. Patton once said in WWII...'You win a war not by dying for your country but by having the other poor bastard die for his.' Now that is the point. You must win. You do not have a choice to come in second place. It doesn't work that way. If we have to interrogate a prisoner who has vital information...then we do it. We do not pull out a book on human rights. If waterboarding does get information, by all means...I love how people are against torturing prisoners but have never been in a war or asked to fight. They have never seen limbs hanging by a thread.

Now I agree...if we have captured a prisoner, feel they have no immediate value in terms of intelligence information, and are not a immediate threat, then they should be treated with dignity and respect as outlined within the Geneva Convention. But let me state...if we need to win a war, we are not going to be nice. You do not win by being humane or nice. You win a war by defeating your opponent. That generally means killing them.

Maybe I am an old fart with my outdated philosophy but let me tell you this...Even back to the Civil War where General Sherman stated...War is hell. That's all he said. WAR IS HELL. So get off the high horses and ask yourself a question....do you want to win or lose? That is the only question you need ask.