Independence Day Special 2011:
Governments and Individual Rights
Internet Freedom VS On-line Piracy
Laws Must be Specific to Preserve Freedom
Checking Premises Statements and My Position
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2001
Afghanistan and beyond
Thomas M. Miovas, Jr.
HB wrote:
>3. Interesting comparison: the US vs. the Soviets
>in fighting in Afghanistan. So far, it looks like
>we're having an easy time of it compared to the Soviet
>quagmire of failure.
My father was in the US Navy for thirty years, now retired though wishing he could re-enlist. While in that service, he was the chief weather forecaster for the USS Enterprise (now engaged in the current war). During war games with the Soviets in the Indian Ocean, he helped the US win by accurately predicting the path and scope of a cyclone, that gave us cover and nearly destroyed several Soviet aircraft. It may seem strange that we would have war games with our, then, greatest enemy, but a lot can be learned during such activities -- and you can show off your capabilities as
a deterrence to actual war.
What is significant is this context is that during these war games, each side had access to the other's radio frequencies. The biggest hindrance to the Soviet military was their refusal to let those on the front lines make their own decisions (within parameters, of course) regarding engaging the enemy. This came about due to a massive distrust of their own rank and file. The most often heard radio broadcast by the Soviet fighters calling to their masters was: "What do I do next?!"
I recently attended the Fort Worth International Air Show this past Sunday, and will write up a further report later. Significantly, *all* of our fighting men -- not just the military pilots -- were primed and ready to go to war: they were proud, self-assured, and had great self-confidence. By contrast, the crew of Russia's largest flying cargo carrier were timid and had little self-esteem. Of course, they may not have been military, but the Fed-X guys even stood head and shoulders above the Russian cargo crew.
Regarding what to do about Afghanistan. There is a mythos surrounding that country that it has never been successfully occupied by a foreign power. If we can go in, conquer them, and take it over, that mythos would be destroyed, and the rest of the Mideast would take notice. I say we do it, but it doesn't look like that is in the plans.
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