Myrtle Beach Sun News Logo

America and future wars | Myrtle Beach Sun News

×
  • E-edition
  • Home
    • Customer Service
    • Subscribe
    • Activate Your Account
    • Account Support
    • Mobile Apps
    • Newsletters
    • The Sun News Store
    • FAQ
    • Cancel SunValues Delivery
    • Plan
    • All Tourist Info
    • Vacation Planner
    • Calendar
    • Where to Stay
    • Ask a Local
    • Festivals Guide
    • Best of the Area
    • Play
    • Nightlife
    • Golf
    • Shopping
    • Shows
    • Myrtle Beach Blog
    • Restaurants

  • Obituaries
    • All News
    • Local News
    • Crime/Courts
    • Business
    • State News
    • Nation/World
    • Weird News
    • More News
    • Politics
    • Myrtle Beach Bike Rallies
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Tourism News
    • Real Estate News
    • All Sports
    • High Schools
    • Coastal Carolina
    • Recreation
    • Golf
    • MB Pelicans
    • Auto Racing
    • More Sports
    • College Sports
    • NFL
    • MLB
    • MB Marathon
    • Toast Of The Coast
    • Green Reading Blog
    • The Roost Blog
    • All Opinion
    • Letters To The Editor
    • Submit A Letter
    • Editorial
    • Cartoons
    • Columns & Blogs
    • Bob Bestler
    • All Living
    • Coasting
    • Neighbors
    • Food
    • Best Of The Beach
    • Announcements
    • Religion
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Home & Garden
    • All Entertainment
    • Kicks!
    • Best Of The Beach
    • Movies
    • Calendar
    • Contests
    • More Entertainment
    • Comics
    • Puzzles & Games
    • Horoscopes
    • Celebrities
    • Music
    • TV

  • Legals
  • Cars
  • Jobs
  • Moonlighting
  • Homes
  • Classifieds
  • Classified Ads

  • About Us
  • Mobile & Apps

Editorials

America and future wars

By CalThomas

    ORDER REPRINT →

May 31, 2012 12:00 AM

On Sunday, Sept. 2, 1945, aboard the battleship USS Missouri at the end of ceremonies marking the unconditional surrender of Japan and the formal end of World War II, Gen. Douglas MacArthur spoke for a world weary of war and hoping for peace: “Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world and that God will preserve it always.”

That prayer was not answered as Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and a host of regional and tribal conflicts have preserved war, not peace, as the means by which too many attempt to settle their differences.

With U.S. combat operations in Iraq effectively over and Afghanistan in the process of winding down (for us, if not for the resilient enemy) there will be little rest between wars as Iran now appears to be the next target.

Politicians start wars, generals plan strategy to wage them and soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen (not to mention civilians) die in them. Since the beginning of the human race, people have sought ways to prevent wars, but every attempt at bringing lasting, or even short-term peace, has failed.

SIGN UP

Sign Up and Save

Get six months of free digital access to The Sun News

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

#ReadLocal

At the United States Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., there are some who are now asking the hard questions about America’s role in warfare. Elisabeth Bumiller of The New York Times wrote about it in a story with the headline, “West Point Asks if a War Doctrine Was Worth It.”

The discussion, even debate, at West Point is first about the effectiveness of counterinsurgency in places like Afghanistan. Col. Gian P. Gentile, director of West Point’s military history program, is quoted as saying that counterinsurgency could work in Afghanistan if the United States makes a multi-decade commitment: “I’m talking 70, 80, 90 years,” he said. With many countries, including France, pulling out of Afghanistan (in France’s case earlier than previously expected due to orders from the country’s new president) and with shattered economies in need of rebuilding, including our own, this leads to a larger question: Can America afford to virtually “go it alone” in defense of the liberty of others who are not willing, or able, to bear the burden and pay the price for their own freedom?

I’m not sure there is a satisfactory answer to the question but it is a question that needs to be debated since we always seem to be the ones who pay the highest price. “Is it worth it?” How will we measure worthiness? These are questions at the heart of the debate.

Former President George W. Bush said, “We’re fighting them over there so we don’t have to fight them here.” But we are already fighting them here as demonstrated by Sept. 11, 2001, the Ft. Hood shootings and numerous other successful and unsuccessful attacks.

Somewhere between “come home, America,” which would lead to isolationism and intervention in every conflict there is a pragmatic approach to war that America should consider. This ought to be an issue in the upcoming election, but it won’t be unless journalists ask the right questions and demand answers from those who have, or are seeking, the power to start or join wars and send our sons and daughters to fight and perhaps die in them.

Perhaps a return to the constitutional principle that only Congress has the power to declare war would help. That is what Rep. Ron Paul argued for during the presidential primary. He raised an important issue, one that should be discussed now, before the next war starts and American leaders decide another generation of young people should fight it.

Contact Thomas, a syndicated columnist, at tmseditors@tribune.com.

  Comments  

Videos

Apartment building in North Myrtle Beach burning

Dawn Staley on how South Carolina has moved on from Kentucky, challenge of Tennessee

View More Video

Trending Stories

Two grocery stores on the Grand Strand are shutting down

February 21, 2019 05:22 PM

Shots fired call, barricaded suspect lead to heavy police response near Coastal Carolina

February 21, 2019 08:37 PM

Did you know about this Myrtle Beach secret? Tunnel stretches beneath Ocean Boulevard

February 22, 2019 01:17 PM

See the beard in real life: Duck Dynasty stars coming to SC for event that helps homeless

February 21, 2019 11:47 AM

She killed her boyfriend then ate a burger. Now, at 72, she wants a new trial or death

February 22, 2019 07:38 AM

things to do

Read Next

Extortion claims and Horry County’s problem with transparency need to be solved — now

Editorials

Extortion claims and Horry County’s problem with transparency need to be solved — now

By The Myrtle Beach Sun News Editorial Board

    ORDER REPRINT →

January 04, 2019 11:00 AM

On the very day he was sworn in as Horry County Council chairman, Johnny Gardner denied any wrongdoing in the claims of extortion in a most unusual case under investigation by the S.C. Law Enforcement Division. The situation has plenty of political intrigue including a leaked, unsubstantiated report of an alleged — particular emphasis, if you will — crime, and elected and appointed public officials refusing to talk on the record.

KEEP READING

Sign Up and Save

#ReadLocal

Get six months of free digital access to The Sun News

SUBSCRIBE WITH GOOGLE

MORE EDITORIALS

Editorials

Voting should be easier than standing in long lines at polling places

November 09, 2018 10:43 AM
Chamber’s bare minimum reporting isn’t enough. City needs to demand more detail.

Editorials

Chamber’s bare minimum reporting isn’t enough. City needs to demand more detail.

September 07, 2018 08:29 AM
President Trump, we’re not ‘enemies of the people.’ End your war on our free press

Editorials

President Trump, we’re not ‘enemies of the people.’ End your war on our free press

August 15, 2018 06:06 PM

Editorials

Task force is a good step, but human trafficking is a problem we must quickly address

August 10, 2018 11:13 AM
International Drive project will seem easy by time we drive on Interstate 73

Editorials

International Drive project will seem easy by time we drive on Interstate 73

August 03, 2018 11:44 AM

Editorials

Horry County administration oversteps in directing elected coroner

June 29, 2018 12:17 PM
Take Us With You

Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand.

Icon for mobile apps

Myrtle Beach Sun News App

View Newsletters

Subscriptions
  • Start a Subscription
  • Customer Service
  • eEdition
  • Vacation Hold
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Rewards
Learn More
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletters
  • News in Education
Advertising
  • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Rates
  • Contests & Promotions
  • Local Deals
Copyright
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service


Back to Story