End Politicization Of The Military

As you know, General Petraeus is before Congress today to issue report on the state of Iraqi progress.  As questions are asked by various Senators, I can’t help but wonder if the war-hawks in Congress are aware of how ridiculous they sound when they speak before Congress on issues of national security and the military.

It’s not just the rhetoric, but the tone that these men use.   The military is clearly sitting before Congress in furtherance of their service to the U.S. defense, yet Republicans are playing the nudge-nudge, wink-wink game.   From phrases like, “I am very proud of our military, but the far left liberals are going to try and paint this as our military using torture…”   to prefacing questions with brown-nosing comments, “We know the military is magnificent in after-mission reports [pause, smile, awaiting pat on the head] what about the Iraq militias?”– Senator Jeff Sessions.

What is it about Republicans that they can’t understand the danger of politicizing the military to the extent that the right has over the last decade?  This is not an us vs. them situation, it never should be about “pro-America” vs. “anti-America”, but these politicians don’t seem to get that point.  People who oppose the war have legitimate reasons for doing so, we don’t just wake up one morning and decide “Today, I’m going to protest the war — because I can!”

Furthermore, anti-War advocates know the policy arguments, we probably know the history more clearly than most and take a global look at the effects of our actions rather than simply focusing on a small time frame that pro-War advocates would like to focus on.

Fred Soto is an Attorney and Entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley.
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