They'll like us when we win

I don't know about you, but I like the TV show "The West Wing." Yes, I know it has ultra liberal Martin Sheen as the President (which does send shivers down my spine if I think about that too long), but the show is very finely crafted and Aaron Sorkin, before quitting the show, is an unbelievably gifted writer, even if he's almost always wrong politically.

A quote from the show has stayed with me for many, many years.

"They'll like us when we win."

It was a line used by one of the show's characters to explain why it was okay to say some pretty harsh words about some Middle Eastern countries who would, of course, take offense to the harsh words.

It seems almost prescient now.

I believe this should be the driving idea behind our efforts in Iraq.

Taking Fallujah will upset the populace - Tough, they'll like us when we win.

If we get too close to their holy shrines, they'll get upset - Tough, they'll like us when we win.

If we crack down too hard, international reaction will be firmly against us - Tough, they'll like us when we win.

We should not appease, in any degree, large or small, any insurgents or their apologists. I'll know we are doing our job right when the French and German governments start condemning us. When talks of reprisals against we "infidels" begin to flow through the Arab media en masse, I'll know we are on the right track.

This belief did not come about easily. I am not a huge fan of iron fisted justice, not because those on the receiving end may be upset, but because that use of force can sometimes lead to a worse problem; a military too strong to be stopped from taking control. The world over, there are many examples of the military staging coups and seizing power from the citizens (which is what happens when the military runs a country; the people's voice is no longer heard).

I have no such fears with our forces in Iraq. They have shown a measure of discipline and self-control that one cannot dismiss. The prison guards let their discipline slip with predictably horrible results, but Fallujah could have easily been removed from the world's maps if we decided that was necessary. Yet there it sits, awaiting the first joint patrols of American Marines and Iraqi forces. Unfortunately, I do not believe these joint patrols will solve anything. We do need to get the Iraqi forces involved, but I feel this is the wrong time.

Now is the time, especially after being re-awakened to the vile nature of our foe, to unleash the strength and fury of the U.S. military against those that would harm us. Allow the Marines to do their job; if a shrine is being used as a bunker, destroy the shrine. I don't care if it was built by Allah himself in whatever year, at this moment in time it is a tool of war being hidden in by cowards who feel we are too weak to come and get them in such a structure. Let us prove them wrong. If Sadr will not willingly come forward and turn himself in, it is our obligation to allow our forces to conduct operations and bring him in, dead or alive.

We can allow our forces this type of leeway because we know once the fighting is over, there will be no power grab by the military, no subjugation of the populace, no atrocities committed simply because they can be committed. As proof of this reality, I simply point to the vast U.S. nuclear warhead stockpiles...all present and accounted for.

The cacophony of condemnations, grievances, and calls for revenge will eventually cease once it is shown that all of these things do not bring about a cessation in our efforts, but an even swifter justice to those deserving of it.

And, at some time years from now, they'll like us because we won.