America is not `War Weary' but Political Climate Weary

An observation came to mind listening to the Mark Davis show this morning with the forthcoming movie on 9/11 about Flight 93 being discussed. The drama and impact of the movie was mentioned with much speculation about what angst or other emotions it might release or rekindle regarding 9/11 and the War on Terror (as it is called). It was said that "many need to be reminded of WHY". The question was specifically asked "what impact on war-weary Americans will this reminder of what we fight for have?".

I submit that as pretty much any casual conversation among rank-and-file Americans - those in the "real" jobs and day-to-day world - will show, is that America is NOT in fact "war-weary" but weary of the poisonous and vitriolic political climate when a united front against an implacable enemy should be being presented. Nor in these conversations is the easiest path, of simply blaming the war critics and naysayers, always taken. The "reflexive opposition", particularly the "blame America-first" crowd, as it sometimes is called, DO bear a heavy burden. But equally heavy a burden, and heard with increasing frustration, is that born by the administration for failure to provide coherent and consistent answers, and proper transparency, to its overall war strategy. It still seems completely clueless that even many of the Iraq War supporters find the 1-to-1 connection to 9/11 as a justification a bit of a stretch.

This appears especially so in the face of otherwise lackluster approach on matters of border security and appointing strong, firm hands to handle the departments, or to supervise things like the treatment of the prisoners, and last, but never least, to present a compelling and honest case to the public by whatever media is willing.

In short, the `war-weariness' has more to do with the senseless lack of clear direction and absence of feeling of `we know what we are doing'. Its hard to avoid an impression that our response to any given setback or crisis in the war has been purely reactive, and a baffling tendency to never re-evaluate an initial decision or own up to it. This lack of transparency is what then in turn unsettles as reports of corruption, abuse of power, debates whether there is a civil-war or not, etc, grow. And through it all, the Republicans and Democrats can only dance and point fingers at one another with partisan glee at another "got you" successfully pulled off.

Partisanship has always existed, but there seems something particularly craven about it now, in the midst of a war with such reputed `high stakes'. It is the `always moving goal posts' and `never answering candidly when first asked' aspect of the Public Relations which is eroding confidence. Two thousand soldiers have been lost, and contrary to the media's way of couching that, that is a tragic, but indeed small price to pay for a high-stakes war. For WW II stakes, even more could and probably must be, paid. But it is too great a price to pay for an elaborate game of political C.Y.A. and lack of candor. If mistakes have been made, and the Secretary of State's speech the other day finally conceded this, then start fixing them by repenting of what doesn't work, and look at options that probably do, like massive increase in firepower, or more severe covert means. At the same time as owning any mistakes, confront head-on the craven naysayers who criticize, but offer no alternative to fighting the War on Terror but apparent submission and apathy. It is this dichotomy of witlessness from both parties that is the real source of ennui.

Meanwhile, the American people grown increasingly sullen and bitter over the absolute absence of World War II clarity of thought in a war that the government keeps wanting us to believe has stakes as high as the confrontation with Fascism. Many of us need no "reminder" of 9/11, and instead still wait to see truly decisive and engaged response to its deeper sources. If a certain ennui has set in, it is one of resignation -- not lack of an abiding desire to still see Islamofascism direly punished for 9/11 or righteous anger, but a growing sense of despair at our politicians thinking for once of the bigger picture and long range result.

If they want that climate of weariness and despair dispersed, and to revive one of "Can Do!" and "We Are With You!" it would help alot if Washington and the press would start acting the part if stakes are as high as they say.

- Anthony