Learning Lessons

Wednesday, we remember the events of that day from twelve years ago and all the days that followed. Certainly, it will never be a day that we celebrate, since like Pearl Harbor Day, it is a day of great tragedy for Americans and foreigners alike.

Almost 3,000 people died that day and countless more have died from the after-effects of the buildings coming down, from cancer, from injuries suffered, from suicide, from war. Sadly, the number of suicides is not reported, and yet, just like war, people can be deeply affected by the loss of a friend or loved one.

In addition, Wednesday is the first anniversary of the attack on our Consulate in Benghazi and the horrible deaths of four brave, but defenseless Americans.

Due to the horrible events of that day, we will soon be approaching our twelfth anniversary of our attack on Afghanistan, which was sold to us as a "just" or "revenge" war to get those responsible for that attack. But on May 1, 2011, we achieved our objective by capturing and killing Osama bin Laden.

So why are we still there?

Americans are weary of this war, much like they were with our questionable involvement in Iraq. After all, Senator Obama won election as President Obama on a promise to get us out of there, didn't he? And although, ultimately, we were kicked out since there is no Status of Forces agreement, and Iraq is now an ally of Iran, what lesson did we learn from that war?

Obviously, nothing.

We are about to enter another war in a Muslim country, which if we review our last three actions, it's two losses and so far, one no-decision. Don't forget, that since Ambassador Chris Stevens and his team were assassinated by Libyan rebels (?), after our air power helped them overthrow Khaddafi, that also is a huge loss. Entering Syria at this juncture only blows the fires of Islamic hatred of the "Great Crusader" hotter than ever.

Perhaps, it is finally time to let someone else deal with the issues of Islamic rantings. Germany, Britain, France and the rest of the EU don't want to. Even Russia is taking a backseat, probably due to the high number of Muslims who live close to the former Soviet Muslim republics.

Bush 41 and Bush 43 had support from many countries for the actions they took in the Middle East. Clinton had the support of the EU in his actions in  Kosovo.

President Obama  does not have the support of the EU or the UN. He doesn't have the support of the Arab League. And although NATO gives tepid support, remember that the US is the major military player in that organization.

So, to sum up. In order to properly pay homage to those who have died since September 11, 2001, whether at the sites, in the planes, in battle or due to neglected physical or mental illnesses, or even those injured in all the wars since then, we need to make certain we don't unnecessarily put our men and women into harms way. But, on this anniversary, it appears our government once again will.

President Obama appears to be blinded by his belief that he is right on this issue, and of course, his key advisors are towing the message for him. But as with most decisions made by him since 2009, this, too, is the wrong way to go.

It's time for the Congress to listen to its employer, the American people, and vote "NO" on his request to go to war again. We are tired of seeing our sons and daughters be placed in harm's way or die for no real purpose that directly affects our national security.

So, Mr President, please learn the lessons of the last twelve years and walk away from your incorrect belief that Americans "must teach" Assad a lesson. Or you, sir, will show the world you learned nothing.