How About an Answer Now

Dear President Obama,

General Stanley McChrystal provided you with a report that details his plan for victory on 30 August of this year. That is 58 days ago. I don’t think I should have to remind you that this is your general, fighting the war that you said was essential, executing your plan, that has been approved you your (our) allies in NATO. Let’s get the ridiculous out of the way first – it doesn’t matter what kind of government is the titular head of Afghanistan – we still have tens of thousands of American and allied troops fighting in Afghanistan – they deserve an answer now. We deserve an answer now. Fifty-eight days – imagine if you were over there at risk each and every day – what would you think about the guy who was waffling about making a decision?

I applauded your decision to reinforce Afghanistan in the infancy of your Presidency. You need to follow through now and support that decision. What you should learn from the Viet Nam experience is that incrementally increasing troop strength is wrong. A massive infusion of combat power into the theater will make a decisive difference as it did in Iraq. Even though you are an Iraq success denier, you should be able to see that.

Your job description is in Article II of the United States Constitution. Section 1 deals entirely with the election process. Section 2 begins the specific areas where you are authorized and directed to focus your efforts. The very first thing is your position as Commander-in-Chief. It is first for a reason – Commander-in-Chief was placed first intentionally by the Founding Fathers - because it is the most important. You will note that nowhere among your duties is it mentioned that you should save businesses, stimulate the economy, change the health care system, chase the Olympics, or discourage the use of fossil fuels.

Be a Commander-in-Chief and win the war in Afghanistan. Democrats always want to be in charge, they just don’t want to be responsible for the results – well you are responsible now Mr. President. The troops deserve your very best effort every moment of every day. Don’t get distracted by things that are not in your purview to address.

Best Regards,