Curmudgeon's Corner

Offensive Rules Are Just That!

Posted by Al Campbell on Feb. 17, 2010

Political, Quality of Life, U.S.

The rules of offense that our troops are laboring under today in the ‘Stans are offensive to me; and, I suspect, to the troops although they’ll likely not say anything to that effect.

We have sent them on a mission with their hands effectively tied to keep from alienating people on the ground.

For example, an insurgent can fire multiple rounds from behind a wall at our troops, but if they emerge from behind that wall without a weapon, they are permitted to walk away from the scene.

The troops are taught to examine each situation using these three rules:

• Even if someone has shot in my general direction, am I still in danger?
• Will I make more enemies than I’ll kill by destroying property, or harming innocent civilians?
• What are my other options to resolve this without escalating the violence?

This sounds more like a State Department exercise than a military operation.  This sounds like a military operation that is being conducted with more regard for the enemy than our own troops.  This is the rough equivalent of sending a youngster onto the football field after telling him or her to be careful not to hurt anyone; that doesn’t work accept for the opponent and neither will this.

I am appalled that our young men and women are being placed in such circumstances by the Commander In Chief, President Obama.

I am appalled that there has not been a more vociferous backlash than is so far the case.  Where are the former military types now serving in Congress?  Where are the mothers and fathers whose children are subject to these insane rules of battle?  Both groups ought to be lined up in protest outside the White House.