Training Armies for War

Training Armies for Wars
I enjoyed “Revenge of the Sith” despite its many flaws.  I thought of it while listening to President Bush’s speech this morning on the “Strategy to win in Iraq.”  It seemed the only thing he said was that we are training the Iraqi army.   They have new equipment, training, facilities etc.  He went on in great detail for about 20 minutes.  I didn’t like it.  It seems we are training them to fight but I don’t know what else they are learning.

The clones were the perfect army.  Obedient, well trained, well equipped.  Well led -until they obeyed the order to kill their generals.  Not the sort of thing we need in Iraq, or anywhere in the world.  Shouldn’t we give the Iraqis other sorts of training?  I propose giving them training that will help them live better and know when to fight and how to identify enemies.  (Not that most Americans get this in high school anymore)  Courses  on Western Civilization (not from university professors but from people like Victor Davis Hanson), Biblical studies and values, American history including Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights etc.  This will help them create their own peace and prosperity.

We have been “at war” with Iraq since 1991.   After so long I still don’t like the idea of 300 Iraqi battalions, especially because we trained them.  We should declare war on a terrorist or terrorist group (Zarquawi, Al-Qaida whatever) and then it would make sense to supply and train our allies in that war, hopefully the Iraqi people.  Then when the enemy is dead we can leave.