A few related thoughts on the story of the week,
In a world in which war is conducted from office chairs, a lot of humility is required. A lot of humility. I would say that from what I know, that President Obama showed good judgement on the lead up to the operation. This photo seems to indicate that the President knew the gravity of the orders he gave. Good.
I do worry, however, as we now target Qaddafi in Libya as well, that office chair warfare is just too easy. Some of the post-facto comments by Obama aides tend to reinforce my concerns. Even if you are sitting in the Sit room at the White House, orders and operations such as these kill people. Sometimes they are the intended target, such as Osama. Other times it is the grand-children of the intended target. Same orders, different outcomes. Such things should never be taken lightly, especially by those in air-conditioned offices.
There is a scene from the movie Patriot Games in which special-ops personnel are taking out a suspected terrorist camp on Jack Ryan’s say so. The reality of it can be seen on Harrison Ford’s face when he looks at the cavalier attitude of an office chair warrior. This is the scene that came to mind as I heard the details of the raid.
May we always understand what it is we are doing.
May 3, 2011 at 6:17 am
And Jesus wept…
May 3, 2011 at 1:35 pm
We do have a right to defend ourselves and a duty to destroy evil. Any warfare, even spiritual ones, will have casualties. May our enemies repent and gain God's forgiveness. But to protect the weak, the good and the innocent, we need to fight the good fight. Anything else will be cowardice, a lack of fortitude.
May 3, 2011 at 4:15 pm
I think it bears pointing out that, at least in OBL's situation, he got how he gave. He sat in his cave or compound or whatever and watched as his minions carried out an attack on his behalf against the victims in the World Trade Center. I'm not going to worry that when Justice came for him, it was monitored remotely by commanders in safe locations.
May 3, 2011 at 9:57 pm
This is the same thinking we need to have on the collateral damage done in the act of abortion. Out of sight, out of mind. 3800 deaths a day in the USA.
May 3, 2011 at 10:18 pm
Than you Rick: Again you have said what needs to be said. War is hell. God is in charge and each and every human being is in the care of a provident God. God said to the prophet, Jonah, who was angry because God did not destroy Nineveh. "And I should not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons, who cannot distinguish their right hand from their left, not to mention the many cattle?"
May 4, 2011 at 3:36 am
What got me most about the photo is the look on most of their faces. It was like they finally were getting the reality that is our nation's battles. Our military is not to be used for political gain or virtual chess pieces on a board. When supported by our prayers, they are the greatest human safeguard against the evils of this world and heroes who do what most of us cannot. May God bless them!