Lessons from Ft. Hood

When George Bush declared his "War on Terror," I knew, even then, that something about it didn't quite make sense. It was the way in which his administration approached the terrorist attacks that really struck me as odd. He proclaimed, "We will make no distinction between those who harbor terrorists and the actual terrorists." To me, that didn't make any sense. Eight years later, we are still in Afganistan and Iraq. It still makes no sense to me how those who harbor terrorists are equally at fault as the actual terrorists. Harboring a terrorist could easily be done, considering that we ourselves have harbored terrorists here in the United States. Most of us remember Timothy Mcvey. The most recent Ft. Hood shootings could also serve as a reminder that this so called "War on Terror" has many fronts.
Likewise, the urgency should be on the actual terrorists, considering they could use their freedom to attack us again. So while the Bush administration had been so busy tracking down and attacking Iraq and Afghanistan, the actual terrorists that are not tied to a particular country, are free to plan and execute another attack. It is actually just common sense.
The Right jumped on the Ft. Hood murders and labeled it as Terrorism right away, if for no other reason than political manuevering.
Dana Perino, former Whitehouse spokeswoman, went on Hannity's America and proclaimed that Ft. Hood was definately a terrorist attack, and the our country was not attacked during Bush's Administration. Not only is this laughable, it is just wrong. I wonder is she has ever heard of 9/11. The point I am trying to make is that the Right wants to use Ft. Hood to fuel more support for this very elusive "War on Terror." This War has so many fronts that it doesn't have a clear front. We can't successfully attack and accomplish our goals. When the terrorists see us coming, they can move. Move to Pakistan, or any other neighboring country and continue their efforts. Plus, our continued occupation in these countries further fuels insurgency.
I want our troops home. Afghanistan is at risk of becoming another Vietnam. I hope Obama will follow what he knows is true. Bush's Wars were unjust and the absolute wrong approach to fighting terror. This are small factions of people, not particular countries. Yet civilians lose their lives daily in this misguided effort. Plus, we have lost thousands of American lives. These men and women come home in body bags. The Bush Administration would not allow the media access to the coffins draped with our flag. When i seen it for the first time i cried my eyes out.
We need our troops home so we can start the healing process. We need to end this war. We need to reestablish American on the World stage as a just actor. Likewise, we need to take the resources being squandered in these wars and focus on our economy. The U.S. is losing respect and spawning hate at the same time. We have alot of work to do, so let's get to it.