George W’s War
No one likes war. War is a horrific affair, bloody and expensive. Sending
our men and women into battle to perhaps die or be maimed is an
unconscionable thought. Yet some wars need to be waged, and someone needs
to lead. The citizenry and Congress are often ambivalent or largely opposed
to any given war. It’s up to our leader to convince them. That’s one of
the reasons we call the leader “Commander in Chief.” George W.’s war was no
different.
There was lots of resistance to it. Many in Congress were vehemently
against the idea. The Commander in Chief had to lobby for legislative
approval. Along with supporters, George W. used the force of his
convictions, the power of his title and every ounce of moral persuasion he
could muster to rally support. He had to assure Congress and the public
that the war was morally justified, winnable and affordable. Congress
eventually came around and voted overwhelmingly to wage war.
George W. then lobbied foreign governments for support. But in the end, only
one European nation helped us. The rest of the world sat on its hands and
watched. After a few quick victories, things started to go bad. There were
many dark days when all the news was discouraging. Casualties began to
mount. It became obvious that our forces were too small. Congress began to
drag its feet about funding the effort. Many who had voted to support the
war just a few years earlier were beginning to speak against it and accuse
the Commander in Chief of misleading them. Many critics began to call him
incompetent, an idiot and even a liar. Journalists joined the negative
chorus with a vengeance. As the war entered its fourth year, the public
began to grow weary of the conflict and the casualties. George W.’s
popularity plummeted. Yet through it all, he stood firm, supporting the
troops and endorsing the struggle. Without his unwavering support, the war
would have surely ended, then and there, in overwhelming and total defeat.
At this darkest of times, he began to make some changes. More troops were
added and trained. Some advisers were shuffled, and new generals installed.
Then, unexpectedly and gradually, things began to improve. Now it was the
enemy that appeared to be growing weary of the lengthy conflict and losing
support. Victories began to come, and hope returned. Many critics in
Congress and the press said the improvements were just George W.’s good
luck. The progress, they said, would be temporary. He knew, however, that
in warfare good fortune counts. Then, in the unlikeliest of circumstances
and perhaps the most historic example of military luck, the enemy blundered
and was resoundingly defeated. After six long years of war, the Commander
in Chief basked in a most hard-fought victory.
So on that historic day, Oct. 19, 1781, in a place called Yorktown, a
satisfied George W.ashington sat upon his beautiful white horse and accepted
the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, effectively ending the Revolutionary War.
~~
Dr Bob Griffin, www.grif.net
“Jesus knows me, this I love”