Home
Search
........................................
Nichols Notes
Subscription
E-Mail Subscription Issues
Archives
........................................
Larry Nichols Live
........................................
About Larry
........................................
Contact Information
........................................
Internet TV
........................................

Unbelievable Automobile Prices!

ALL IS FAIR IN WAR

The month of April has been incredibly costly for our coalition in Iraq. As of this writing 129 soldiers have lost their lives, making this the most costly month since the beginning of the war. This increased cost will not bode well for President Bush as he enters his 2004 reelection bid. President Bush can expect the Democrats to use the rising death toll against him in the coming election. However, the way they will use the rising loss of our soldiers will not be the way most believe, it will happen.

NOTICE

Before you read this article, I would strongly suggest that you go back and read Nichols Notes, Volume 1, Issue 19, which came out on August 23, 2003. It can be found in our archives.

This will give you a heads-up on predictions and suggestions as to what had to be done if we are to prevail, with minimal cost in lives, in the Iraq conflict. What makes this article important is that if you have been reading or listening to the news lately that is exactly what is happening in Iraq today. Our marine commanders are entering into agreements with former Saddam Hussein-era Generals to handle security in Iraq.

Another little bit of information that I think is very note worthy to all horse racing fans is in this years Kentucky Derby race there are no Saudi Nation horses entered into this very prestigious horse race. Further it has been determined that there are not even any of their horses stabled or on the grounds. The fact being that they do not have any horses entered is a fact. It is not meant to scare anyone. It is only meant to say that we need to read all of the signs and hope our government is alert and paying attention to these facts and unusual events.

ALL IS FAIR IN WAR

The month of April has been incredibly costly for our coalition in Iraq. As of this writing 129 soldiers have lost their lives, making this the most costly month since the beginning of the war. This increased cost will not bode well for President Bush as he enters his 2004 reelection bid.

President Bush can expect the Democrats to use the rising death toll against him in the coming election. However, the way they will use the rising loss of our soldiers will not be the way most believe, it will happen.

President Bush and his administration had better prepare for a very unique strategy from the Democrats. Conventional thinking would be, that the Democrats would attack the President on the fact that the increased loss of life is the direct result of his mismanaging the war for the peace and since the cost of the war is simply becoming too high that President Bush should be defeated and the Democrats, if elected, would stop the increased loss of life by involving the U.N. and thereby lessen the load on America.

The problem for the Bush administration is the fact that the Democrats are not going to use this approach. Unfortunately the Democrats are going to use a more sneaky strategy in an effort to box the President in and guarantee his defeat in November. This sneak attack is going to come by the Democrats taking a more hawkish approach to the war and insisting that we increase our troop strength by large numbers. The reality of such a move will force the President to have to bring forth and reinstate the draft, knowing of course that if President Bush were to have to reinstate the draft prior to the November election that he would definitely loose his reelection bid.

In case you are wondering how many troops we really need on the ground in Iraq to insure a victory for the war for the peace, the number would be somewhere around four hundred thousand more soldiers in that country. For us to field a half of million soldiers in that country would create two untenable situations. One would be that, that many soldiers in that country would increase the resentment from the people of Iraq. The second problem is that we don't have enough soldiers that we can shift to that region without straining our force strength in the rest of the world.

To meet such a commitment would force our military to reinstate the draft. So, now you know the Democrats plan. It is up to all of us to spread the word and force them to stop playing politics in the already highly charged and dangerous situation in Iraq. Do not doubt that the situation in Iraq is very problematic for our military planners and the administration. All involved are doing the very best that they can with what they were left with after eight years of the Clinton administration that loathed the military.

Every soldier's life is precious and this administration is using everything they can to minimize the loss of life from both sides in Iraq. Our troops are in the field and are in harms way, but I can tell you that we all can take great pride in the conduct of our soldiers as well as those charged with the duty of exacting and planning this war.

Stay the course, President Bush and do not allow the Democrats or anyone else, to increase the risk to our soldiers and the mission that they are dedicated to carrying out for all of us.

To the Democrats, don't use the lives of our soldiers and all the others in our coalition for political gain. We are all watching you and any strategy that could hurt our soldiers will surely cost you in the end. That I promise.

Now, as to the war in Iraq, if you read last week's article, I tried to give you some concept as to the situation we have in that country. Since that article, our soldiers are continuing to surround and deal with the touchy situations in Fallujah and Najaf, not to mention the other regions in that country. Once again, you are witnessing incredible resolve, restraint and courage by our troops. The outcome of the situation there is still very tenacious and challenging.

President Bush, as I recommended in the last article, a very doable strategy of using a small group of Iraqis to attack the insurgents from the rear would be the best possible plan, understanding, of course, that finding such a small group of dedicated Iraqis may be hard to do.

May I make an additional suggestion? In an earlier article in Nichols Notes I talked about the advantage of using mercenaries as a viable option to fight the unorthodox tactics of the insurgents by a force that would not be restricted in the rules of engagement that our forces must honor. It is now time to consider this option in earnest. A force of a few hundred well armed and strategically placed mercenaries could provide a very viable counter offensive against those that are presently battling our soldiers.

Now I know, how such a move, at first glance seems impossible because the media and enemies of this war would have a field day over such a move.

I would suggest, however, that careful consideration be given to how we are being chastised presently. There is only one way to silence those that are attacking our efforts in Iraq, and that is, as it has been since the first soldier set foot in that country. TOTAL VICTORY.

Mr. President, we are in a war, unique to other wars throughout history. Fighting terrorists is not like fighting an enemy in the traditional way. Using soldiers bound by rules of engagement against enemy combatants that have no rules and are willing to kill innocent citizens and then blend in to the population creates a distinct disadvantage. When you add the fact that they use their religion and instant global media to show their actions the problem is magnified.

The time has come for us to look at a viable option that will eliminate the advantage given to our enemies. As I pointed out in last weeks article, small bands of terrorists are not capable of fighting a two dimensional war. They are also, not capable of fighting against an army capable of matching and bettering their tactics. They will not be able to deal tactically against a force that can fight them on their level.

If we were able to take the gloves off of our soldiers, I assure you, things in Iraq would start getting better. Unfortunately, the rules will not permit our soldiers to fight this way, but we can put an army on the ground in Iraq that can meet the enemy and defeat them by fighting them at their level.

Another side benefit to such a strategy would be a savings in addition to our soldier's lives, of money. Mercenaries get paid well for what they do. The bottom line is that the use of mercenaries would provide a financial savings by paying a few hundred well trained mercenaries, rather than having to continually keep tens of thousands of coalition forces in the field. Additionally, mercenaries would shorten the duration of hostilities in that region, providing for an overall savings for the American people.

Many of you reading this are thinking that this act of paying and using mercenaries is an unconscionable act. Some of you can not imagine this country supporting or participating in this type of plan. But to all of you, I simply ask that you understand and remember that we didn't start this war of terrorism.

We did not make the rules, but we are in the unenviable position of having to fight against an enemy, that left unchecked, will strike at innocent people throughout the world given the fact that they know we will not be able to do to them what they will do to us.

In the days to come they will use this advantage more and more and will continue to have what they consider success because they know that we will never be able to meet their tactics in war.

Mr. President and every one reading this article remember this is war. As has been said, over and over throughout the ages," all is fair in war". It is time that we in America, along with all so called civilized people of the world start to level the playing field and stop terrorism now and forever. It will work.

For all the bad that will be said, by those that think this approach too unworthy to even consider, to you I would say. Think about the lives that can be saved in Iraq today and all around the world in days to come. Terrorism, as an approach to resolving issues, must be stopped now and paying mercenaries to stop terrorists is a way to let those that would conduct terrorist acts know that it is over now and forever.

You know, as a civilian, I have always had a very negative opinion about mercenaries. I looked at mercenaries as nothing more than "killers for hire", "hit men", "assassins", people of low morals, no loyalty to any country, not even their own, people of little or no integrity, and, a person who would serve any employer for wages or perhaps other sordid advantages.

However, I must admit that I have changed my opinion. I am not responsible for the decisions that mercenaries make. They have to take that up with God. But when I think about this situation and the loss of lives, as well as the life-altering injuries our soldiers are experiencing, in addition to the loss of life to Iraqi men, women and children, I believe that this must be done. And let's not forget the expense of this war, and the terrible drain on the American economy. So my decision is... bring on the mercenaries!


See You Next Week and May God Bless,

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

The right attitude is the current that determines our dreams and shape our lives which flows from the attitude we nurture every day.