Exit Strategy from Iraq and Afghanistan

Reading an editorial this morning I was amused to find the writer pontificating the reason the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor was they felt threatened by us. One problem with their hypothesis, we were not in their country or even remotely close. You see, the United States was still under the Monroe doctrine. This doctrine basically stated, if it didn't happen in our hemisphere, we did not get involved. At the time, the US actually did a remarkably good job of this. We are now fighting a war on two separate fronts consisting of enemies who have been fighting everyone since first recorded history.

These are sad, but true facts. A further sad, but true fact, our senior military leadership cannot divine a good exit strategy from either country. As a retiree from our military services, I have some ideas which I think my brethren in arms can get behind.

First, we get alternative energy on line in this country Immediately. This solves a looming problem, our dependence on foreign oil, and allows us to cut the Middle East loose.

Second, by getting alternative energy on line, we put more of our people back to work and bring the jobs back home.

Third, we adapt a modified Monroe doctrine. The twist, we still trade and do business with everyone except the Middle East. Any of the people from the Middle East studying in our military schools will be sent home immediately after we revoke their visas. If you are attempting to gain entry to this country by commercial airline, you will be detained as soon as you land and sent to Guantanamo Bay. No, it will not be closed, it will remain open to house the detained terrorists. Due process? No problem, they are not American citizens; therefore, civil rights do not extend to them. As long as they have three hots and a cot, clothing, and a roof over their head, we have taken care of them accordingly. Trying to fly one of your jets into our country? No problem, our military folks can always use air to air combat training.

America's dependence on foreign oil? We have the alternative energy on line; therefore, we are no longer supporting the Middle East, nor do we require their oil.

Fourth, car manufacturers bring the fuel efficiency we are capable of out in the 2011 cars and those of us with older model cars modify them to run on gasohol. This puts the farmers back to work planting and harvesting corn as well as many of our folks gainfully employed working the fields or at the distillery making gasohol.

Fifth, pull the troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan. You're worried about the condition of the country? They've done most of the damage themselves, let them fix their own mess. Our troops have rebuilt plenty only to have them blow things back up.

Both countries have attacked the US. Yes, we should have solved the problem prior to 1991; however, the UN said no. We have had other opportunities; however, the sitting president either didn't see a problem or chose to turn the other cheek. We are not going to make progress in either country, we will never stop the fighting in any of the Middle Eastern countries, and the only solution this airman sees is, let them kill themselves. If they come to this side of the world again, we carry out either shooting them out of the sky or incarcerating them. Cold, yes. Analytical, absolutely. Is it a workable plan? I like to think so. Simplistic? Sometimes those are the best solutions.