War: politicized

The campaign headlines today revolved a good deal around the publicity battle that John McCain and “Barry” Obama are waging. With Obama's high-publicity trip to the Middle East, McCain has had to fight to retain a place in the news. I don't know that I've expressed it here before, but I am often frustrated by the way in which the Global War on Terror has been reduced to a political byline, useful for headlines and posturing, but not taken seriously. Of course, this happens to a lot of issues during campaigns, but to me, GWOT is so much more important that the usual planks of taxes, energy, healthcare, etc.---it is a battle for American safety and world peace against Islamic terrorism. This is not 4-dollars-a-gallon that were talking about, it's an enemy wants every American dead! And even worse, the politicization of the issue is demeaning to the service and sacrifice of thousands of American servicemen. This is what really angers me. Our guys---my future brothers in arms---are fighting and dying to protect our freedom, and yet they are reduced to pawns in the political war. And pawns, no less, that one side believes should retreat before a “checkmate” is attained against our enemies abroad! I don't want to say that this diminution of the military effort is intentional in all cases, because it is almost impossible to avoid coming across that way when the discussion of the issue is so frequent. One side of the campaign however (you know which one) could care less about victory or the American serviceman, and is interested only in how to use the war as an occasion of political pandering.

With this in mind, I just want to remind everyone to keep in mind the boots on the ground in this battle. Please pray for their safety and for victory! And remember also that for every Marine, Soldier, Sailor, and Airman playing a role in GWOT, there are family and friends back home who know that any day a chaplain could pay them a dreaded visit. Pray for them too. This post is dedication to two of our warriors: Pete Rensema, U.S.A; and Barrett Craven, U.S.M.C.