straight talk

Pakistan, Ally or Foe - ordered to open fire on US troops!



Posted: Thursday, September 11, 2008

by

Look the World understands there are terror cells operating inside Pakistan border area. It doesn't take much brain power to know these terror cells operate throughout the nation freely and at will. The killing of a candidate for office should awaken all, as does the bombings and other terror acts carried out daily. So just what does this say about this nations stability and viability in the world? it says WARNING!

Now our own military says they are not sure they are winning in Afghanistan. They said it not I. Seven years later and still not sure? 2000 plus dead and still not sure. Why, well the reason will smack you in the face. They do not have enough boots on the ground. It was that way before the surge in Iraq and it is now in Afghanistan. It is that simple. The surge was no brain storm it was the only thing they could do and they even did that bare bones. In Afghanistan they cannot cross the border in force into Pakistan and the enemy can strike at will and they cannot hold and secure the ground won. Yes and even with NATO troops they have insufficient manpower. Fact, you can't win a war with the view at 50,000 feet.

Now while the Pakistan government says they are "fighting" terror aggressively are we all children? It is a series of negotiate, compromise and look the other way or ignore. Now in my opinion this nation is playing their ACE card the bomb. It is that simple. Otherwise we would be in those regions on more then one trip, but consistently until we rooted out the terrorists. Of course it is our deepest concern that this bomb will fall into the wrong hands and it seems this government uses that as the lever. Well why shouldn't we or any Western nation not be concerned?That could happen at any moment as the circumstances are today. Hey they just blew up a major military depot. Is the average Pakistani concerned, or do a significant number actually agree with these terror cells and condone their activity? I venture to say a considerable number condone and therein is the problem. Frankly it is a problem that if decisive action were taken could lead to civil war because it is a nation divided no matter how you slice the bread. It is 1/2 old culture and values and 1/2 modern culture and values. Which way will it go is the question at hand?

Now from moral perspective, if you harbor a murdered you are in effect an accomplice. If you have the military might you claim to have then you are obligated by international norms to go in and root these criminals out. It is that simple. Yet do they really have the might? That is conventional might? Quite frankly no and the World and their enemy India knows it. Neither do, yet they posture as such. Yes non conventional maybe because they have the bomb and can deliver it, but actual on the ground forces, just numbers. So perhaps that is why nothing is ever done not only for the sake of the world, but for your very own, their posterity and for the General Welfare of all their citizens?

It is evident this is a leaderless nation driven by factions. Like Lebanon and any other nation in that area it can turn overnight into anything from absolute friend to outright foe. It is evident that while many people in the nation are average and decent they have no say or power. They ride with fear that the extremists generate, too afraid to take any action and knowing only conflict will solve it. Like a cyst you must remove it before it kills. Sad, but they have allowed it to fester until it impacts everyone.

In the tribal regions the rule of the gun and clan. In the cities a hint of western culture, archaic at best, but trying to fit into the Global Market. Yet, with that in mind it is not unreasonable to wonder who has control of the military, the government, or the generals? Who is loyal to the nation or not? No one really knows.

So let me ask you this? What difference if Pakistan, our partner, were to allow and actually provide their own advisers to accompany us into these "lawless" regions where there is in effect a pseudo government in place? Why have they not done that or do they and why not say it outright? Is it for the sake of domestic tranquility? Are they allowing it secretly but because of instability taking a hard stance toward our incursion?They talk of their sovereignty and that is true but they are accomplices to death and they allow the invasion of another sovereign nation from their borders and then provide a sanctuary when these raiders return. One senses severe hypocrisy.

The real truth is the national government is powerless to do anything because of this great division. The so called decent people live in fear and the military doesn't know who is who? Yes these are our allies in the new global market arena. My God, what does that say?

Now it is really time Pakistan and it's people understood they need to define where they stand as a nation. They need to understand the ramifications should any harm come to our shores because of any actions that they allowed to take place. It is that dangerous a world we live in today. They need to recognize they can't have their cake and eat it too. That is their government and their people. It is time they took a stand.

So there is no reason why the Pakistani Army and NATO troops together cannot sweep the area's that harbor these criminals once and for all? Establish Pakistani rule of law and shift the balance to the government. The Pakistan army just won a victory but they cannot do it alone, fact. If we cannot do what is required this war will rage on and on. It will continue as it is now and it will encumber our forces and our dollars for decades to come. It is that simple. Hey these people have been fighting each other for thousands of years. It is a way of life for them. Why is it so hard for our so called intelligent leaders to understand? To make change you need to empower those who want change to be in office, not the same old Good old boys who cause the problems, change them all.

So if their answer is no, then our answer should be, forget about this new global order you wish to become part of. You are either with us or against. If against we should immediately pull out our forces and provide them only aide. Let them clean up themselves. If they refuse shut down economic and international help at every level and leave them out of the new Global system entirely. Hey their choice not ours. You are either part of the community or not.

So we are forced to play game as they play it, or we can take control. Will Russia step in to fill the void, certainly, but you know something just who the hell is really our friends and will money buy loyalty and friendship? Are you that naive? No money is a tool for good or bad. Once again their choice. Yes and is it better to know your real enemy then to believe in a false sense of security.

I for one am of the opinion Pakistan needs to get off the pot. I realize it must be done gingerly but they can take actions now in unison with us that sends a clear message to the World they want to be part of it and not part of it's destruction. No not something here or there a commitment. Perhaps those decent people of Pakistan need to speak up as to where they want to be in the future? That is the real question here.

PS: September 16, 2008 Pakistan troops ordered to open fire on US troops making across the border raids. That my friends tells you about the stability there doesn't it?

Robert T. Melaccio Sr. 2008 Copyright 2008 Robert Melaccio Sr.



Robert Melaccio Sr. has worked in the computer industry for 40 plus years in a diversified business and managerial environments. He enjoys freelance writing, giving seminars for young adults and teen groups as well as being an accomplished award winning poet of published poetry. He has worked teaching and as a youth minister. He is married and has three children and three grandchildren.

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