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 why we call the leader our 'Commander in Chief.'



It's the same scenario in George W.'s war. 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.



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. 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. 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. Then,
in the unlikeliest of circumstances and perhaps the most historic
example of military luck, the enemy blundered and was resoundingly defeated.