No “boots on the ground”
The Dec. 15 Republican presidential debate, which, as a Democrat, I admit I watched on CNN for pure entertainment, had two areas that upset me the most. As a veteran of the Vietnam War, I believe I have some validity to my positions.
First, too often I heard these mainly young candidates speak of the United States needing “more boots on the ground” in the Middle East to fight ISIS. They should lead the way there. They should go there and fight. Have they not learned lessons from Vietnam? Do they know the horrors of combat, let alone the grotesque mind of ISIS?
Second, too many times these candidates loosely used the term “carpet bombing.” Have they learned or studied the Vietnam War or even World War II? The carpet bombing of cities? The carpet bombing of entire communities of peoples? Have they no sense? Have they no decency?
I encourage everyone to watch the CNN special “Blindsided,” which is about ISIS, before suggesting the United States should put “more boots on the ground.”
The Rev. Joseph S. Lewandowski (ret.)
Washington