Maybe I am stuck in the Viet Nam era, but maybe not. I clearly despise the 60's generation side that beat the draft and got away with it. It is no surprise to me that the draft dodgers and desertion crowd is the same group most willing to give amnesty to the illegal immigrants. I always am suspect of those with no skin in the game.
My position is rather basic. The amount of injuries and deaths from IEDs is unacceptable. The use of IEDs spreads because they are effective, inexpensive, deadly, dramatic and easily copied. Some observations:
1. Increase the size of units whose job it is to clear and secure the roads. If we cannot get enough US troops, then hire the equivalent of the TSA (they are good with blue haired white American grandmothers}. Iraqis could be used to supplement US forces, or mercenaries could be hired.
2. Use and develop 24/7 air and satellite based surveillance of roads cleared of IEDs.
3. Follow the network and source of internet videos of IED explosions. Be inclusive and set off some IEDs in internet cafes and supporting mosques. Flood the Iraqi market with cheap traceable video cameras.
4. I do not care how much it costs. If $10 billion is not enough, spend $20 billion. Have the political courage to raise a tax for the specific purpose. Call it a US IED prevention tax, and tax gasoline or trans-fats for all I care. Get the money for the technology. There has been no political courage in this department by the theorist architects and leadership of this administration, which is largely staffed by people that avoided military service when they had the opportunity and duty to serve.
5. Bob W., keep well.
