The men on the ground knew nothing of this. They cannot be faulted personally, as individuals, as men in combat, for not having the benefit of hindsight beforehand.
As I said, the article is petty Monday afternoon quarterbacking. It's all so simple afterwards when the results are in and the facts are clear. But life isn't like that, and war certainly isn't.
The men who went in, yes, I respect them. The men who planned the operation, yes, I respect them. This was not a term paper they were writing. This was a potentially life and death situation. They would have been irresponsible to view it as anything less. If they had failed, if circumstances had been different, they would have been crucified for failing, by the same people who now want to crucify them for succeeding.
This whole attitude that wants to slight the purpose and the dedication of the men personally involved in this effort is petty, carping bullshit. |
