Seeing the Light

I note with some great pleasure this morning that President Barack Obama is seeking to block the release of photos taken at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility. He is afraid, and rightly so, that the photos may create increased anti-American feeling in the world, and thus put Americans in general and American servicemen and women in more jeopardy than they may currently face.

Well, good for you, Mr. President. I hope this serves as another lesson in thinking before acting. When you become the leader of the United States you need to consider the practical aspects of military policy more than the geopolitical ramifications. While it is true that we ought to consider the feelings of the rest of the world and deal with other nations honestly and reasonably, the bottom line is protection of the United States from aggression. Especially as the sort of threats we face these days are far more hidden and far less obvious than in the past (Nazi Germany didn't have to be found cowering in the mountains of Afghanistan) it is imperative that we take the initiative and combat those threats in the way best suited to save American lives. For like it or not, other countries, we're the primary target, by the virtue of our position in the world. It is the duty of our leaders to put our protection first.

We may well debate the particulars of how we approach that duty, and, again, we need to be open to the input of our allied nations in seeking the best manner in dealing with the terrorists. This mean supporting our troops, even sheltering them as need be.

Everyone else needs to realize certain things too: if all of our actions are put in a storefront window then the enemy knows what we know and can change directions. Some things have to remain our little secrets.

I do hope this is lesson learned, Mr. President. I very much hope so.