Is the military really capable of and should they ever be used for anything other than defending our shores or beating the snot out of another army? Is that why we've seen so many military failures in places like Somalia, Iraq and Vietnam because we are tasking them with an assignment that they were not designed to do and with Rules of Engagement that guarantee failure?

 

 

I think you've summarized the problem of trying to use the military to solve a political problem. Our military is great at beating the snot out of another army and defending our shores, and poor at convincing people to think differently.

Gates: Iraq resolution 'emboldens' enemy:

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070126/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq