Right now a soldier is clutching is weapon tight. His heart is racing and pounding in his head. His breaths are quick and ragged, his every muscle taught. Out there the enemy awaits like a beast from some forgotten story, hungry for blood and unforgiving. Everyday he wakes up, puts on his gear, and starts another dance with death. Everyday could be his last and he knows it. In his thoughts he dreams of home, a girlfriend, mothers and fathers. Leaving the gate he silently pays respect to those that left just as he is, but never returned. He remembers friends, brothers, lost to this war that he never asked for and only wants to end. He wants it to end, more then me or you or any protester back home. No one prays for peace more then the one fighting the war. He knows something precious though. In this nightmare opera of blood, light and noise, he has learned a valuable truth. Between wrong and right there is a gray area of fog and smoke, in this place resides those things that must be done.

Is war necessary? We would like to say no. We would like to believe it, we pray for it and yearn for that ideal with all our hearts. In the end though we know that sometimes despite all of our faith and belief there just is no other way. Some people can not be reasoned with. They can not be talked down. They will not submit, they will not stop until all the world is burned and humanity a smoking cinder. It is easy to say turn the other cheek and walk away, but what do you do with those that won't let you walk away, those that come at you no matter what you do. Do you forfeit your life and let them take it and continue on unabated destroying the world and all that is good and right in it. Or do you stand your ground and say here and no farther.

We are at war America. Maybe we didn't start it, or ask for it. Maybe we just wanted to eliminate a threat to our security. It could be said that there were those in power who have used this as a vehicle to pursue their own agendas and goals. It certainly wouldn't be the first time. Let's face it people, at its most basic level all wars are fought for one goal, and that goal is power. Men seek to dominate others, through Ideas and economics when possible and when not through violence and death. Regardless of the reasoning behind or motivations for it. We are at war. This is not about soldiers on some far away field, its about us. As long as men and women from our communities are spilling their blood under the banner of our flag, all of us are at war.Americans are dying and there is no line being drawn between race, or faith.

Today we are at a crossroads in history. What we do now as a nation and people will determine not only the future of our own people but others on the far side of the globe. In Afghanistan the war is escalating. The Taliban has gained control of more then 75% of the country again. They are determined and ruthless in their pursuit of victory. If they win it means only one thing; Death to all that helped us and fought with us over the last eight years. The nation will be covered in a wave of death and retribution that will make genocide seem like an unpleasant memory. Here in America the voices are loud and growing. Bring our boys home, end the war now. In Afghanistan the troops voices are being ignored. Give us what we need to win this they say, let us do our jobs. Strange how in our quest to avoid another Vietnam we are precipitating another two repeats at this very minute.

Our political leaders refuse to allow commanders on the ground the lee-way and freedom to respond to growing threats and modify tactics and strategy to meet that threat. They are denied access to the weapons and tactics that would give them the edge over the enemy they fight. Soldiers on the ground are being ridiculed and blamed for civilian casualties and deaths. Here's an idea that is long over due. Why do we not blame the Taliban who brought this war to the people and continue to use the people as shields for their cowardice. When will these people stand up and shake off the leaches that cling to and oppress them and start fighting for their own freedom?If they expect us to deliver them a new nation then when will we be allowed to do that?

There is only one way to fight a war friends, and that is totally and to the end. War by its nature is a failure of civility and diplomacy. Those prosecuting any campaign have a duty to all involved to use whatever tactics are needed to insure a speedy and quick end to hostilities. Those who hamper the efforts of the fighter and soldier with laws and restrictions only draw out the conflict and increase the casualties. We are in danger of losing this war today because those in power refused to commit to it totally seven years ago. We shifted focus before achieving total victory and failed to accomplish our primary objective. Political pandering and ass-kissing allowed thousands of enemy troops to escape across the borders into Iran and Pakistan, leaving both of those nations to cope with a surge of belligerent extremists that neither wanted or can deal with. Now we are in danger of being over run by a refreshed and reunited Taliban force that has none of our objections to fighting a war at any cost.

Against an enemy that fears nothing and will except nothing but victory, there is only one way to victory: Total annihilation. The time for timid luke-warm measures is over and left us vulnerable and stretched thin. If we are truly committed to winning the war in Afghanistan and freeing these people for all time then we owe it to them and our own citizens to bring this war to a swift and sure close as quickly as possible and by whatever means necessary. Only total war fought without apology or doubt will carry the day over an enemy that is willing to slaughter women and children in the thousands. If we can not find it in ourselves as a nation and people to do what must be done then the sooner we abandon our pretenses in the middle east and leave once and for all the better off all the world will be. This earth needs unflinching leaders, who will do what must be done when all else has failed.

As the soldier on the ground knows as he clutches his weapon close to him, we have reached a moment in history where we will have to make a choice. Either we do what needs to be done or we can continue on doing what is pleasing and easy and slowly bleed this nation of wealth and lives in a fruitless gamble to bore terrorism to death with our half-hearted measure. Those men and women sleeping in the dust over there, deserve an answer and our full support. Either we are with them all the way and free them to do what must be done or bring them home to live out their lives in peace and leave the running of other nations to those who are willing to fight for their own freedom.

How long will this war go on? How long will we fight amongst ourselves over how to win this war. Iraq is crumbling, and Afghanistan failing. Why would we go there if we had no intention of finishing what we started. Why have key enemy leaders been allowed to flee and continue plotting hate? When will we as a nation wake up and see the world as it is. When we will understand that war has a price and those unwilling to pay should not start it. Every soldier prays for peace. No one wants to die far from home and loved ones fighting a war that's purpose and goal is no longer certain. if we're not in this to win then what are we fighting for? There is a peace to be had only on the other side of war. One thing is certain as long as we in America continue to allow politicians to force soldiers into fighting with one arm tied behind their back this war will never end and victory will always elude us.