It is no secret at this point that a Muslim terrorist organization named Boko Haram kidnapped 239 girls on April 14th. This was done for two reasons: the first to protest their attendance of a school where they were receiving education in something other than the Qu’ran. And the real reason: to gain funding through two methods, the sale of these girls, and access to more funding through terrorist networks once they have officially been branded a terrorist organization by the US.
What does this have to do with Ol’ Staff Sergeant (SSG)? SSG makes a good point, and that is that nothing we say in the U.S. or more specifically on our Facebook pages, matters. Sorry, Miss Hathaway. Hashtags don’t matter. Reposts don’t matter. And a trending topic doesn’t matter. Even if the American and Western governments poured money into Nigeria, it wouldn’t save these girls. Unless. of course we did the unthinkable, which would be to use our intelligence networks to buy these women back, but that is a short-term solution which would only encourage kidnappings in the future.
We certainly can’t trust their own army to bring these women home, especially if they behave anything like the Ugandan army did in 1996 with the Aboke girls. If you want to know more about that check out Jane Bussman’s book, “A Journey to the Dark Heart of Nameless Unspeakable Evil,” or another title specifically concerning the incident, “Aboke Girls.” Simple summary: 139 were kidnapped. A nun working at the school, from which they were kidnapped, went after them and negotiated the release of 109. The Ugandan army later made an attempt to retrieve the other 30. They came home with 1. Why do I bring that up? Other than to show the difference in the power of a nun and an army, was to show that words don’t mean shit. Lots of words mean the same amount, but doing something, physically going out and doing something, matters.
This was my issue with the entire Kony 2012 deal. It was a video designed to spread awareness. There was a young man Jacob, in the video, who I had the opportunity to meet, when I visited Gulu, Uganda. No one brought him home. Our well wishes didn’t rescue him from the clutches of Joseph Kony, he did. He escaped by his own force of will.
To a population that loves to donate money, but hates to get off their asses and actually sacrifice, were now asking for action. Someone needed to do something, not them, of course, but someone–those people that fix things. The end result was just under 100 special forces operators were deployed to that region of the world to train an army that has been known for its corruption and participation in the human rights violations that they were being trained to prevent. Again, check out Jane’s book.
Are these complex issues? Yes. Very. But in the end, what people wanted, was for us to put boots on the ground and to take care of the bad guys in a way that the Western World could stomach.
That is where we hit a wall. We want justice, but we don’t want to act in a manner that forces us to question morality and the thin gray line separating good from evil. Hollywood drew that line so crystal-clearly. How could we deviate from it? This is the same Hollywood that is supporting these child molesters. The same Americans screaming for action and #bringbackourgirls, would be the same ones spitting on our returning service members for fighting a war against the children that make up the African militias. Because they see our 15-year-old children’s faces in the faces of those 15-year-olds, who are hardened veterans with over five years of jungle war-fighting experience.
This isn’t an easy issue. It isn’t clean, and unless someone who is willing to face some decidedly harsh criticism for how they solve this problem, steps up to the plate, these girls are never going to be seen again, at least not in the condition that they were in when they left the school. Do I have a solution for this problem? Not a PC one. Am I asking for silence, to just stop talking about it? No. I am asking that we truly identify our goals and what we are willing to do to accomplish them, not waste our time and energy thinking that by spreading awareness we are actually accomplishing something.
If you haven’t already don’t forget to follow This Ain’t Hell and myself on Facebook.
Amen & pass the hand grenades.
I work in intel/counterterrorism and I laugh at loud at the thought that Boko Haram members can even read. And if they could, they would laugh uproariously at these tweets.
They understand nothing but violence. If we try to negotiate with us, they will fuck with us endlessly until they get everything they want. And anything they agree to would have an expiration of about 30 seconds after the negotiations end.
These bastards are probably the most soulless, brutal, evil sacks of shit in the terrorist world. They have NO problem with killing anyone who gets in the way of imposing Sharia.
When Al-Qaeda thinks they’re a little over the top…well, need I say more?
The ONLY way to get rid of them is to exterminate every…last…one of them. Starting with the dickhead who heads them up. For him, though, we need to do it nice and slow. Like he does with his victims.
I’ve seen the video of the guy in charge, scratching himself in several places.
He has lice, probably fleas, maybe other equally nasty critters besides that. I can only hope he contracts a nasty infection from his personal insect population. If only one would crawl into his ears and eat his brains….
Totally agree, except it is the US that is providing these very groups with the funding and weapons…..and that makes it “awkward” when trying to go after the person who “heads them up.”
My personal view is that unless you are delaying their death in order for them to make an anti-propaganda film (don’t let this be you), the torturing of enemy only serves to poison your own soul.
When you deal with animals they need to be treated like animals. These are people that know that our government restricts our ability to deal with these people in the required methods and they take advantage of it. It is disgusting how they use that to do the things they do.
“If we try to negotiate with us…”
Of course, I meant to write “If we try to negotiate with them…”
Having said that, the remedial English classes ARE making a difference.
I’d do the same things if I didn’t have someone look over the things I write.
“…[W]aste our time and energy thinking that by spreading awareness we are actually accomplishing something.” Yeah, that one has always baffled me about all of the ‘raise awareness’ issues and ribbons. My response always is, “Okay. I am aware. So, now what?” Diseases don’t much care about the democratic process. It’s not as if cancer says, “Oh, well, more people are aware of me now than aren’t, so I guess I’ll just go away.” No, awareness is either a soft tag for ‘give me money and lots of it’–whatever the issue–or it’s a politician’s green light for forcing something on us that we don’t want. As soon as I see awareness attached to damn near anything, I cringe.
The US is starting to put people on ground but the government of Nigeria is so hard to work with and I doubt people have the stomach to do what is necessary. These girls are going to go the way of the Aboke Girls if things don’t change.
As for the girls, I learned yesterday that the 53 who escaped are subject to marriage by their abductors (!) or sale by their families into slavery. So, we are saving the girls from what exactly? and I positively loved the rally posters over there featuring Obama’s (spit!) picture with a call for him to save their children. They are so poor that they can’t afford basics yet they have multicolored Obama (Spit!) posters. When do we learn that the gov’t orchestrated this whole thing for the inevitable checks and equipment that are all ready being sent over there? For my money, removing Mocha Boca is akin to claiming you’ve cleaned out a sewer by removing one turd.
2/Air Cav….said
“For my money, removing Mocha Boca is akin to claiming you’ve cleaned out a sewer by removing one turd.”
Now that’s fucking funny!
I meant 2/17 Air Cav
You are right, we certainly are not going to be releasing these girls back into Disney land.
MustangCrippie wrote: ““If we try to negotiate with us…”
Actually, Mustang, you have captured our entire foreign policy in just 7 words.
George V.
Very well written, Adam. Kudo’s, bro. I’m highly inclined to agree with evry word of it and Cryppie’s analysis as well. Seems to me that ever since the PLO came to be, the US government prefers throwing money to these groups and pussyfoot around instead of taking them down.
We don’t get in trouble for throwing money at a problem, but when we get our hands dirty people ask questions.
Another example of use of US military force is an international crime, unless Hollywood celebrities and smelly hippies (I do realize that is redundant) want us to do something. These guys are bad and need to be wiped from the face of earth, but just to play devil’s advocate, when one of these do nothing/feel good hashtaggers wants you to sign their petition, ask them why are we going in there if they have not attacked us (America), and as far as can be determined, they have no weapons of mass destruction.
That is the hard part, if we keep playing games with interventionist foreign policy eventually everyone will expect us to solve their problems. I don’t know what the right answer is but this isn’t clear cut.
If you want to know what will happen in the world during the next 30 to 40 years, then go back and review what has happened in the world during the past 3 to 4 years.
This is just one of many events. There are many more to come, and none of those indignant hashtaggers has a clue to what a dangerous planet this is.
You nailed it. This is just a repeat of so many other events that have happened. You are talking about a population of people who recently was polled as saying they want to be intervening in the rest of the world far less and focus more on domestic matters. But then this, the people aren’t pushing a consistent message to our leadership.
This is actually a job for mercs.
Just like the old days.
I was just thinking the same thing.
These inane “hashtag” campaigns should surprise no one. Their organizers and participants are from the same group that listens to “green” and “global warming” advocates who fly around the globe in private jets.
Oh yeah, when I was in Gulu in 2010, the nicest car there was owned by Invisible Children. Which is the organization that ran the Kony 2012 video.
I definitely agree that it will take ‘our dudes with guns’ to end this, but for people who want to see that happen, the tweets / facebook posts / ‘awareness’ is all a necessary first step.
Politicians, left or right, tend to do what makes them look good, not really what’s best morally or in national interests. In order for action -boots on the ground- to happen, there needs to be a wave of support for it amongst voters. Raising awareness and personalizing things does that. I’m quite sure there are efforts underway to find the most photogenic victim of Boko Haram with the most devastating, relatable story and to tell that story, with photos, to personalize this issue.
Basically, people who wants boots on the ground are trying to build support so that action is politically advantageous, and inaction is bad.
Social media has certainly given us a more powerful and direct voice to speak to our leadership.
The problem isn’t that they can hear us, it is that once they actually do what needs to be done I think those same people asking for action will be vilifying those that acted.
“The problem isn’t that they can hear us, it is that once they actually do what needs to be done I think those same people asking for action will be vilifying those that acted.”
That is the nut of it, IMO.
that, and the politicians nowadays listen only the shrillest and loudest social media, which is typically also the least-informed and most volatilely emotional
All well and good, until someone’s troops on the ground kill a couple of the “child” soldiers of
ProcolBoko Harum, and the NYT and the alphabet networks show pics of the dead “children”. Then, it’ll be a steady drumbeat of Why? they’re just children, Couldn’t you have just talked them into surrendering, you didn’t have to kill them.This, too.
“He may have looked like a boy, but he carried a man’s gun. And he’d already used it to kill on several occasions.”
-Louis L’Amour
“Last Stand At Papago Wells”
that doesn’t even matter to them here in the US… that “guns are the leading cause of death among children” stat is predicated on including “children” up to age 24.
I hope I’m not alone in thinking that the only way to deal with those animals is to wipe them off the face of the Earth, right down to the last one!
No, you’re not alone. The operative question is who will do the wiping. It’s their ass. Let them do their own wiping. As I see it, this is akin to our inner-city drug issues inasmuch as a dealer dead or in jail is merely an opening for the next guy. It never ends.
This is just my opinion so bear with me please. First, I think this is an Obama campaign and mission from start to finish. I think this Harem guy in Nigeria needs to be dead, yesterday. No doubt about it. But there are dozens just like him all over Africa. What do we do with them? But beyond the hash taggers where is the American support and will to put boots on the ground an see body bags come home? I agree with Green Thumb, this is a perfect mission for mercs. We’ve used them before and let’s not pretend we haven’t and probably still do. Let’s use them again. Get in, get the job done and get out. But of course there will be a leftist uprising if we do that also. The left wants all this done but they don’t want anyone hurt doing it. You know, just rescue the girls, shake hands, leave and promise never to write.
I will get behind American troops on the ground there when Obama, Mr. and Mrs. can tell me what they are doing about the far greater number of American children abducted every year in this country by other than family members. The numbers are in the thousands. Many sold into sex slavery abroad. What are the Obamas’ thoughts about and answer to that problem right here in downtown USA?
At his point I say it is a bad idea. I wish it were not happening and I feel for the people involved. But we cannot be the savior to the whole world, one thug at a time. We need some saving from some big issues right here at home.
There are so many Americans that agree with you. It isn’t because we don’t want to help the other countries but we need to prioritize our problems above everyone else’s. We certainly don’t have anyone that we can expect to come help us out if we are in trouble.
Thank you Sparks. My feelings exactly. I am sick of this attitude perpetuated by the pampered class that we have to somehow “save the world”. The elites are more than willing to send SOMEONE elses sons and daughters into harms way so they can feel like “they’re doing something” while they have no skin in the game.
Bingo. We do not now and never did have the wherewithal to “save the world”. Anyone arguing otherwise is nothing but a damn fool.
While sad, this – like many other examples of evil in the world – simply does not threaten US interests. As such, it is not a US fight.
We should indeed stay the hell out of it. Help Nigeria fight these a-holes? Maybe.
Participate directly? No freaking way.
“At his point I say it is a bad idea.”
Amen, Brother. It grieves me to say it, but there it is. Far too many people in America don’t know how to be consistent, to stay the course, so today they sing Hosannas about you, and tomorrow they scream and spit at you.
Shouldn’t the UN get involved
I think they are already sending representatives. But if the US doesn’t lead the UN won’t follow.
I “accidentally” left out 3 words in front of UN. Ineffective and corrupt
I “accidentally” left out 3 words in front of UN. Ineffective and corrupt
Like that internet photo says, UNinvolved in Africa.
…I’ve always thought that a certain much-loved sci-fi show showed the proper means of dealing with these people:
ALLIANCE AGENT: These are my demands –
CAPTAIN MAL: (Shoots ALLIANCE AGENT)
Mike
If memory serves, it was a little more like this
Operative (being a holier-than-thou condescending prick): “I’m not threatening you, Captain. I’m unarmed–”
Mal: “Good!” (fast-draws and shoots the Operative)
God, how I miss Firefly!!! A fantastic allegory in so many ways for the situation in America today, so of course Hollywood killed it.
I LOVED Firefly! Alas …
“The Only Thing Necessary for the Triumph of Evil is that Good Men Do Nothing”
We need an administration with some balls to start stomping out the evil in this world. Whether it’s Boko Haram in Nigeria or drug cartels in Mexico. All have an impact on our national security. We are in isolationist feel good mode. We don’t want to upset anyone, if we talk nice to evil people then they may like us. We have turned into a teenage drama. We are falling steadily down the superpower scale. The world is full of evil, corrupt and twisted people and governments. We may not want to be the world police, but the world needs policing and the country that has the balls, integrity and wherewithal to be proactive in dealing with evil will be the preeminent superpower in this world.
All of that may be true, but it is also true that we are broke and in debt up to our eyeballs.
We cannot afford to be the world’s policeman, anymore.
We never could, Old Soldier. We never could.
The Cold War and its peripheral conflicts was necessary because the USSR was indeed an existential threat to the United States. Since the Cold War ended, that threat has abated.
The threat posed by terrorism is large, but is not the same. That threat is best countered by a different set of tools and strategies than were used in opposing a capable adversary with huge standing conventional and nuclear forces.
Yet even during the Cold War, not every conflict was of great interest; some, we stayed out of entirely, in order to conserve our nation’s resources and people. Some we didn’t, and should have – to our later regret.
The same is true today. We don’t have the resources to be the world’s policeman today, either.
makes you wonder why we can’t charge for our services? if the world is going to treat us like mercs and Janissaries, at least we should go into it with our eyes open – and no pay, no play.
So long as the “boots” that will be on the ground doing the bleeding have final veto, and there is no foot dragging for air support or what ever else is needed to get the job done, ala Mogadishu or Benghazi, I’m ok with that.
Cash, up front, too.
4 dead Us citizen white guys = ignore it, cover it up, lie about it.
Black Nigerian girls kidnapped = We’re on it
Doesn’t get any more transparent than that.
#BringBackOurGirls #sendinspecialforces #annihilatebokoharam #watchliberalswhine #caring
Makes me wish I was 30 years younger, and able to go SOF-style to take care of the problem.
I don’t support Terrorist Activities in any way, even by our own troops, which is referred to as interrogation / torture.
I don’t believe we should lower our standards to an enemies level. But I do support fighting to the last man and the last round which they may have. Prisoners should be few and fare between when dealing with these barbarians. All they understand is murder and mayhem on defenseless people. They know that the Regular Armies are not trained well and that the equipment they use is fare more superior then the militaries. From the Government down their is a need for proper training and installation of a sound foundation for democracy.. None of this can be achieved via the systems we have in place at this time. The United Nations is brimming with hand wringers, sweaty palms, and corrupt officials who can only see that any sort of a move will bring about conflict and condemnation. How many Governments to-day don’t have corruption or dishonesty chargers going through the courts? Not many. The need is for a Professional Military Unit with out a Government Minder looking over it shoulder, which can get in there and train up the military of the nation putting pride and professionalism in place, along with pay and good serving conditions.
Yep it is Utopia. Which means woman and children will still be the victims whilst the United Nations keeps debating the cost of rice in china.
“I don’t support Terrorist Activities in any way, even by our own troops, which is referred to ans interrogation / torture.”
I don’t believe we should lower our standards to an enemies level… Prisoners should be few and far between when dealing with these barbarians.”
Do you see the conflict in these statements?
That’s exactly what’s being discussed here. We all want the girls rescued, without any idea of what that would take, and what the end result would be, either for the girls or ourselves.
If war and conflict was ever cut and dried, it certainly isn’t anymore. And attempting to bring democracy to Africa is approximately like trying to teach a fish to ride a bicycle.
Adam hits this nail rather squarely, also he points out in a response what are we releasing them back into when they are rescued?
Easy to get excited about rescuing them, a lot less so to get excited about the fact that most of the nations in Africa are horrifying shit holes where life has about as much meaning as the words coming out of any of the Kardashian’s pie holes…
Even our allies in the regions to the north govern lands that are depressing reminders of the tolerance of the muslim people.
Not all muslims are terrorists to be sure, but all of the most disgusting terror groups in Africa are muslims. It’s time to stop pretending that all cultures have equal moral high ground and start stating the obvious. Muslim nations and their cultures are constant reminders that man lives to oppress other men and women and will always find a way to do so when possible.
We need to decide if there is any reason for us to concern ourselves with the politics of these shit holes and the resulting quagmire they represent. I suspect the resources in the region matter at least for now. That means we will continue to involve ourselves where we are not really wanted and barely tolerated.
Perhaps some day we will understand “oderint dum metuant” is the best way to deal with those who only understand violence. In spite of what the weak minded and weak willed ass wipes on the left believe, some people do not actually “deserve” to live and the world will be better the sooner we terminate those who enslave others.
“Perhaps some day we will understand “oderint dum metuant” is the best way to deal with those who only understand violence.”
I have long pondered why this seems so impossible for so many to grasp. I have tentatively concluded that we (America) are a victim of our own success. Ie, a large portion of our population have no clue as to how harsh life can be, and that the only reason they haven’t experienced it first hand, is that some “rough men” have been willing to stand watch on the walls, and sally forth at need.
People who have grown up in rough neighborhoods never seem to have this problem.
“Not all muslims are terrorists to be sure…” No, but they and their sympathizers, supporters, and apologists are in numbers so high it’s worth eradicating them all.
No argument here, like I said there is nothing of culture in Nigeria that deserves preservation…a nation where 42% of the population remains unable to read or write after age 15 isn’t anything worth fighting for or saving.
I’ve no use for the religion of peace, but then again I’ve not much use for most religions….
I think it past time that America look to our “allies” in Europe and say “hey, France, Germany, etc. This one in Nigeria is on you this time”. So get YOUR troops and body bags ready to deploy and go save a small corner of your backyard.
And that will happen…NEVER!
I know this is probably gonna piss some people off, but bear with me, as I’m trying to make my point without coming off like a douchebag. My family is from Puerto Rico, but I was raised stateside. I love the US and given the option to move elsewhere, I’d gladly stay here. Despite what anyone says, we still have more freedoms here in the States than anywhere else.
That point of view informs my brand of foreign policy. Because we’ve been so ridiculously blessed as a nation, I think it’s our duty to step up and defend the weak against the predatory forces all over the world. These girls are Nigeria are a classic example.
Admittedly, it’s a thankless job. Our nation has been vilified time and time again for “overstepping our bounds” or “disregarding national sovereignty.” No matter what we do, we will always find willing critics who will gladly pick up a pen or keyboard and spew their anti-American vitriol online or in print. Here’s the rub: they don’t matter.
In the end, I’d rather be judged by men for what I did do than end up face-to-face with my creator and be judged for my inaction and complacency.
tl;dr We’re the good guys. Let’s act like it, dammit.
In the United States, “each year, 800,000 children are reported missing”, “of those who are abducted, 200,000 are taken by family members, typically during a custody battle, while 58,000 involve non-family members who are familiar to the child and who typically have targeted the child for sex.”
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/26/us-usa-missing-children-idUSBRE83P14020120426
Call me a cold hearted bastard, but I’m thinking that expending efforts and resources towards finding our own kids would do us a whole lot more good that playing hashtag crap or considering sending troops in over 239 girls in another country. Oh wait – that doesn’t look as good on the news does it??