Gary Hunt,
Outpost of Freedom
April 6, 1999
For thousands of years, people have been set upon by superior force. Probably the most remarkable recent event in our history is the colonists, hiding behind trees and rocks, taking on the greatest military force in the world. The British, of course, ridiculed the Americans as cowards. After all, if they can’t fight in rank and file, then they are too ungentlemanly to amount anything.
More recently, just a few years ago, Saddam Hussein had the oil wells ignited. The establishment press, taking the role of the British advocates, accused Hussein of crimes against the environment. Objectively, however, it was easy enough to understand the methodology, not the madness. The Iraqi troops had been taking a beating from the close air support of the American and British air forces. Just as we seem to be determined to protect American soldiers, at any cost, Hussein felt the same. There was little doubt that the smoke from the hundreds of blazing oil wells obscured visibility, infrared and laser systems. It was many months later when the government was willing to admit the truth in the matter. But, they are not idiots; they just tried to make Saddam look like one.
Some recent happenings in Serbia can be ridiculed -- or we can look to the obvious. Probably most significant is the claims that the Serbs are routing the Albanians out of their homes – at gun-point, and then forcing them to flee. I have no doubt that this is occurring, but to what extent violence is a part of it is a little more difficult to piece together.
First, let’s look at historical models. During World War II, tens of thousands were ‘incarcerated in this country. Why? Because they were perceived as possible enemy. The Japanese lead the list, but thousands of Italians and Germans met the same fate.
Now, if the enemy is truly within – such as the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), and they are seeking a civil war, or insurrection, isn’t every military aged male a possible enemy?
Now, take the government in power. An untouchable enemy is bombing their country. Military and civilian targets are being hit every night. The inability to fight back is frustrating. As the damage is incurred on the military means, the potential for an uprising of the insurgents becomes even greater. Every potential insurgent is a threat to the national security. What would you do? Let them wander the countryside?
The other question that arises from this subject is the evacuation of civilian Albanians from their homes. Well, let’s begin with the cause of the untouchable enemy’s attacks. The bombings are a direct consequence of attempting to put down an insurrection by the KLA. The degree of force used to suppress the activities of the KLA is not the issue. Within any country, their means are their means, and not subject to our interpretation. We have the Death penalty, while almost every other nation has decided that this is inhumane.
The bombings are beginning to impact the transportation within the country. This will soon result in limited food, medical and other necessary supplies. The first choice in distribution of what is available will be the military and the government. This is always true. Now, who is next in priority? Those that brought on this problem, or those who are loyal and part of the cultural heritage of Serbia?
That answered let’s move on to a more pragmatic understanding. The military barracks and facilities have been a target from the beginning of the bombings. Looking solely at the protection of the forces that must be relied upon for national defense – should any opportunity to strike back arise – it is necessary to protect those troops. Leaving them in the barracks is about as foolish an idea as can be considered. So, shall we bivouac them? Put them out in the field in tents, and concentrated -- so as to make a perfect target for the bombs? Or, shall we move them in to the soon to be vacated houses of those who have become an enemy of the state?
Now, if you have attempted to maintain objectivity while reading the above, I think that you can see that there is, as always, another side of the story – not just what the pabulum eaters are fed at the press conferences.
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