Smith: How wars begin

In this July 24, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks about healthcare in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington.The Trump administration says it's freezing payments under an 'Obamacare' program that protects insurers with sicker patients from financial losses, a move expected to add to premium increases next year. Making the announcement Saturday, July 7, 2018 officials say the administration is acting because of conflicting rulings in lawsuits filed by some smaller insurers who question whether they're being fairly treated. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
In this July 24, 2017, file photo, President Donald Trump speaks about healthcare in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington.The Trump administration says it's freezing payments under an 'Obamacare' program that protects insurers with sicker patients from financial losses, a move expected to add to premium increases next year. Making the announcement Saturday, July 7, 2018 officials say the administration is acting because of conflicting rulings in lawsuits filed by some smaller insurers who question whether they're being fairly treated. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

I spent many years of my U.S. Air Force career preparing for war and studying associated doctrine, strategy and tactics. No sane person wants war. The most brilliant scientists, generals and statesmen throughout history decry the death, destruction, sorrow and waste caused by wars. War is evil and the most obvious reminder to humanity that we fall short of the glory of God. As Gen. Sherman said, "War is hell, and you cannot refine it."

In the 1960s, I listened to war protest music and watched liberal college students protest the Vietnam War on the evening news. I was in the Air Force during the Persian Gulf War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union afterward, and I witnessed first-hand the subsequent "peace dividend." Our active duty fighter squadrons were cut in half. Similar cuts were made to Army, Navy and Marine combat units. The threat of war has been far removed from most Americans over the last 25 years. Remember in 2012 when President Obama arrogantly chided candidate Romney for daring to mention the Russian threat? He likened it to the "1980s calling."

Now, the left, bolstered by its allies in the media and institutional politicians posing as conservative Republicans, have done an about-face. Russia is suddenly as big a threat as our country has ever faced. Putin is evil personified. And, our president is portrayed as stupidly and even treacherously playing along with him. The never-Trump hysteria is boiling over.

But facts are pesky things. This president instituted the most severe sanctions ever imposed by the U.S. government on both the Russian government and individual business leaders. He expelled 60 Russian spies. Unlike previous administrations, he made high-tech weapons available to the Ukraine and Poland to defend themselves against Russian hegemony. He has twice used U.S. military forces to aggressively respond to Russian-supported chemical weapon attacks in Syria, unlike President Obama, who drew a red line - then quickly ignored it. Most recently, he chided NATO allies, especially Germany, for their hypocrisy in maintaining the NATO alliance to potentially fight against Russia (using mostly American tax dollars) while securing their own lucrative economic relationships with Russia through their North Sea natural gas pipeline.

He has done more to constrain Russia then any modern president, yet he was severely ridiculed for his summit with President Putin this week because he refused to condemn Russia's role in meddling in the 2016 U.S. election. It would have been easy for a president who has no trouble chastising world leaders with whom he disagrees. Kim Jong Un, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, German Chancellor Merkel and British Prime Minister May could testify accordingly.

I don't know why Trump didn't publicly condemn Putin, and neither do the scores of impudent critics who despise the president so much they want him to fail at every endeavor. Did he think it better to carry a big stick behind closed doors while he spoke softly in public? Is it because he is suspicious of the Mueller probe and biased FBI agents behind it? Does he need Russia's support to secure peace in Korea? Does he see an opportunity to reset our relationship with a country that has become a rogue player on the world stage?

What we do know, based on his first year and a half in office, is this: Trump puts the interests of U.S. citizens above all else. While much work remains, he is securing our borders, revising tax policies, implementing trade tariffs, selecting judges who follow the constitution, and fostering effective security arrangements abroad.

Paradoxically, his success terrifies the left as much as it buoys those who elected him. Those blinded by their hatred would rather push us to the brink of war than allow Trump to succeed. However, those blinded by hatred are also blind to reason, and that is exactly how wars begin.

Roger Smith, a local author, is a frequent contributor to the Times Free Press.

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