Step back, United States, and give the Koreas some space. This is the advice former Republican Congressman and distinguished Korean War veteran Peter McCloskey has, for the Trump Administration. A Marine Lieutenant, McCloskey has been awarded the Navy Cross, a Silver Star, and two Purple Hearts as a result of his heroic actions in combat against the North Korean Army. Now, long retired from public service, he farms in California.
I doubt that the White House will listen. Their mentality about conflicts around the world has been and remains, “force solves all problems. If the problem isn’t solved yet, then it must be because not enough force was used. Solution? Apply more force. This rather asinine mindset has been consistent from one administration to the next. The so-called-leader of the “free” world (free like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, etc.) has little tolerance for allowing Nations to solve their own problems.
Force hasn’t solved Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (the list is too long.) So by now, our Government ought to know what does not work and perhaps ought to pursue a non-military strategy.
Pete McCloskey loves our Country; he fought for our Country. He put country over party, especially by opposing the Vietnam War and being the first Congressman to call for Nixon’s impeachment. We should all listen to his advice.
Congress has dodged its responsibility to declare war since World War II. Yet, for many of those years, we have been militarily and financially involved in mutiple conflicts of other Nations. It is past time we allowed Congress to dodge its responsibility. Having made no formal Declaration of War should mean, that we will send no United States troops and no military aid to warring Countries. The world might be better off, if our Government quit trying to finance and manage it.
So far, our President and Congress have not shown competence in solving our problems. They should not dictate to South Korea about how to get along with North Korea.
Pete McCloskey is right. The United States Government should not get in the way of peace between the Koreas. We need to stand back and give them some room.