Following the Gulf Oil disaster there was considerable public feelings that the Department of Defense should step in and take control. Reuters reported that "The Military May Join Fight Contain Gulf Oil Slick." Recently Sen. Nelson (D-Florida) asked the military to help as well, stating ""Americans need to feel that their government is taking an all hands on deck response" (here). However, the reality is that the military does not have the capabilities to solve the problem (here)
Our interest is in teasing out why the American public thought the military should jump in? And, what is the lesson to learning that it can't solve the problem?
During the past several decade the USA has seen the growing influence of the DOD. Diplomacy has been militarized, the State Department has been marginalized, and Americans generally prefer "hard power" and coercion to "soft power" and influence. The military is seen as the ultimate symbol of USA strength while Europe is often laughed at for its effeminate approach to the world.
The fact that the military stands powerless before the gushing oil could be a new lesson for America. The military should be the last resort, not the first. Problems should be solved through other agencies. The military isn't omnipotent.
Let's hope the popular media picks up this lesson.
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