In testimony before Congress Tuesday, U.S. Army General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that if airstrikes fail to push back ISIL it could mean boots on the ground. Dempsey was clear that the airmen bombarding ISIL “are very much in a combat role,” but that “the folks on the ground are very much in a combat advisory role. They are not participating in direct combat. There is no intention for them to do so.” However, he said, should circumstances change, “then I would, of course, change my recommendation.” Dempsey added, “To be clear, if we reach the point where I believe our advisers should accompany Iraqi troops on attacks against specific ISIL targets, I will recommend that to the president.” Barack Obama has taken great pains to assure the American people that he is not George W. Bush, and that he has no intention of doing what’s necessary to defeat ISIL if that means “boots on the ground.” Politics above all else. But there are already boots on the ground with more to come, and if combat comes to them, we certainly hope they’re permitted to fight.