War is hell. I didn't make up the phrase but I believe it. Everything I've ever seen or read about soldiers in combat bears up the point that war is a sickening nightmare of human suffering. War is a series of unbearable tragedies for the people who are merely trying to survive it.
Because of the toll of human anguish many people would never choose war. They may believe that war is evil. They may believe that sending young men and women into a war is unconscionable. They would not choose war, ever.
War is necessary. If a nation is to exist that nation must be willing to fight to maintain her sovereignty. This is true because the world is full of envy, jealousy, lust for power and all forms of evil. Evil exists and it motivates people to do horrible things. When evil people hold the reigns of power they make war necessary.
I would be glad if this were not true. I hate the thought of my friends, my sons, my countrymen losing their lives in a war. I hate the thought of the suffering and misery of the soldiers (even the enemy's). But I love my country more. I don't want to give even one life but if that's what is required then I'll give it. I understand that the sacrifices of the few make possible the great blessings of the many. My country still stands for freedom, opportunity, equality, liberty and justice. These are worth war.
Nathan Hale said it two hundred years ago when he said, "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country." In the face of evil that would work to undo all that my country holds dear we see the sacrificial warriors, the soldiers who stand in the gap and do battle on our behalf. Nathan Hale didn't create the idea behind his famous quote. He borrowed it from John 15:13 when John spoke of the original and best example of sacrificial giving. "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."
Friday, October 29, 2004
Thursday, October 28, 2004
Do Not Rock the Vote
Among the many truths I picked up in my brief stint in college was this little jewel: Stupid People Shouldn't Breed. It probably came from a bumper sticker or other highly questionable source of worldly wisdom. It's easiest to work into conversation when subjecting oneself to tv shows like Cops and Jerry Springer.
The actors and the musicians and the overpaid behind the scenes Hollywood big shots that have come out of the woodwork to press a political agenda have inspired another nugget of truth. Stupid People Shouldn't Vote. I know this will not be received well. Thank goodness no one reads my work or I'm sure I'd be deluged with hate mail.
Rock the Vote, Hip Hop Vote, Vote or Die, etc, etc, etc, have bought hours of tv ad time in an effort to get Americans to vote. Here's the first appeal to those groups from me... Stop wasting your money. Stop wasting your breath. If American's are concerned about the state of the union they'll find their way to the polls. They'll get involved in the organizations that lobby congress. They'll learn about the issues that affect their lives and they'll study the candidates who will hold power and influence.
If they are not smart enough to do this, please leave them alone. Ignorance is bliss. They'll be happier without this headache and they'll not screw it up for those of us that do care.
I don't give my five year old the power to make the decision about what kind of car I drive. He's not equipped for it. I could read the ads to him for all the cars I'm considering but a five year old is just not going to understand all the variables. If forced, I'm sure he would choose one car or the other but it would be based only on the looks of the car or the way the seat felt. That's much like voting for one candidate because that candidate has the best hair or has a hobby you share.
Once more, I'll make my appeal. Please leave the disenfranchised voters alone. Please leave the uninvolved twenty somethings alone. Please leave a little bit of complexity in the ballot and the voting registration. Don't make it too easy to vote. Don't make public announcements on the radio and tv about where the polls are located. Make it hard for us to vote.
I don't want the swimmers in the shallow end of the pool (wink, wink) making decisions that affect my life. Let them dull their minds with Jerry Springer, P Diddy and Drew Barrymore. Leave them to their blissful ignorance.
The actors and the musicians and the overpaid behind the scenes Hollywood big shots that have come out of the woodwork to press a political agenda have inspired another nugget of truth. Stupid People Shouldn't Vote. I know this will not be received well. Thank goodness no one reads my work or I'm sure I'd be deluged with hate mail.
Rock the Vote, Hip Hop Vote, Vote or Die, etc, etc, etc, have bought hours of tv ad time in an effort to get Americans to vote. Here's the first appeal to those groups from me... Stop wasting your money. Stop wasting your breath. If American's are concerned about the state of the union they'll find their way to the polls. They'll get involved in the organizations that lobby congress. They'll learn about the issues that affect their lives and they'll study the candidates who will hold power and influence.
If they are not smart enough to do this, please leave them alone. Ignorance is bliss. They'll be happier without this headache and they'll not screw it up for those of us that do care.
I don't give my five year old the power to make the decision about what kind of car I drive. He's not equipped for it. I could read the ads to him for all the cars I'm considering but a five year old is just not going to understand all the variables. If forced, I'm sure he would choose one car or the other but it would be based only on the looks of the car or the way the seat felt. That's much like voting for one candidate because that candidate has the best hair or has a hobby you share.
Once more, I'll make my appeal. Please leave the disenfranchised voters alone. Please leave the uninvolved twenty somethings alone. Please leave a little bit of complexity in the ballot and the voting registration. Don't make it too easy to vote. Don't make public announcements on the radio and tv about where the polls are located. Make it hard for us to vote.
I don't want the swimmers in the shallow end of the pool (wink, wink) making decisions that affect my life. Let them dull their minds with Jerry Springer, P Diddy and Drew Barrymore. Leave them to their blissful ignorance.
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Maggie May and Florida Democrats
Well, we've come back around to the Florida electorate and their persistent inability to fill out a voter registration form or accurately use a butterfly ballot. We may have this problem with stupid potential voters in other states but we're already hearing about in Florida. We're hearing about it because the lawsuits have already been filed.
One of the lawsuits challenges a ruling by the Florida Secretary of State that threw out voter registration forms from new voters who failed to check a box on the form indicating whether they were US citizens.
Following the logic of this lawsuit, people who fail to accurately fill out application paperwork should still be granted car loans and college entrance. Why don't you see if Ford Motor Company will accept incomplete and inaccurate forms when you apply for credit? Why don't you leave a couple of spaces blank on the scantron test and see what kind of grade you get?
The Democratic party chairman, Terry McAuliffe has accused Republicans of (among many, many other ridiculous things) systematically working to disenfranchise voters who McAuliffe believes would vote for Democratic candidates. One of the elements of this systematic effort is that somehow Republicans are requiring voters to present ID (drivers license for instance) in order to vote. His argument is that this requirement illegally repels potential voters.
Yeah... right. I showed up at the voting booth and was ready to do my patriotic civic duty and cast my ballot but when the little old lady asked for my drivers license I just couldn't take it. She was clearly repressing me. I ran screaming from the grocery store and will probably never vote again.
Finally, I want to ask my friends who are Democrats why their party has such a low opinion of them. McAuliffe believes that the people in Florida who are too stupid to fill out their forms and too stupid to figure out the ballot must be Democrats. McAuliffe believes that the Republicans were all smart enough to bring their drivers license to the polling place and could (as the law demands) identify themselves with a form of government issued identification card when required. McAuliffe believes that if only the voting laws weren't so difficult to maneuver that these poor dim witted Democrats would have less fear, would feel less intimidation and would create a wave of underperformance on which Democratic candidates would surf into political office.
Americans, do you really want people who are too dumb to fill out their voter registration form voting for the president? Would you trust these people to inform themselves and to carve through the issues of the day and to extract from the many sources an opinion about who they wish to hold the most powerful office in the world when they can't seem to figure out a voter registration form?
Democrats have bragged that they have 10,000 lawyers standing by ready to file lawsuits in every voting district that they don't win. They have six rapid response teams of lawyers ready to file on a moments notice if Kerry sees a state going to Bush.
You can relax because the Democrats are working hard for you. If you're an idiot, they're sure you are going to vote their way and they are planning to make sure that your voice is heard. They don't have any faith in your ability to take care of yourself so they want to push the standards so low that my dog could successfully cast a vote. She's no Lassie, either. She's just a dumb, disenfranchised mutt from the pound. She must be a Democrat.
One of the lawsuits challenges a ruling by the Florida Secretary of State that threw out voter registration forms from new voters who failed to check a box on the form indicating whether they were US citizens.
Following the logic of this lawsuit, people who fail to accurately fill out application paperwork should still be granted car loans and college entrance. Why don't you see if Ford Motor Company will accept incomplete and inaccurate forms when you apply for credit? Why don't you leave a couple of spaces blank on the scantron test and see what kind of grade you get?
The Democratic party chairman, Terry McAuliffe has accused Republicans of (among many, many other ridiculous things) systematically working to disenfranchise voters who McAuliffe believes would vote for Democratic candidates. One of the elements of this systematic effort is that somehow Republicans are requiring voters to present ID (drivers license for instance) in order to vote. His argument is that this requirement illegally repels potential voters.
Yeah... right. I showed up at the voting booth and was ready to do my patriotic civic duty and cast my ballot but when the little old lady asked for my drivers license I just couldn't take it. She was clearly repressing me. I ran screaming from the grocery store and will probably never vote again.
Finally, I want to ask my friends who are Democrats why their party has such a low opinion of them. McAuliffe believes that the people in Florida who are too stupid to fill out their forms and too stupid to figure out the ballot must be Democrats. McAuliffe believes that the Republicans were all smart enough to bring their drivers license to the polling place and could (as the law demands) identify themselves with a form of government issued identification card when required. McAuliffe believes that if only the voting laws weren't so difficult to maneuver that these poor dim witted Democrats would have less fear, would feel less intimidation and would create a wave of underperformance on which Democratic candidates would surf into political office.
Americans, do you really want people who are too dumb to fill out their voter registration form voting for the president? Would you trust these people to inform themselves and to carve through the issues of the day and to extract from the many sources an opinion about who they wish to hold the most powerful office in the world when they can't seem to figure out a voter registration form?
Democrats have bragged that they have 10,000 lawyers standing by ready to file lawsuits in every voting district that they don't win. They have six rapid response teams of lawyers ready to file on a moments notice if Kerry sees a state going to Bush.
You can relax because the Democrats are working hard for you. If you're an idiot, they're sure you are going to vote their way and they are planning to make sure that your voice is heard. They don't have any faith in your ability to take care of yourself so they want to push the standards so low that my dog could successfully cast a vote. She's no Lassie, either. She's just a dumb, disenfranchised mutt from the pound. She must be a Democrat.
Monday, October 25, 2004
Was that a good one, daddy?
My youngest son, the REALLY blonde one, is quite the little athlete. I spent several hours yesterday kicking the soccer ball around with him. He had scored 5 of his teams 11 goals on Saturday and then Sunday we were out in the yard working on making him a better soccer player. This is not because I'm one of those sick fathers who desperately cling to their youth by living vicariously through their children and therefore, push their children to athletic and academic extremes. He, my young soccer player, was begging me to play. At one point I suggested we go in and get a drink of water. He wasn't willing to go in until I assured him we would come back outside and continue to play after we got our drink.
He bought himself a football several weeks ago and did the same thing. He begged to throw the ball. He is eager to learn how to take a snap, throw, catch, call plays, etc. In less than an hour he had mastered the spiral pass. He knew how to take a snap like a pro... not like the shotgun formation we all loved when I was a kid. He knew how to drop back into the (imaginary) pocket after taking the ball. It got completely dark and we came in the house but when his mother got home some time later he insisted that we go back outside and show her, in the dark of night, all that he had learned.
He's not some dumb jock either. He works hard at learning to read and tries very hard to understand the math that his eight year old brother is doing in school. He's funny, especially to the little girls at his school. He's gentle with those who are weaker than him and he stands up to the bullies in his class. Like his brother, he's an exquisite piece of work.
Thank you God for blessing my life with these two boys. Thank you God for making them so different from each other. Thank you God for giving them some of your own characteristics. Thank you God for the joy they bring to all around them. Thank you for trusting them to my care.
He bought himself a football several weeks ago and did the same thing. He begged to throw the ball. He is eager to learn how to take a snap, throw, catch, call plays, etc. In less than an hour he had mastered the spiral pass. He knew how to take a snap like a pro... not like the shotgun formation we all loved when I was a kid. He knew how to drop back into the (imaginary) pocket after taking the ball. It got completely dark and we came in the house but when his mother got home some time later he insisted that we go back outside and show her, in the dark of night, all that he had learned.
He's not some dumb jock either. He works hard at learning to read and tries very hard to understand the math that his eight year old brother is doing in school. He's funny, especially to the little girls at his school. He's gentle with those who are weaker than him and he stands up to the bullies in his class. Like his brother, he's an exquisite piece of work.
Thank you God for blessing my life with these two boys. Thank you God for making them so different from each other. Thank you God for giving them some of your own characteristics. Thank you God for the joy they bring to all around them. Thank you for trusting them to my care.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Freakin' Genius
My 8 year old son, a genius by my own unscientific measurements, asked me the other day what I would do first if I were the president. No, it's not your typical "drive to school" kind of question and it took me by surprise.
Anyway, I looked thoughtfully out the windshield and pulled on my beard and willed the coffee I was drinking to hurry it up and start making a difference inside my brain. I finally settled on an answer that satisfied my son. I explained that I would start spending more of our tax dollars on things inside our country and quit sending so much of our money to other countries. He said if he were president he would make a law that punished people who sold drugs by putting them in prison for the rest of their lives.
The greatest part of this was that we didn't argue with each other. Neither of us felt the need to cut down the other's view point. Neither of us chose to belittle the other's idea. We just gave each other the acknowledging grunts and nods that pass for communication between men and we went on to the next question about our favorite books, movies and songs. Not only is he smart, he's cool.
Thank you God for my sons. Thank you for giving them above average intelligence. Thank you for blessing them with sharp minds and healthy bodies. Thank you for trusting them to my care. Thank you for their excitement and wonder and joy at things that I sometimes take for granted. Please give me the patience, the wisdom and the desire to be a great father to these magnificent young men.
Anyway, I looked thoughtfully out the windshield and pulled on my beard and willed the coffee I was drinking to hurry it up and start making a difference inside my brain. I finally settled on an answer that satisfied my son. I explained that I would start spending more of our tax dollars on things inside our country and quit sending so much of our money to other countries. He said if he were president he would make a law that punished people who sold drugs by putting them in prison for the rest of their lives.
The greatest part of this was that we didn't argue with each other. Neither of us felt the need to cut down the other's view point. Neither of us chose to belittle the other's idea. We just gave each other the acknowledging grunts and nods that pass for communication between men and we went on to the next question about our favorite books, movies and songs. Not only is he smart, he's cool.
Thank you God for my sons. Thank you for giving them above average intelligence. Thank you for blessing them with sharp minds and healthy bodies. Thank you for trusting them to my care. Thank you for their excitement and wonder and joy at things that I sometimes take for granted. Please give me the patience, the wisdom and the desire to be a great father to these magnificent young men.
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Father of mercies, hear our prayer
I just got an email from our friends who are moving to Thailand. They have chosen to take the message of Jesus to the Thai people. In order to do so, they will live in Bangkok and learn to live and work like their hosts. They are leaving behind everything familiar and will embrace a culture, a language and a nation that is nothing like their current home in the USA. As I imagined all the stress that they must be feeling as they put their belongings into a sea container and they apply for visas and they secure international driver's licenses I am overwhelmed.
I was getting a little bit worried about where my family might live if our house sells before we find another house to buy. Will we have to rent? Will we find a duplex? Apartment? Will we buy a house? Will we build a house? Will we live in the country? Will we live in the city?
I am reminded that I must trust in God. I must rely on the God that says, "Consider the lillies." I must rely on the God that says, "I know what I have planned for you." I must rely on the God that says, "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, would give him a stone?" I must rely on the God that has been faithful for thousands of years. I must stop trying to rely on my wisdom, which has been questionable for little more than three decades.
God, bless us with your peace. Fill us with the desire to serve you. Cleanse our hearts of any impure motives as we contemplate our decisions to sell and buy real estate. I want to see your face. I want to do your will, God. I want to die to my sinful desires so that I can live in your light.
I was getting a little bit worried about where my family might live if our house sells before we find another house to buy. Will we have to rent? Will we find a duplex? Apartment? Will we buy a house? Will we build a house? Will we live in the country? Will we live in the city?
I am reminded that I must trust in God. I must rely on the God that says, "Consider the lillies." I must rely on the God that says, "I know what I have planned for you." I must rely on the God that says, "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, would give him a stone?" I must rely on the God that has been faithful for thousands of years. I must stop trying to rely on my wisdom, which has been questionable for little more than three decades.
God, bless us with your peace. Fill us with the desire to serve you. Cleanse our hearts of any impure motives as we contemplate our decisions to sell and buy real estate. I want to see your face. I want to do your will, God. I want to die to my sinful desires so that I can live in your light.
Monday, October 18, 2004
Dude, look at my iguana.
Quite a bit has been written on the differences between cats and dogs. An equal amount of inked paper has been given to the differences in the owners of cats and the owners of dogs. Apparently, there are quite a few inferences about personality, cleanliness and overall intelligence that can be made about a person depending solely on which animal they choose to own.
What about me? I own a cat and a dog. I imagine that some authors would make further deductions about my personality based on the fact that I own both. I guess they might say I'm unwilling to choose. They might say that I lack introspective clarity. They might suggest that I am not the true owner of the cat because I'm not the one that chose her and brought her home.
I will not rehash the arguments about cats and dogs and their owners. I will leave that body of work unmolested. I would, however, like to point out that people who own lizards and very large snakes are all freaks. If you're reading this and you own a lizard (especially if you let it ride around on your shoulder or in your hair) please seek psychiatric help. Cold blooded animals were not intended to be cuddly friends with warm blooded humans. Call a doctor. Now.
What about me? I own a cat and a dog. I imagine that some authors would make further deductions about my personality based on the fact that I own both. I guess they might say I'm unwilling to choose. They might say that I lack introspective clarity. They might suggest that I am not the true owner of the cat because I'm not the one that chose her and brought her home.
I will not rehash the arguments about cats and dogs and their owners. I will leave that body of work unmolested. I would, however, like to point out that people who own lizards and very large snakes are all freaks. If you're reading this and you own a lizard (especially if you let it ride around on your shoulder or in your hair) please seek psychiatric help. Cold blooded animals were not intended to be cuddly friends with warm blooded humans. Call a doctor. Now.
Friday, October 15, 2004
Open Our Eyes, Lord
We were outbid yesterday on the house we'd been trying to buy. It seems like a curse right now but I'm certain it will turn into a blessing. I may be trying too hard to comfort myself at this point but I'm thinking about all the work that I'd have to have done to that house to bring it up to our imperial standards. But that may not be the blessing that God has in mind.
Many times I have made the mistake of using my standards to measure God's gifts. In other words, when I read God's promises to bless us and prosper us I believe that He means to give us money and houses and clothes and food. Maybe He does. Maybe He means that He will lead me to a place where I am more dependant on Him. Maybe He means that He will lead me to a place where I am a better spouse, parent, brother. Maybe God's ideas of blessings are somewhat more spiritual than mine.
God, I pray that your blessings will be poured out on me and my family. I pray that we will find ways to do your will. I pray that we will see your sheep and will be willing to feed them. I pray that our lives will bring glory to your name and that first and foremost we seek your face.
Many times I have made the mistake of using my standards to measure God's gifts. In other words, when I read God's promises to bless us and prosper us I believe that He means to give us money and houses and clothes and food. Maybe He does. Maybe He means that He will lead me to a place where I am more dependant on Him. Maybe He means that He will lead me to a place where I am a better spouse, parent, brother. Maybe God's ideas of blessings are somewhat more spiritual than mine.
God, I pray that your blessings will be poured out on me and my family. I pray that we will find ways to do your will. I pray that we will see your sheep and will be willing to feed them. I pray that our lives will bring glory to your name and that first and foremost we seek your face.
Wednesday, October 13, 2004
The Johns and The Magic Promise
I got a little frustrated by the politicians and their ridiculous claims and accusations so I took a little time off from listening to the news and writing about the issues that were being discussed. I'm back... and again, writing about the political landscape.
I got a huge laugh listening to and reading the words of John Edwards. Apparently, the (comedy) team of John and John are mystic healers. Apparently, when they take office they'll begin healing the lame and the blind. They may even raise the dead but as of today, they've not claimed this power. I'm sure they're saving it for the last week before the election. The question I have is... why are they not doing their healing now? Why not start today?
They say that their magic comes from stem cells. Stem cells are readily available in aborted fetuses and umbilical cords. I'm sure with their combined fortunes they can buy some of these wonder cells and get busy healing today and really cement their victory on November 2. Surely, everyone with spinal injuries and their families would vote for John and John if these two mystics healed them and made them walk again.
I guess the reason they didn't heal Christopher Reeve is that Mr. Reeve didn't have faith in their healing power. He said several times that he believed there was magic in stem cells but that magic would never give him the ability to walk again. Oh ye of little faith.
John and John are coming and when it comes to winning votes, no promise is too obscene or outrageous.
(I believe that John Edwards' exploitation of the publicity surrounding Christopher Reeve's death is at the very least callous and at worst sickeningly selfish. No limits of decency exist when a vote can be won and political power be restored to the Democratic Party.)
I got a huge laugh listening to and reading the words of John Edwards. Apparently, the (comedy) team of John and John are mystic healers. Apparently, when they take office they'll begin healing the lame and the blind. They may even raise the dead but as of today, they've not claimed this power. I'm sure they're saving it for the last week before the election. The question I have is... why are they not doing their healing now? Why not start today?
They say that their magic comes from stem cells. Stem cells are readily available in aborted fetuses and umbilical cords. I'm sure with their combined fortunes they can buy some of these wonder cells and get busy healing today and really cement their victory on November 2. Surely, everyone with spinal injuries and their families would vote for John and John if these two mystics healed them and made them walk again.
I guess the reason they didn't heal Christopher Reeve is that Mr. Reeve didn't have faith in their healing power. He said several times that he believed there was magic in stem cells but that magic would never give him the ability to walk again. Oh ye of little faith.
John and John are coming and when it comes to winning votes, no promise is too obscene or outrageous.
(I believe that John Edwards' exploitation of the publicity surrounding Christopher Reeve's death is at the very least callous and at worst sickeningly selfish. No limits of decency exist when a vote can be won and political power be restored to the Democratic Party.)
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
WWII and the War on Terror
I watched Edwards vs. Cheney last night. I like watching the debates for myself because the minute the debate is over the political operatives for each party begin claiming victory and calling their faithful to the Kerry and Bush altars for prayer. When the spin starts I check out.
My take is that it was a draw. Neither one clearly "won" the debate. Neither one flew off the handle and shrieked or screamed. Neither one mopped up the floor with the other. Edwards made good points as did Cheney. Great.
What I actually was thinking about (yes, my brain does this all the time) while I watched was World War II. I kept thinking about how different WWII would be if it were being fought today. Edwards insistence that things are going terribly in Iraq and Afghanistan seem ridiculous in light of the second World War. (Yes, I know there are very different circumstances in the War on Terror and World War II.) Our young men were being blown apart and shot and tortured and frozen on the other side of the world during WWII. Thousands and thousands of them each week came back to the states in coffins and thousands and thousands more were buried in allied countries. Thousands of our finest young men lost legs and arms and eyes. The grief of the individual families and the suffering of the soldiers did not override our conviction that the war HAD to be won. We had to win because we had been attacked on our own soil. We had to win because it was clear to most Americans that the world would not be the same if the Axis powers were allowed to fulfill their evil plans. War, in it's bloodiest, filthiest, most sickening reality had to be endured to protect the America that American's love.
On September 11th we were once again attacked on our own soil. The attackers, as you know were not wearing a uniform of another country's military. So, we can't just go to war with a country, as in WWII. We have to name our war and prosecute this war differently than WWII. But the fact that war, any war, will be bloody and horrifying and will cost young lives will not change. Americans who expect that freedom can come to Iraq or Afghanistan in a matter of months without bloodshed, without our enemies putting up a fight to the death, have completely unreasonable expectations. Our enemies, call them Al Queada or terrorists or Muslim extremists, realize that this is war. They have prepared to shed blood and to sacrifice everything, including their lives to accomplish their evil plans. We must realize that if they are allowed to succeed that America will no longer exist as we know it today.
It seems ridiculous to me that two men who wish to lead this country would be balking at 1066 (best count as of today) young American lives lost. If the existence of America as a free land, a "shining city on a hill", is what is at stake, what price would we pay? If the lives of our children and our grandchildren are what we are fighting for what could possibly persuade us to surrender? Not 1000 flag draped coffins. Not 10,000 flag draped coffins. If you can imagine a point at which you would withdraw from the war on this enemy than you do not understand what they wish to do to us. If you can imagine a point at which you stop fighting then you cannot know what this enemy would do to you, your children, your family.
I mourn every young soldier who gives his or her life to protect my freedom. I celebrate the sacrifice that those soldiers have made to protect my children and your children and our very way of life. They join a long list of patriots who have given their lives to keep evil empires from changing the world for the worse. Do not dishonor their sacrifice by surrendering to the enemy they opposed.
I know that there were Americans who did not agree with our actions in World War II. History has shown us that we did the right thing. There are Americans who do not agree with our actions in this war. It's not unpatriotic to disagree with this war. It's unaware. History will be written by the survivors of this war. Hopefully, that history will be written in English.
My take is that it was a draw. Neither one clearly "won" the debate. Neither one flew off the handle and shrieked or screamed. Neither one mopped up the floor with the other. Edwards made good points as did Cheney. Great.
What I actually was thinking about (yes, my brain does this all the time) while I watched was World War II. I kept thinking about how different WWII would be if it were being fought today. Edwards insistence that things are going terribly in Iraq and Afghanistan seem ridiculous in light of the second World War. (Yes, I know there are very different circumstances in the War on Terror and World War II.) Our young men were being blown apart and shot and tortured and frozen on the other side of the world during WWII. Thousands and thousands of them each week came back to the states in coffins and thousands and thousands more were buried in allied countries. Thousands of our finest young men lost legs and arms and eyes. The grief of the individual families and the suffering of the soldiers did not override our conviction that the war HAD to be won. We had to win because we had been attacked on our own soil. We had to win because it was clear to most Americans that the world would not be the same if the Axis powers were allowed to fulfill their evil plans. War, in it's bloodiest, filthiest, most sickening reality had to be endured to protect the America that American's love.
On September 11th we were once again attacked on our own soil. The attackers, as you know were not wearing a uniform of another country's military. So, we can't just go to war with a country, as in WWII. We have to name our war and prosecute this war differently than WWII. But the fact that war, any war, will be bloody and horrifying and will cost young lives will not change. Americans who expect that freedom can come to Iraq or Afghanistan in a matter of months without bloodshed, without our enemies putting up a fight to the death, have completely unreasonable expectations. Our enemies, call them Al Queada or terrorists or Muslim extremists, realize that this is war. They have prepared to shed blood and to sacrifice everything, including their lives to accomplish their evil plans. We must realize that if they are allowed to succeed that America will no longer exist as we know it today.
It seems ridiculous to me that two men who wish to lead this country would be balking at 1066 (best count as of today) young American lives lost. If the existence of America as a free land, a "shining city on a hill", is what is at stake, what price would we pay? If the lives of our children and our grandchildren are what we are fighting for what could possibly persuade us to surrender? Not 1000 flag draped coffins. Not 10,000 flag draped coffins. If you can imagine a point at which you would withdraw from the war on this enemy than you do not understand what they wish to do to us. If you can imagine a point at which you stop fighting then you cannot know what this enemy would do to you, your children, your family.
I mourn every young soldier who gives his or her life to protect my freedom. I celebrate the sacrifice that those soldiers have made to protect my children and your children and our very way of life. They join a long list of patriots who have given their lives to keep evil empires from changing the world for the worse. Do not dishonor their sacrifice by surrendering to the enemy they opposed.
I know that there were Americans who did not agree with our actions in World War II. History has shown us that we did the right thing. There are Americans who do not agree with our actions in this war. It's not unpatriotic to disagree with this war. It's unaware. History will be written by the survivors of this war. Hopefully, that history will be written in English.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
It's just one of those days
There are days, like today, when I'm so tired of hearing the arguments about Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein that I would be willing to bomb indiscriminately until Fallujah and Moktada al Sadr are nothing more than a smoking hole in the sand.
We've gone into a country where the rulers (not just the murderous Hussein clan, but their friends and families also) had absolute power. Life or death of an Iraqi citizen was simply a whim or a mood change for these men. The brutalities that the Hussein's videotaped are so revolting that the most hardened among us were nauseated. The heroin, the pornography that was found in their mansions are indicative of the depravity and the depths of the evil that they had attained. We see their followers are capable of the same type of atrocities as they behead chained prisoners.
Now, American soldiers are fighting these psychopaths in the streets of several Iraqi cities. American blood is being shed. American men and women will come home in coffins because of the evil empire that was run by Saddam Hussein. Today, be glad that I'm not the president. Because today, I would pull my fellow Americans back from Fallujah and tomorrow Fallujah would be no more. If another Iraqi city became the stronghold and the hideout for any of these murderers then that city would suffer the same glassy fate.
I'd rather drop American bombs than lose another drop of American blood. How long do you think it would take to get Iraq under control with that type of military response to the beheadings?
It's just one of those days.
We've gone into a country where the rulers (not just the murderous Hussein clan, but their friends and families also) had absolute power. Life or death of an Iraqi citizen was simply a whim or a mood change for these men. The brutalities that the Hussein's videotaped are so revolting that the most hardened among us were nauseated. The heroin, the pornography that was found in their mansions are indicative of the depravity and the depths of the evil that they had attained. We see their followers are capable of the same type of atrocities as they behead chained prisoners.
Now, American soldiers are fighting these psychopaths in the streets of several Iraqi cities. American blood is being shed. American men and women will come home in coffins because of the evil empire that was run by Saddam Hussein. Today, be glad that I'm not the president. Because today, I would pull my fellow Americans back from Fallujah and tomorrow Fallujah would be no more. If another Iraqi city became the stronghold and the hideout for any of these murderers then that city would suffer the same glassy fate.
I'd rather drop American bombs than lose another drop of American blood. How long do you think it would take to get Iraq under control with that type of military response to the beheadings?
It's just one of those days.
Friday, October 01, 2004
Democracy, Coliseum style
In my previous career I commanded a substantial portion of a multi-million dollar operation. My peers and I routinely had almost daily meetings in which we played tug of war for employees, equipment and vehicles. The competition was a necessity as our performance against business plan was made public and depended heavily on our ability to control (I mean manipulate) labor budgets. Many times I wished that those meetings would be reduced to physical battles. I imagined the meeting room door being locked from the outside and the three of us fighting it out until only one man was left standing. That man got to use whoever he wanted, however he wanted and the other two guys had to make do with whatever was left.
I think Bush was thinking the same thing last night. He was looking across a stage at a man who has called him a liar, an idiot, a buffoon, and worse, accused him of taking the country to war for personal reasons. Bush was doing well to restrain himself. If he was imagining giving Kerry a kick in the groin, a quick fist to the throat and then kneeling on Kerry's chest, who can blame him?
Kerry, with typical campaign audacity, claimed that he, Kerry, would bring a new credibility to the presidency. Whaaaaa? He also claimed that he had held only one position on Saddam Hussein and Iraq. Whaaaa? Unbelievable. Americans by the millions, literally, watched the debate, watched the recap of the debate or read about it in the news this morning and are now considering Senator Kerry in a slightly more favorable light than they did yesterday. WAKE UP!
Kerry's claims are so ludicrous it's hard to imagine a response that doesn't start with, "There you go again."
I'm suggesting that from now on we utilize a Coliseum type approach to the debates. We give both candidates a sword and we release a lion into the room with them. If candidate #1 has told a bunch of lies about candidate #2, then #2 might not be inclined to help #1 if the lion starts to eat #1. If they've both been ugly then maybe they team up and kill the lion and then fight each other to the death. There are so many possible scenarios but only one outcome. Then the American people don't have to wait for a messy election (and the DNC lawsuits that are bound to follow) to know who's going to lead the nation. That's right, the last man standing.
I think Bush was thinking the same thing last night. He was looking across a stage at a man who has called him a liar, an idiot, a buffoon, and worse, accused him of taking the country to war for personal reasons. Bush was doing well to restrain himself. If he was imagining giving Kerry a kick in the groin, a quick fist to the throat and then kneeling on Kerry's chest, who can blame him?
Kerry, with typical campaign audacity, claimed that he, Kerry, would bring a new credibility to the presidency. Whaaaaa? He also claimed that he had held only one position on Saddam Hussein and Iraq. Whaaaa? Unbelievable. Americans by the millions, literally, watched the debate, watched the recap of the debate or read about it in the news this morning and are now considering Senator Kerry in a slightly more favorable light than they did yesterday. WAKE UP!
Kerry's claims are so ludicrous it's hard to imagine a response that doesn't start with, "There you go again."
I'm suggesting that from now on we utilize a Coliseum type approach to the debates. We give both candidates a sword and we release a lion into the room with them. If candidate #1 has told a bunch of lies about candidate #2, then #2 might not be inclined to help #1 if the lion starts to eat #1. If they've both been ugly then maybe they team up and kill the lion and then fight each other to the death. There are so many possible scenarios but only one outcome. Then the American people don't have to wait for a messy election (and the DNC lawsuits that are bound to follow) to know who's going to lead the nation. That's right, the last man standing.
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