Saturday, April 30, 2005
In Praise Of Today’s Anti-War Americans
We disagree on many things. In this case we disagree about the war in Iraq. We've argued, squabbled, and occasionally debated. But on this 30th anniversary of America's withdrawal from South Viet Nam, I would like to point out something that distinguishes the vast majority of Americans against the Iraq war from those against our involvement in Viet Nam.
Sincere and thoughtful Americans were against our involvement in Iraq, but maintained their support and affection for our armed forces - those men and women in the field. Sure, there were people in the streets that were more radical - some even advocating the murder of officers. But that was the exception, not the rule. And I cannot help but think that upstanding Americans who opposed the war were embarrassed by, perhaps even disgusted with, that small minority.
During this current war, we've not seen many examples of people mistreating our returning troops. Sure, there is the odd (and disturbing) example, like the crowd response during that Bainbridge Island (Washington State) parade, but that was also the exception, not the rule.
This time we welcomed our returning troops back home with respect, warmth and love. And also with a mature understanding that these are young people who were put in harm's way for (what they understood to be) protecting us. And this time around we realized that.
Perhaps 9/11 influenced us, and caused us not to so casually mistreat other Americans. Especially servicemen and women.
During the late years of the Viet Nam era, American civilians did not treat our returning young soldiers well at all. Many of those young men, who had really been "out of the loop" with regard to media reporting on the war, were insulted, looked upon with distain, ostracized, even spat on. And this "welcome home" they got immediately followed 18 months or more of life-threatening situations that they had understood to be for the benefit of those people treating them so contemptuously upon their return.
So I want to take this opportunity, on this anniversary, to thank those good Americans opposed to the Iraq war for maintaining a far more mature and measured stance, and respecting those people who put their lives on the line for us. Whether you believed that they really were facing danger for our benefit or not, you seemed to understand that they believed they were. Or were, at least, willing to serve.
(0) comments
We disagree on many things. In this case we disagree about the war in Iraq. We've argued, squabbled, and occasionally debated. But on this 30th anniversary of America's withdrawal from South Viet Nam, I would like to point out something that distinguishes the vast majority of Americans against the Iraq war from those against our involvement in Viet Nam.
Sincere and thoughtful Americans were against our involvement in Iraq, but maintained their support and affection for our armed forces - those men and women in the field. Sure, there were people in the streets that were more radical - some even advocating the murder of officers. But that was the exception, not the rule. And I cannot help but think that upstanding Americans who opposed the war were embarrassed by, perhaps even disgusted with, that small minority.
During this current war, we've not seen many examples of people mistreating our returning troops. Sure, there is the odd (and disturbing) example, like the crowd response during that Bainbridge Island (Washington State) parade, but that was also the exception, not the rule.
This time we welcomed our returning troops back home with respect, warmth and love. And also with a mature understanding that these are young people who were put in harm's way for (what they understood to be) protecting us. And this time around we realized that.
Perhaps 9/11 influenced us, and caused us not to so casually mistreat other Americans. Especially servicemen and women.
During the late years of the Viet Nam era, American civilians did not treat our returning young soldiers well at all. Many of those young men, who had really been "out of the loop" with regard to media reporting on the war, were insulted, looked upon with distain, ostracized, even spat on. And this "welcome home" they got immediately followed 18 months or more of life-threatening situations that they had understood to be for the benefit of those people treating them so contemptuously upon their return.
So I want to take this opportunity, on this anniversary, to thank those good Americans opposed to the Iraq war for maintaining a far more mature and measured stance, and respecting those people who put their lives on the line for us. Whether you believed that they really were facing danger for our benefit or not, you seemed to understand that they believed they were. Or were, at least, willing to serve.
(0) comments
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Outrage
It's been 30 years since the Khmer Rouge rolled into Phnom Penh. I've become somewhat of a student of Pol Pot's rein during that period, and have learned many things about the atrocities for which he (and his allies) were responsible.
But that doesn't matter. What really matters is that we carefully study the lessons taught to us by our betters in the mainstream media; those from whom all wisdom descends.
In a Yahoo news story that purports to "educate" us as to the lessons of that vicious period, I found the following passage:
Same shit, different decade. You may not remember the "moral equivalence" asininity that so marked the MSM's behavior when the Soviet Union was still around, but it went something like this: The USSR did baaaaad things. The US did baaaad things. Ipso Facto: Neither is better than the other.
This, of course, ignoring the limp bodies hanging on the razor-wire atop the Berlin Wall. This, of course, ignoring the toy-shaped explosive devices manufactured by the USSR to blow up children in Afghanistan. This, of course, ignoring nuclear ballistic missiles in Cuba. This, of course, ignoring... yada yada yada. (Psssst! Ever hear of Stalin? The crushing of the Prague Spring? The forced collectivization and resultant mass starvation in the Ukraine?)
We blocked people from trying to get in to the US. The soviets shot people for trying to get out. But hey, it's all relative. Right?
I will admit that I was surprised to find that there is at least one remaining member of the Paleo-Lefty goon squad willing (nay, eager!) to compare the United States with a murderous communist regime.
Viva la Che, kids.
(1) comments
It's been 30 years since the Khmer Rouge rolled into Phnom Penh. I've become somewhat of a student of Pol Pot's rein during that period, and have learned many things about the atrocities for which he (and his allies) were responsible.
But that doesn't matter. What really matters is that we carefully study the lessons taught to us by our betters in the mainstream media; those from whom all wisdom descends.
In a Yahoo news story that purports to "educate" us as to the lessons of that vicious period, I found the following passage:
After Pol Pot's clique ordered the eradication of "hidden enemies burrowing from within," terror and death became commonplace. Sometimes suspected enemies were executed in public; often they simply vanished. "Be quiet," people whispered; "bodies disappear."That's right. While commemorating a time wherein more than a million people were slaughtered on the alter of an inhuman ideology responsible for the deaths of more than one hundred million, we should be cautioned about our own actions in the War On Terror and the "terrible" things we do in pursuit of that.
In our age of terrorist fear, as suspect Arabs and Muslims vanish, are tortured, or held without trial, the Khmer Rouge period cautions us about the dangers of political paranoia. The enemy within, too often, turns out to be ourselves as - driven by fear - we violate the rights of others.
Same shit, different decade. You may not remember the "moral equivalence" asininity that so marked the MSM's behavior when the Soviet Union was still around, but it went something like this: The USSR did baaaaad things. The US did baaaad things. Ipso Facto: Neither is better than the other.
This, of course, ignoring the limp bodies hanging on the razor-wire atop the Berlin Wall. This, of course, ignoring the toy-shaped explosive devices manufactured by the USSR to blow up children in Afghanistan. This, of course, ignoring nuclear ballistic missiles in Cuba. This, of course, ignoring... yada yada yada. (Psssst! Ever hear of Stalin? The crushing of the Prague Spring? The forced collectivization and resultant mass starvation in the Ukraine?)
We blocked people from trying to get in to the US. The soviets shot people for trying to get out. But hey, it's all relative. Right?
I will admit that I was surprised to find that there is at least one remaining member of the Paleo-Lefty goon squad willing (nay, eager!) to compare the United States with a murderous communist regime.
Viva la Che, kids.
(1) comments
Monday, April 18, 2005
I'm back in town. I was out of town for the last two weeks, and busy for a couple of weeks before that.
But now I'm back. Your period of political safety and emotional comfort is now over.
Run. Hide.
(27) comments
But now I'm back. Your period of political safety and emotional comfort is now over.
Run. Hide.
(27) comments
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Blessed Are The Peacemakers...
Karol Josef Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II, Vicarius Filii Dei, is now nearing that moment that we must all, in time, approach. But what distinguishes him from most others is the affection, respect and love that he has inspired during his 26-year Papacy. He is an accomplished poet, linguist, philosopher, and has had a unique and tremendous influence on some of the pivotal events in the 20th Century.
He has lived his life with a level of personal grace that is almost unmatched. And that grace has moved him to bind the wounds between the Church and Judaism, and between Christendom and the followers of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). And to think that a mere solitary man could have such a healing effect speaks to his greatness in ways that, above all else, reminds us that he is a Christian man, and dedicated his life to walking the path of Christ.
So it is with abounding sadness that we now mark the final hours of this astonishing man. His life was exemplary, and serves, as he always did, as a model for our highest aspirations.
May our Catholic friends find this time of sorrow and loss eased by the knowledge that he lived his life well, and helped relieve the suffering of millions.
I offer these words in friendship and in respect.
May you find peace.
(0) comments
Karol Josef Wojtyla, Pope John Paul II, Vicarius Filii Dei, is now nearing that moment that we must all, in time, approach. But what distinguishes him from most others is the affection, respect and love that he has inspired during his 26-year Papacy. He is an accomplished poet, linguist, philosopher, and has had a unique and tremendous influence on some of the pivotal events in the 20th Century.
He has lived his life with a level of personal grace that is almost unmatched. And that grace has moved him to bind the wounds between the Church and Judaism, and between Christendom and the followers of the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). And to think that a mere solitary man could have such a healing effect speaks to his greatness in ways that, above all else, reminds us that he is a Christian man, and dedicated his life to walking the path of Christ.
So it is with abounding sadness that we now mark the final hours of this astonishing man. His life was exemplary, and serves, as he always did, as a model for our highest aspirations.
May our Catholic friends find this time of sorrow and loss eased by the knowledge that he lived his life well, and helped relieve the suffering of millions.
I offer these words in friendship and in respect.
May you find peace.
(0) comments
