Thoughts of an American
We, Americans, are an erratic people. If you look at our history, we have been in one war or another for over a third of the time we have been a nation. If you ask most Americans, they will tell you that in the last fifty years or so, all the wars we have been in, were by choice. Before that, we had always been forced into war. They are right and wrong at the same time.
Let me explain the last statement by using a few examples. Our country was founded by war, a war of choice. We chose to be free from the tyrannical and oppressive rule of England. We fought for our freedom. The War of 1812 was, again by choice. We could have let British warships stop and board our ships, take the crews sailing them, or fight for our rights to world commerce and the security of our citizens. As you know, we decided to fight. The Civil War was a choice of dividing our nation into two countries or keeping one nation; we fought to keep it whole. The Spanish-American war was also a choice. We chose to liberate the people of Cuba from the oppressive rule of Spain and the enlargement of territory we controlled was an added bonus. That was known as imperialism, all the greater nations were doing it, such as England, France, Germany and Spain. We could have stood by and let the Spanish have their way with that small country just fifty miles from our shores, but as Americans, we felt everyone has the right to have free rule over their own government. So, did we have a choice? Yes, and I think we chose correctly. By the way, we gave almost every territory we gained from Spain their freedom. That is more than I can say for the other countries. Now, on to the larger wars; In World War I, we were pushed, in a way. But we had the choice to stand by and let our allies fall at the hands of our enemies. We wouldn’t have been a good ally in that case, now would we? In World War II, the Japanese pushed us, yes, but if they hadn’t, we still would have chosen to enter the war. Europe had fallen and England would have fallen soon had we not. Even before we officially entered the war, we were the suppliers of the material England needed to remain free and fight. We chose to help and stop the oppression. We assisted the world to see freedom, not oppression as a conscious choice.
That takes us the wars of the last half century. Why were we in Korea and Vietnam? That is an easier question to answer than you might think. We chose to help those countries remain free from the yoke of Communism. You see, by the mere definition of American people and our constitution, everyone has the right to be free. Was our involvement a choice or a mandate of American culture? Now for our last wars, in the Middle East, that requires a twofold answer. We are there to help free an oppressed and subjugated people, but also to stop any future terrorist attacks on our soil and to our citizens. Our soil is not only these United States, but also every embassy and military base we have throughout the world. There are American citizens everywhere and their safety is paramount. Some say this war is all about oil, I say not really. If there were no more oil tomorrow, the United States could and would survive. We have other resources that can be used. We really do not need the foreign oil in the long run of things and might be better off without it.
Looking back on all the wars in which we have taken part, you can get an idea of the way people felt about them by the music. In the earlier years, they were supportive of our country being right. Yankee Doodle Dandy was a way to thumb our noses at British rule. Our National Anthem came from the War of 1812, written by a prisoner of war, held on a ship controlled by the British, no less. The Battle Hymn of the Republic came from the Civil War. In the World Wars, the songs were more on the lines of the coming peace and everyone coming home such as the songs, ‘Over There’ or ‘I’ll be seeing you’. The Korean War was mostly forgotten in music. America was in an age of prosperity. During Vietnam things changed, the songs were of protest. Now, we are back to the patriotic songs of our early years as a new country, but added is our right in what is needed and the distain for those against us. History repeats itself. We are telling the world to stop messing with us and just have peace, or we WILL step in and solve the problem.
Looking back on our history, the only wars we did NOT win, were the ones we did NOT finish. Korea was not finished, only a temporary cease fire, not a peace. We still have problems there and maintain a fighting force of American men and women. Look at the news; we will more than likely have to finish it sometime. In Vietnam, we didn’t fight an all out war there either. Politics got in the way and the country fell. Will we have to go back? The Middle East, we didn’t finish it the first time around and look where we are today.
Many people ask the question, ‘Why us, why always us?’ The answer to that question is: we are the most powerful nation on earth at this time in history. Almost every nation in the world looks to us for leadership and money. They try to emulate a lifestyle similar to ours. If we isolate ourselves and say ‘it’s not our job’, or ‘it’s not our right to interfere’ then we really will have a problem. Any two bit thug can start something and get followers to join him… That’s what happened just before World War II. If we don’t stand up for what this nation is based upon, no one will. Yes, it costs American lives, but the cost is small compared to what it could, and will cost if we stop now. Half hearted measures don’t help; they only create more problems later.
It’s sad to say, but too often, the only road to peace is the road of war. It’s a toll road and the price is human lives. Peace and freedom are not things given, but fought for and won. It is only by our freedoms that the Anti-War groups have the right to say what they do. I don’t like what they say, but I applaud their rights to say them. They too should applaud our country plus the men and women of the military for those same rights, as they pay the price of that freedom every day. The United States of America is the standard bearer of freedom. If there are any here that don’t like this standard, let them go someplace where there are no freedoms. I bet they would soon be crying and screaming bloody murder for our help.
Remember, there are wanna-be despots just waiting for us to stop helping so they can crawl out into the light, like roaches, to take our freedoms away. Do we have a choice?
Ed Williams
Edcat01@tds.net
©
Let me explain the last statement by using a few examples. Our country was founded by war, a war of choice. We chose to be free from the tyrannical and oppressive rule of England. We fought for our freedom. The War of 1812 was, again by choice. We could have let British warships stop and board our ships, take the crews sailing them, or fight for our rights to world commerce and the security of our citizens. As you know, we decided to fight. The Civil War was a choice of dividing our nation into two countries or keeping one nation; we fought to keep it whole. The Spanish-American war was also a choice. We chose to liberate the people of Cuba from the oppressive rule of Spain and the enlargement of territory we controlled was an added bonus. That was known as imperialism, all the greater nations were doing it, such as England, France, Germany and Spain. We could have stood by and let the Spanish have their way with that small country just fifty miles from our shores, but as Americans, we felt everyone has the right to have free rule over their own government. So, did we have a choice? Yes, and I think we chose correctly. By the way, we gave almost every territory we gained from Spain their freedom. That is more than I can say for the other countries. Now, on to the larger wars; In World War I, we were pushed, in a way. But we had the choice to stand by and let our allies fall at the hands of our enemies. We wouldn’t have been a good ally in that case, now would we? In World War II, the Japanese pushed us, yes, but if they hadn’t, we still would have chosen to enter the war. Europe had fallen and England would have fallen soon had we not. Even before we officially entered the war, we were the suppliers of the material England needed to remain free and fight. We chose to help and stop the oppression. We assisted the world to see freedom, not oppression as a conscious choice.
That takes us the wars of the last half century. Why were we in Korea and Vietnam? That is an easier question to answer than you might think. We chose to help those countries remain free from the yoke of Communism. You see, by the mere definition of American people and our constitution, everyone has the right to be free. Was our involvement a choice or a mandate of American culture? Now for our last wars, in the Middle East, that requires a twofold answer. We are there to help free an oppressed and subjugated people, but also to stop any future terrorist attacks on our soil and to our citizens. Our soil is not only these United States, but also every embassy and military base we have throughout the world. There are American citizens everywhere and their safety is paramount. Some say this war is all about oil, I say not really. If there were no more oil tomorrow, the United States could and would survive. We have other resources that can be used. We really do not need the foreign oil in the long run of things and might be better off without it.
Looking back on all the wars in which we have taken part, you can get an idea of the way people felt about them by the music. In the earlier years, they were supportive of our country being right. Yankee Doodle Dandy was a way to thumb our noses at British rule. Our National Anthem came from the War of 1812, written by a prisoner of war, held on a ship controlled by the British, no less. The Battle Hymn of the Republic came from the Civil War. In the World Wars, the songs were more on the lines of the coming peace and everyone coming home such as the songs, ‘Over There’ or ‘I’ll be seeing you’. The Korean War was mostly forgotten in music. America was in an age of prosperity. During Vietnam things changed, the songs were of protest. Now, we are back to the patriotic songs of our early years as a new country, but added is our right in what is needed and the distain for those against us. History repeats itself. We are telling the world to stop messing with us and just have peace, or we WILL step in and solve the problem.
Looking back on our history, the only wars we did NOT win, were the ones we did NOT finish. Korea was not finished, only a temporary cease fire, not a peace. We still have problems there and maintain a fighting force of American men and women. Look at the news; we will more than likely have to finish it sometime. In Vietnam, we didn’t fight an all out war there either. Politics got in the way and the country fell. Will we have to go back? The Middle East, we didn’t finish it the first time around and look where we are today.
Many people ask the question, ‘Why us, why always us?’ The answer to that question is: we are the most powerful nation on earth at this time in history. Almost every nation in the world looks to us for leadership and money. They try to emulate a lifestyle similar to ours. If we isolate ourselves and say ‘it’s not our job’, or ‘it’s not our right to interfere’ then we really will have a problem. Any two bit thug can start something and get followers to join him… That’s what happened just before World War II. If we don’t stand up for what this nation is based upon, no one will. Yes, it costs American lives, but the cost is small compared to what it could, and will cost if we stop now. Half hearted measures don’t help; they only create more problems later.
It’s sad to say, but too often, the only road to peace is the road of war. It’s a toll road and the price is human lives. Peace and freedom are not things given, but fought for and won. It is only by our freedoms that the Anti-War groups have the right to say what they do. I don’t like what they say, but I applaud their rights to say them. They too should applaud our country plus the men and women of the military for those same rights, as they pay the price of that freedom every day. The United States of America is the standard bearer of freedom. If there are any here that don’t like this standard, let them go someplace where there are no freedoms. I bet they would soon be crying and screaming bloody murder for our help.
Remember, there are wanna-be despots just waiting for us to stop helping so they can crawl out into the light, like roaches, to take our freedoms away. Do we have a choice?
These are just the thoughts of a proud American.
Ed Williams
Edcat01@tds.net
©
posted by Ed | 21:57
1 Comments:
ed,
i found that posting works for those who have a blogger membership. though, people may be able to post anonymously without one. not sure. will try.
augy
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