The Way Forward?

As we prepare to hear President Obama’s speech on the way forward in Afghanistan, let me put forward what I believe it is that we need to hear:

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

For those who may not remember, these were the words of another Democratic President, John F. Kennedy, in his Inaugural Address on January 20, 1961.

Anything short of this is unacceptable, and not in accordance with the American spirit. And if these words, or a similar message is spoken, then it will be up to the American people to insure the performance of it.

This is no world for wimps. We need strong leadership.

UN-AMERICAN?

The recent decision by the Attorney General to try the 911 terrorists in our civilian court system is one more display of gross incompetence demonstrated by the current administration.

This couldn’t be more plainly demonstrated than Eric Holder’s testimony in front of the Senate. When asked if he knew of any case in our history when prisoners captured on foreign soil were ever tried in our criminal court system, his answer was, “I don’t know, I’ll have to look into that.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Here you have the Attorney General of the United States making a legal decision with no idea of the historical context of the issue. Any novice law student could tell you that’s the first place you go when considering the legality of an issue. That is, of course, if you have any regard or respect for the system that has produced the greatest nation on the face of the earth.

The reality is that this current administration has shown nothing but contempt for our systems and our institutions. Why do you think their theme is “change!”

If Americanism means identification with our history, our traditions, our principles and institutions, then it becomes quite apparent that this administration is quite frankly, very un-American.

Their vision is to see a fundamentally changed society where the perceived injustices of the past will be made right. They want reparations for the disadvantaged, and they will decide who will be classified as such. For example, the poor prisoners of Guantanamo who have been so deprived of their liberty for so many years. We must give them justice and let the world see that we care. This is naïve, and ignorant of world history and human nature.

We must restore leadership that is dedicated to preserving the principles that are unique to our American heritage, or we will surely see change, but it won’t be for the better.