2007 and President Bush ask this question: Is America worth Protecting?
By J. James Estrada (01/04/07)
In 2007, we, as a nation, have this question before us: Is America worth protecting? President Bush will soon announce a new strategy in Iraq. It is no secret. He will announce that it's time win and not time to withdraw. Bush will send more troops and make victory for the terrorists unreachable. This decision will be derided and lambasted by Democrats and weak-kneed Republicans in Congress.
Is America worth protecting? Critics argue the war in Iraq has nothing to do with American interests. On the contrary, the brilliant tactic of killing terrorists in Iraq instead of terrorists killing Americans in our cities, is winning the day. Bush is not alone in thinking that the American military, as it performs magnificently in Iraq, is doing the job it was constructed to do. Let me repeat, not alone. Despite the mainstream media and Democrat mantra of declaring the mission a hopeless failure, we, mainstream America, believe the cause is just and right. Is it time to hit it hard? Yes. Could it have been hit harder sooner? Yes. But the premise of fighting this war until it is won answers the question; America is worth protecting.
Recently I came across a remarkable piece of writing by the prototypical example of "mainstream America." Kenneth Campbell passed away a few years ago. He lived a simple and hard-working life in Idaho and Northern Arizona as a farmer and constable. This man married the love of his life, had and raised children, carried a gun to protect his family and neighbors, and had a deep and binding respect for this country.
The remainder of this column is what he wrote in January, 1988.
The Incredible Happening of the Most Unique Country in All of History is that of the United States of America
All people have treasures. The intelligent understand that though the monitory treasures are necessary and important there is a treasure far greater to protect and that treasure is freedom.
All through history there have been civilizations formed. People have banded together to form communities for a number of reasons. One reason would be for safety. At first there were no set ways of governing so common practice in the particular location became the accepted way. Usually the rule was that the strongest and most intelligent would rise up as leaders.
One problem became evident at the start, that problem was inherent jealous, greedy and selfish nature of mankind. This caused most of the leaders to devise ways to enslave the common citizens. Some of the leaders thought they were more important than the people they led.
Down through the years different types of government were set up, such as Dictatorships and Kingships, etc.
Most felt that the citizens had few rights and the common peoples were not important, only the furthering of the particular government or cause was important.
The citizens were kept ignorant and in most cases they were allowed only enough freedom to work and to exist.
If the oppressed tried to better them selves or rebel against the authorities and tried to change the situation, they were cut down and put into their place.
There came a time in history when the new land of America was opened up to all who wanted freedom, a chance for honor and dignity and to raise a family without fear of oppression. The leaders of this new land were honorable and brave and God-fearing people.
These leaders knew that if they set up a government like any of the governments of the past, the new dream would only evolve downward as did the government of the past in other lands.
So they came up with the new idea of government out of the people and all for the people. They set up many safeguards to assure the new freedoms would not be lost and that the new system of government would not fail.
The new leaders were honorable and had compassion for mankind; a strong belief in God and they believed that people should have a chance to live in peace and reap the rewards of their labor.
Since the founding of this great and unique country, many have defended with their lives this new concept and though they made many mistakes, they believed all people were created equal and that all had the God-given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They also believed people had the right to determine their own destiny to live their lives and be assured their children could live their lives without fear of oppression.
Never before had this type of government been tried and this writer feels it will not happen again. It was a one-time event in history.
If we were fortunate enough to live in this country at this time in history we should realize what we have and protect it with all our might; this great and wonderful land we call the United States of America.
J. James Estrada
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