Our Distraction Will Be Our Destruction
By Debbie Daniel (05/14/04)
We have played right into the hands of our enemy; they could take us now, line us up for mass executions, and we’d still be pointing our finger at who was to blame.
As horrible as that sounds, there’s a truth in it that’s chilling.
There has been such a barrage of dissension, that just when I think we have one situation under control, another pops up.
We’ve become so blinded by commissions and interrogations that we wouldn’t see a “747” coming at us.
Now I know why most people don’t want to get involved in this discourse, but I implore you, my friends, this is no longer political . . . it’s life and death.
Osama bin Laden is beating the drum and moving in a little closer everyday. I can feel it, and if I sit still long enough, I can almost hear the drum beat.
I imagine our rumblings have given a positive “thumbs up” to the terrorists; the latest debacle with prisoner abuse is enough to make the enemy see victory in his cross hairs, and turning on the President of the United States by his own people is just the frosting on the cake. Why, they couldn’t have orchestrated a defeat any better than this game plan we’ve laid out for them.
They smell victory and it smells good. It’s like blood-thirsty lions waiting for the kill.
If I didn’t know any better, I would think we had set our own trap.
The Bible says in Mark 3:25, “If a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” And we’re divided.
The terrorists know there’s more infighting right here in the United States than any fighting going on daily in Iraq . . . and they love it.
There are valid points, credible arguments, and legitimate gripes for all that is right or wrong about this war we’re fighting . . . but to what end? Our lives?
Who amongst us is trained in the “ways of terrorism?” None of us has any idea what a demented mind will do if given the opportunity. And yet we seem to always open the door to embolden confidence in our enemy.
Only those terrorists amongst us now are the ones who are waiting for the signal to move, and they know exactly what to do. Are we ready? It’s just a matter of time.
If I didn’t think it was so serious, I would laugh at myself and then cry for even broaching this topic. I would say “I’m sorry,” if I didn’t think it was so real.
One of the most accomplished and respected football coaches this country has ever known was Vince Lombardi. He led the Green Bay Packers in victory to six division titles, five NFL championships, and two Super Bowls with an overall record of 98-30-4. Even the Super Bowl Championship trophy is named for him, so you can imagine how great he must have been.
Coach Lombardi was remembered for his famous sayings, and one in particular that has always stood out in my mind is: “Gentlemen, this is a football.”
When I was young, I thought that was a strange comment to make to a team of professional football players, but its simplicity is what makes it so powerful.
The two most important points I took from that single comment was: You always have to get back to the basics of the game, and you can never take your eye off the ball if you’re going to win.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re at war, but we’ve taken our eye off the enemy. If we’re going to win, we cannot be distracted. If we’re going to win, we must be united.
Americans are not really thinking about killing or being killed. In fact, being “right” is more important.
It wasn’t that George Bush didn’t apologize for the abuse of prisoners; he just didn’t apologize the “right” way. You have to utter the exact words, “I am sorry,” before it is recognized as an apology.
I’ve been amused at some of the e-mails I’ve received this week from people who want me to know they are “right.”
The comments ranged from: Pat Tillman was an “idiot” that died in vain – he got what was coming to him – to Hillary Clinton insisting the Clinton administration deserved credit for U.S. successes, and Bush should thank Bill for the military.
I could only sit back and think, “What kind of nation have we become?”
Everyone has a better idea . . . we’re resisting what our government asks of us, because half the country will not accept the fact that what George Bush is doing is “right.” “He’s all wrong,” they say.
If we’re not careful, we are going to question, challenge, argue, and debate every issue; getting nothing accomplished, except perhaps, our demise.
It’s not going to be just a couple of towers next time, so I don’t know why we keep deluding ourselves into believing we need to be friendly; we have become obsessed in wanting these middle easterners to like us.
They only march closer.
The outcry is that our fighting men and women have been “de-moralized” by the few that have stained their name, and the whole nation is in an uproar. Once again . . . divided!
Yes, I agree it’s wrong – and the pictures are abhorrent – but it’s just one more feather in the enemy’s proverbial cap. And the beat goes on . . . .
One last comment from that great coach, Vince Lombardi: “Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, and a civilization work.”
Sounds like pretty sound advice. I hope it’s not too late.
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