WW2 followed the strongest period of "anti war" feelings in modern recorded history. The tremendous losses of WW1 created a true feeling of horror (and rightly so) regarding the prospect of war. The major european powers pursued a policy of appeasement and the US pursued a doctrine of isolationism. Remember we did not enter the war until our homeland was actually attacked.
This is earily similiar to our dealings with Al Quada which actually declared war on the US in the 1980's. If you were to look at Oliver Norths testimony to congress he specifically mentions Al-Quada and Bin Laden in testimony to Senator Al Gore....who scoffs at the potential threat to the US. We didnt "go to war" till we were hit on 9/11.
Please recognize that this war still rages globally. Democrat, Republican or Independent simply realize that a small but deadly group of increasingly sophisiticated people want to kill YOU. Their ability to gain control of governments and safe havens thru violence and intimidation only increase the real chance that you or someone you know will die in this ongoing conflict.
This is a different war and it will play out over decades not years. Our children will be fighting this conflict...and maybe theirs. Dont lose sight of this as we deal with other important issues...whoever we put in office needs to recognize the reality we face or our next "9/11" will be far worse for us all....
I get the sense that many of us simply do not have the perspective to recognize the potential price we pay for our liberty. War is not a two person sport, it only takes one to wage war. History shows us numerous examples....some are part fact like Troy. We really dont know the reality. Others like Carthage are well documented. The Carthogineans waged war 6 times against the Romans and had perhaps the greatest general in the recorded history of warfare....but lost once and literally dissappeared. The area's of North Africa we currently see as deserts were once the breadbasket of the world. The romans literally plowed salt into the entire empire of Carthage and turned it into a desert.
If you look at WW2 the US Marine Corps suffered horrendous casualties. The 2nd Marine Division suffered signicant losses at Tarawa, 72 out of the 125 landing craft in the 1st 3 waves were destroyed or disabled...
The 2nd &4th Marines sustained over 2000 casualties at Saipan on the 1st day alone....I dont think its possible for any of us to really comprehend the price we've paid.
I'll try and put in perspective by using the single most famous combat image of WW2. The raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi (it was actually the 2nd flag raised BTW). Of the 6 marines who are captured on film 3 died on Iwo Jima. A fourth was badly injured. Those 6 were among 310 men of "Easy Company" 2nd Battalion, 28th regiment, 5th Marine Division. Of the 310 men (Easy Company) who landed on Iwo Jima about 50 made it off the island alive. Just over 250 went up Suribachi on 23, Febuary 1945...27 men survived to reach the summit. Overall 2 out of 3 Marines who landed on Iwo Jima were killed or wounded.
The men and women of the United States Armed Forces stand in harms way on our behalf. I cannot understand why some feel the need to diminish the quality of their sacrifice. I have an email written by the CO of the marine unit in Falujah which suffered significant casualties during the 2nd gulf war....I'm not sure its correct to reprint it here (is really to the marines and those who love them)....but rest assured 99% of those who bear arms for your safety are there because they want to be......
-- Modified on 8/12/2006 8:50:15 PM
WW2 followed the strongest period of "anti war" feelings in modern recorded history. The tremendous losses of WW1 created a true feeling of horror (and rightly so) regarding the prospect of war. The major european powers pursued a policy of appeasement and the US pursued a doctrine of isolationism. Remember we did not enter the war until our homeland was actually attacked.
This is earily similiar to our dealings with Al Quada which actually declared war on the US in the 1980's. If you were to look at Oliver Norths testimony to congress he specifically mentions Al-Quada and Bin Laden in testimony to Senator Al Gore....who scoffs at the potential threat to the US. We didnt "go to war" till we were hit on 9/11.
Please recognize that this war still rages globally. Democrat, Republican or Independent simply realize that a small but deadly group of increasingly sophisiticated people want to kill YOU. Their ability to gain control of governments and safe havens thru violence and intimidation only increase the real chance that you or someone you know will die in this ongoing conflict.
This is a different war and it will play out over decades not years. Our children will be fighting this conflict...and maybe theirs. Dont lose sight of this as we deal with other important issues...whoever we put in office needs to recognize the reality we face or our next "9/11" will be far worse for us all....
Very well put this is a war we must win or life as we know it will never be the same
Wonderful post. Thank you.
I hold someone very near and dear to me who is preparing for her second tour in Iraq. While she defends us over there, let us all do what we can to protect and defend our precious freedoms here together. Do not allow fear to take hold of us. Dare to be honest and stand up here. I was talking to my soldier friend this morning. She is currently in Germany and she has made friends with several locals there. They told her that she was different than what they had previously thought about Americans. That she seemed so "free" compared to others. Their concensus was that we were very uptight and conservative, particularly regarding sex and our bodies. We are still unable to breast feed in public in many places. Women cannot bear their breasts here and enjoy the warmth of the sun as men do.
I went to the Fetish Ball here in Tucson last week and saw people expressing themselves and realized women have to put latex on their nipples in the dance clubs, and some were brave enough to wear latex paint to cover their breasts and dirty, dirty nipples. Why don't men have to do that when they are shirtless in public? I go to San Diego alot still, and for instance at a crowded outdoor bar on Pacific Beach, it is impossible not to be rubbing across one another. Are our breasts and nipples such of a health threat but men's aren't? There are still some areas where civil disobedience is called for, as well as confronting one another when it is necessary.
I love my country. But we must pay attention to our civil liberties here at the same time be supportive of our troops. The thread just below this one is one example of how our freedoms can be narrowed even by ourselves by passing out uninformed propoganda. This does not help us exercise our freedom but creates unnessary fear.
It does not show an example of bravery (I noticed infomaniac has deleted his/or her post) nor is it helpful.
Let us learn from and love each other in response to the sacrifices that are being made.
Jenni
-- Modified on 8/13/2006 3:24:35 PM
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