Posted on 11/17/2007 9:40:53 AM PST by goldstategop
So Americans should be thankful they have one of the last functioning nation-states. Europeans, because they've been so inept at exercising it, no longer believe in national sovereignty, whereas it would never occur to Americans not to. This profoundly different attitude to the nation-state underpins, in turn, Euro-American attitudes to transnational institutions such as the United Nations.
But on this Thanksgiving the rest of the world ought to give thanks to American national sovereignty, too. When something terrible and destructive happens – a tsunami hits Indonesia, an earthquake devastates Pakistan – the United States can project itself anywhere on the planet within hours and start saving lives, setting up hospitals and restoring the water supply.
Aside from Britain and France, the Europeans cannot project power in any meaningful way anywhere. When they sign on to an enterprise they claim to believe in – shoring up Afghanistan's fledgling post-Taliban democracy – most of them send token forces under constrained rules of engagement that prevent them doing anything more than manning the photocopier back at the base.
If America were to follow the Europeans and maintain only shriveled attenuated residual military capacity, the world would very quickly be nastier and bloodier, and far more unstable. It's not just Americans and Iraqis and Afghans who owe a debt of thanks to the U.S. soldier but all the Europeans grown plump and prosperous in a globalized economy guaranteed by the most benign hegemon in history.
That said, Thanksgiving isn't about the big geopolitical picture, but about the blessings closer to home.
(Excerpt) Read more at ocregister.com ...
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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Every morning when I put up my flag, I thank God that my grandparents had the courage and foresight to come to the United States from Germany, England, and Wales, and that I am an American.
I second MS’s sentiments, being the son of refugees from Europe’s most recent totalitarian phases; but Europe has a tendency to project many of its ills onto the US, its benefactor. (Those ills include festering/erupting Islamofascism and an undercurrent of anti-semitism.) There are hopeful signs too (e.g., Sarkozy) but the overall trend is not the direction we’d like to see.
I’m glad my great-grandparents came here, making me third-generation American.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Mark Steyn mentions that America and the world would be in deep doo doo if America copied the europeans and scaled back its military. He also states that the europeans have prospered under America’s protection.
With the recent exception of Sarkozy’s France, europe is just plain ungrateful for what America has offered. Which underscores the fact that none of those european countries has a Thanksgiving Day of its own.
Interesting comment in light of Europe’s (especially Italy’s) imploding demographics. I have to travel there in a few months. My impression thus far is that they have lost something spiritually, perhaps several decades ago. The media and contacts I do have seem to view the US as a place run by religious “extremists” who handle snakes. I expected a more educated and informed view of the US and its religious. Che, on the otherhand, gets plaudits — from European adults. Yikes.
btt
Excuse me, but has Mark Steyn heard about the invasion from the south; the marches in our streets by illegal aliens; the border patrol agents in prison? Has he heard the President call the Minutemen vigilantes?
Someone is out of touch with what's going on around here.
Awesome Mark Steyn BUMP!!!
However, I would always say to my friends - "So ask yourself. What would the world be today if there was no USA? That's not a self proud, arrogant boast. That's a comment on world security - past and present."
There will always be super powers with various agendas. I thank my lucky (50) stars that one like my country is one.
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A friend of mine at work just turned 50. Another friend was giving him a hard time and e-mailing the whole office that “Dave” had just turned 50.
I replied back “In 19 countries in the world, the average person is dead before they hit 50. It’s great that Dave can be happy and healthy when turning 50. It’s great that we live in this country!”
We have much to be thankful for.
My tagline...
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Steyn bump
I just found out my American ancestors are decended from the Mayflower groups. Exciting and interesting. Hubby, on the other hand, was third-generation. His people came from Bohemia in the 1850's and 60's. America is such a great place. I'm so proud to be American!
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