Posted on 06/07/2015 6:59:00 AM PDT by LS
In honor of the D-Day anniversary, I watched "American Sniper" again. While I understand all the "greatest generaion" talk, there are two facts: first, they did back then what they had to do. There simply was no choice. They did it very well, and with the utmost courage. Second, I don't think any soldier then was an greater than any soldier today, or any braver. While Chris Kyle was no ordinary G.I., the Marines and Army forces he fought with showed no less valor or skill than the men who hit the beaches at Normandy.
Which brings me to this thought: any discussion of America today generates the usual "America is in the toilet" talk. As a historian, I can tell you that these sentiments were every bit as commonplace in 1777, 1797, 1837, or almost any other date one cares to select. There were armed rebellions against the U.S. government in 1787, 1791, a near secession in 1814-15, serious depressions in 1791, 1819, 1837, 1857, and of course Civil War. In 1889-92, dissatisfaction with the state of the United States led to the formation of a large third party that demanded free money (inflation), and garnered over a million votes in a presidential election.
After watching "American Sniper" again, I am reminded that in 1776 cartoonists painted pictures of a weak and enfeebled Continental Army, or that Mexican generals insisted they would march into Washington D.C. in three weeks after war started in 1846, or that EVERY NATION IN EUROPE thought Spain would win the Spanish-American War. Letters from German officers in 1917 showed that they thought the American forces would be so inept as to not make a difference.
Most of all, I am reminded that an army of lambs led by a lion is more to be feared than an army of lions led by a lamb. Right now, we have neither: we have a nation (potentially) of lions led by jackals and vultures.
Now, before anyone jumps in to say that no particular person on the horizon is an Alexander or William Wallace or Ronald Reagan, let me point out that Robert the Bruce, who gained Scotland's independence, was at one point seen as no better than any other clan leader, and after defeats was not only on the run, but was absolutely alone in a cave, his wife and daughter in wooden prison cells dangling from a castle wall. Leaders develop over time---most don't spring from the cradle with greatness apparent. Reagan led and led and led---and practiced and practiced, first as a student protestor against budget cuts at Eureka, then as head of the Screen Actor's Guild, then as governor of California, then, after defeat and in the wilderness, polishing his intellectual positions and honing his message, as our greatest 20th century president.
We hear it said that conservative positions are not the majority view any more. Issue by issue, that is false. It is only in the concept of "the culture" where we have been convinced we are losing. Even if it were true (and it is not) that conservative positions are in the minority, history is replete with small groups who proved victorious over vast multitudes in battle as well as politics. Gideon was told by God to winnow his army down from 30,000 to 300 true believers. Lenin managed to capture a nation of more than 100 million with an estimated 20,000 hard-core followers. A mere 120 men at Roarke's Drift defeated an army of 5,000 Zulus; the same number of men at the Alamo were overrun by a technologically and numerically superior force, but so crippled Santa Anna that he soon lost the war.
I believe the United States is a nation of lions like Chris Kyle, awaiting a lion to lead them. When that happens, we won't be talking about the "Chinese threat." The Chinese will be saying "Holy s@*t. Watch out for the Americans. (Translated, of course)
AMEN!
Good pep talk! Thanks!
I like your style.
We have to also look at it the other way around too....right now the immoral and takers are being led by the lions albeit we out number them. My guess is almost every member of FR is a lion waiting for a leader to emerge.
Hear, hear! very uplifting.
You know, you’re right. Rush has been pointing out that the homosexuals number about 2% right now and are controlling 100% of the culture. Time to say STOP.
No one has called them the “greatest soldiers”. Thee phrase captures the spirit of a nation, including the home front, and how everyone did their part to ensure a future vision they all shared.
Hear...hear...Can I post that in my Facebook?
I understand. But I even challenge the notion that that generation was the “greatest” generation. We all have different challenges. The tactics that won WW II are not suitable for confronting modern China or Islamic radicalism, any more than the Civil War’s tactics were suitable for World War II. Nor do I think people then contributed more-—or less-—than people would be willing to today. It all depends on what you’re asked to do, and by whom.
The movie "Gangs of New York" has some pretty accurate depictions of the struggles on both sides. I don't find those Irish a bit different than the Wal-Mart cell phone people.
Sure. I already posted it on FB under my name, so feel free to friend and share (Larry Schweikart)
Some uplifting reading. Thanks Larry.
I hope your faith is not misplaced. But it does help to see our current plight in its proper historical context.
What is a Wal-Mart cell phone people?
My dad was a 22 year old LT(j.g.) in charge of an LCT on Utah Beach. He had an Army Engineer company with bulldozers and TNT.
I agree with you.People really don’t know what they’re capable of until they are thrust into the situation.Men say”I could never do what those guys did,or I’m not the man my father or uncle was.”I say don’t sell yourself short.
Thanks LS. Like you I am an educator at the college level. Lately I’ve despaired over the incompetence of our foreign policy, the continual losses in the culture wars and the lack of engagement by fellow conservatives. Your pep talk reminds me to keep things in perspective. Thanks again, I needed that...
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