The thought underlying this paragraph quintessentially embodies the negativism that pervades the media. We don't want any bumps in the road; we don't want to have to persevere or sacrifice. It's the American 30 minute sitcom mentality. Let's get everything wrapped up nice and neat and get on to the next show.
Heaven help the world if these people had been around during World War II. Can you imagine the carping after Bataan and Corregidor, after the fall of Wake Island, after losing the Lexington in the Coral Sea, after the heavy losses in Ironbottom Sound, after the sinking of the destroyer that claimed the lives of the 5 Sullivan brothers. The character of this country has unquestionably changed for the worse. I seriously question whether the United States has the fortitude to persevere with the difficult tasks that lie ahead. We are about to find out in this election if the core of this country has gone so soft, has become so thoroughly rotted that we are unwilling to fight the battle against terrorism to the end. God help us.
Brooks' brilliance is that he lives in the NYTimes soup. He has to respond to it. But he turns it on its head so that the illogic of the NYTimes and their despair is exposed as needless pessimism.
Of *course* we make mistakes, get over-optimistic, lose our way... that is the way of any great and difficult enterprise.... Brooks is pounding into the Liberal Class the point you make.... we "muddled" mightily in WWII as well, did we not? our first engagement in North Africa was horrible. and you mention ...
"Can you imagine the carping after Bataan and Corregidor, after the fall of Wake Island, after losing the Lexington in the Coral Sea, after the heavy losses in Ironbottom Sound, after the sinking of the destroyer that claimed the lives of the 5 Sullivan brothers."
Yup!!! We've been through much worse.
" The character of this country has unquestionably changed for the worse." Nah, just the character of the media.