Posted on 10/16/2004 12:53:54 PM PDT by ezo4
MATTHEW MANWELLER'S COMMENTARY ON THIS ELECTION
Kirby Wilbur KVI - Seattle - 570 AM read this op-ed Friday morning 10/15/04 on the program. The commentary is from Matthew Manweller, a political science professor at Central Washington University. Here's the text of that commentary:
"In that this will be my last comlumn before the presidential election, there will be no sarcasm, no attempts at witty repartee. The topic is too serious, and the stakes are too high.
This November we will vote in the only election during our lifetime that will truly matter. Because America is at a once-in-a-generation crossroads, more than an election hangs in the balance. Down one path lies retreat, abdication and a reign of ambivalence. Down the other lies a nation that is aware of its past and accepts the daunting obligation its future demands. If we choose poorly, the consequences will echo through the next 50 years of history. If we, in a spasm of frustration, turn out the current occupant of the White House, the message to the world and ourselves will be two-fold.
First, we will reject the notion that America can do big things. Once a nation that tamed a frontier, stood down the Nazis and stood upon the moon, we will announce to the world that bringing democracy to the Middle East is too big a task for us. But more significantly, we will signal to future presidents that as voters, we are unwilling to tackle difficult challenges, preferring caution to boldness, embracing the mediocrity that has characterized other civilizations. The defeat of President Bush will send a chilling message to future presidents who may need to make difficult, yet unpopular decisions. America has always been a nation that rises to the demands of history regardless of the decisions. America has always been a nation that rises to the demands of history regardless of the costs or appeal. If we turn away from that legacy, we turn away from who we are.
Second, we inform every terrorist organization on the globe that the lesson of Somalia was well learned. In Somalia we showed terrorists that you don't need to defeat America on the battlefield when you can defeat them in the newsroom. They learned that a wounded America can become a defeated America. Twenty-four hour news stations and daily tracing polls will do the heavy lifting, turning a cut into a fatal blow. Except that Iraq is Somalia times 10. The election of John Kerry will serve notice to every terrorist in every cave that the soft underbelly of American power is the timidity of American voters. Terrorists will know that a steady stream of grizzly photos for CNN is all you need to break the will of the American people. Our own self-doubt will take it from there. Bin Laden will recognize that he can topple any American administration without setting foot on the homeland.
It is said that America's WWII generation is its "greatest generation." But my greatest fear is that it will become known as America's "last generation." Born in the bleakness of the Great Depression and hardened in the fire of WWII, they may be the last American generation that understands the meaning of duty, honor, and sacrifice. It is difficult to admit, but I know these terms are spoken with only hollow detachment by many (but not all) in my generation. Too many citizens today mistake "living in America" as "being an American." But America has always been more of an idea than a place. When you sign on, you do more than buy real estate. You accept a set of values and responsibilities. This November, my generation, which has been absent too long, must grasp that 100 years from now historians will look back at the election of 2004 and see it as the decisive election of our century. Depending on the outcome, they will describe it as the moment America joined the ranks of ordinary nations; or they will describe it as the moment the prodigal sons and daughters of the greatest generation accepted their burden as caretakers of the City on the Hill."
I like his remarks, but if we choose poorly there won't be 50 more years of history.
Word. Anyone from the MSM lurking?
Laud and credit. Well spoken.
Thanks ezoni. I had heard it on Kirby's show Fri while out and about. Very well versed and put. Have yet to hear better. It really is this important. Many do not beilieve but I do.
During recent weeks I have been thinking that perhaps the primary difference between President Bush and Kerry (and correspondingly the constituencies they represent) is that President Bush embodies the fundamental characteristics of what being an American is. While Kerry perhaps sees himself not as an American (that is, a United States American) but rather sees himself as a "global" or "international" person. His continual litany about "being" part of the "global" [community] and looking for satisfaction of a "global test" seems to scream that he doesn't really see himself as being like "us". He wants us to become European in our outlook and our approach to life.
This is totally opposite to what we are - what we are as a people. We are not talk-yourself-to-death types. We are doers and problem-solvers and innovators. When we stop being who we are we will have lost the essence of what has made our country unique and successful. We simply are not a people who easily acquiesce (sp?) or appease, or put up with nonsense. Kerry wants us to stop being who we fundamentally are. (Sorry to be so long-winded)
Received this by email a couple of days ago and have been impressed. So many Americans has risen to the challenge and found the power to express their views. I hope to read more of this man's writing in the future. We need to share this with more people
This is such a great article. It needs to be read by as many people as possible. An idea...can we reprint this, put a heading on it like READ THIS BEFORE YOU VOTE..PLEASE
and challenge every Freeper and conservative site to ask people to make 100 copies, and distribute them at your local mall or grocery store etc. I'm sure ready to do this...anyone else have other ideas?
bttt
Go to Central Washington University's website and see if you can find Matthew Manweller as a member of the faculty. Supposedly, this was published in the Ellensburg (WA) Daily Record. Go to THAT website and see if you can find any mention of this article.
More GOP dirty tricks. This is the spirit of the people behind this administration.
Good luck on reading more from Matthew Manweller. As far as I've been able to find, there's no such person. See for yourself at www.cwu.edu
It's a lie.
New Bush campaign slogan:
You can fool some of the people all of the time.
Those are the ones we want.
Political Science: Faculty and Staff
"..Mathew Manweller. Assistant Professor; BA in Economics from Whtiman College; MA in Political Science from the University of Montana; PhD in Political Science from the University of Oregon in 2003. Matt's research interests focus on constitutional law, democratic theory, and political economy. His more important skills and interests include fly fishing, backpacking, and ultimate frisbee. Matt's decision to move to Ellensburg represents a lifelong effort to stay as far away as possible from any city with a population over 50,000..."
His Website at The University(Professor Manweller’s Home Page )
"..Supposedly, this was published in the Ellensburg (WA) Daily Record. Go to THAT website and see if you can find any mention of this article..."
"..Yes, the Daily Record did in fact publish an Oct. 6 column by Central Washington University political science professor Mathew Manweller titled "Election Determines Fate of Nation." Due to the high demand for this column from around the country, the Daily Record has posted it on its website. The paper will leave it on the site until Oct. 27. Please see the link, Manweller, to the left. To contact Manweller, please email him at manwellerm@cwu.edu.."
Election determines fate of nation
"..More GOP dirty tricks. This is the spirit of the people behind this administration."
Eat Zot! and Die troll.
Thank you. I am so sick of the dirty tricks by the Kerry campaign. They truly are desperate.
Everyone - Get out that vote to soundly defeat Kerry!!!!!!
Admins got your back - bttt
Besides, read the words. They are truth and they are life. I'm glad someone exposed the canned "liberal" deception, but this article also stands on it's own merits, regardless of who the author is. Do you have any clue as to what is at stake on November 2nd? Try the movie "Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal". Kerry is a man that would literally sell out his own Mother to get more power. It is not just a 30 year story, it is just the beginning of his ongoing legacy of deception. He would sell out the American people as well. The thing I cannot understand is when did any of the subversive "liberal" politicians ever do you any favors? They always claim they will, but they never get around to it and the major media keeps you so distracted you never notice. Wakeup Bro, your country is swirling in the bowl. President Bush is desperately trying to save it because he loves this country. John Kerry is trying to secure the water rights before it is all gone!
Start looking at what President Bush had to deal with this past 4 years and what he has accomplished. Any moron can make a list of what hasn't been done. Try looking at what the man has done and what our precious men and women in uniform have accomplished. Try encouraging our country and building them up, instead of always tearing them down. What is wrong with this country...a bunch jobs showed up in the sixties and they never mature or go away or something.
Just do a modicum of research into John Kerry's true record. The man is literally nothing! He lies incessantly. He could be convicted of hundreds of counts of making false statements, solely on the basis of readily available public recordings...all in context! He exists for his own gratification...not yours. He is a traitor and once a traitor, always... The Swift Boat Vets are real people...real heros.
Listen, pay attention…our country depends on it. Don’t bother with ABS, CBS, NBS and CNNBS…yes, it is all owned by a tiny few and it has one big fat anti-American agenda. Remember, like the man said, America is not a place, it is an ideal. Stop trying to change it…change yourself or leave.
Hey way to shoot off your mouth without knowing the facts. A true testimony to the liberal agenda. Maybe you should run for president in 2008. The Democrats are always looking for a few good candidates who can sling mud with no facts to back it up. Most liberals probably read your comments and ran to tell everyone they know without checking for themselves to find out you are dead wrong. I don't see anymore posts from you?? Why not??
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.