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Your Most Obedient Humble Servant, GW
The Reality Check ^ | 17 August 2005 | Nancy Salvato

Posted on 08/17/2005 10:28:10 PM PDT by Lando Lincoln

More than one person is credited with the quote, "A nation which forgets its past is condemned to repeat it." More dangerous –even- is the idea of rewriting a past because we've forgotten the context in which the events took place.

The Reason for War

GW: "Nothing short of Independence, it appears to me, can possibly do. A peace on other terms would, if I may be allowed the expression, be a peace of War. The injuries we have received from the British Nation were so unprovoked—have been so great and so many, that they can never be forgotten. —Our fidelity as a people—our gratitude, our character as men are opposed to a coalition with them as subjects, but in case of the last extremity. Were we easily to accede to terms of dependence, No nation upon future occasions, let the oppressions of Britain be never so flagrant and unjust would interpose for our relief, or at least they would do it with a cautious reluctance and upon conditions most probably that would be hard, if not dishonourable to us."

GWB: "Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. All of us want peace. The threat to peace does not come from those who seek to enforce the just demands of the civilized world; the threat to peace comes from those who flout those demands. If we have to act, we will act to restrain the violent, and defend the cause of peace. And by acting, we will signal to outlaw regimes that in this new century, the boundaries of civilized behavior will be respected."

The Greatest Military in the World

GW: "No history, now extant, can furnish an instance of an army's suffering such uncommon hardships as ours have done, and bearing them with the same patience and Fortitude—To see men without Cloat to cover their nakedness—without Blankets to lay on—without Shoes, by which their Marches might be traced by the Blood from their feet—and almost as often without Provisions as with; Marching through frost & Snow, and at Christmas taking up their Winter Quarters within a days March of the enemy, without a House or Hutt to cover them till they could be built & submitting to it without a murmur, is a Mark of patience & obedience which in my opinion can scarce be parallel'd."

GWB: "The dangers are real, as our soldiers, and sailors, airmen, and Marines fully understand. Yet, no military has ever been better prepared to meet these challenges. Members of our Armed Forces also understand why they may be called to fight. They know that retreat before a dictator guarantees even greater sacrifices in the future. They know that America's cause is right and just: liberty for an oppressed people, and security for the American people. And I know something about these men and women who wear our uniform: they will complete every mission they are given with skill, and honor, and courage."

Fulfilling Their Destiny

GW: "But, as it has been a kind of destiny that has thrown me upon this Service, I shall hope that my undertaking of it, designd to answer some good purpose—You might, and I suppose did perceive, from the Tenor of my letters, that I was apprehensive I could not avoid this appointment, as I did not even pretend o intimate when I should return —that was the case—it was utterly out of my power to refuse this appointment without exposing my Character to such censures as would have reflected dishonour upon myself, and given pain to my friends—this I am sure could not, and ought not to be pleasing to you, & must have lessend me considerably in my own esteem. I shall rely therefore, confidently, on that Providence which has heretofore preservd, & been bountiful to me, not doubting but that I shall return safe to you in the fall—I shall feel no pain from the Toil, or the danger of the Campaign—My unhappiness will flow, from the uneasiness I know you will feel at being left alone—I therefore beg of you to summon your whole fortitude & Resolution, and pass your time as agreeably as possible—nothing will give me so much sincere satisfaction as to hear this, and to hear it from your own Pen."

GWB: "We did not ask for this mission, but we will fulfill it. And I pledge to you that America will never relent on this war against terror. There will be times of swift, dramatic action. There will be times of steady, quiet progress. Over time, with patience, and precision, the terrorists will be pursued. They will be isolated, surrounded, cornered, until there is no place to run, or hide, or rest. Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign unlike any other we have ever seen."

You're either with us or Against us

GW: "It cannot be fairly supposed, that she [France] will hesitate a moment to declare War, if she is given to understand, in a proper manner, that a reunion of the two Countries may be the consequence of procrastination. An European War, and an European alliance would effectually answer our purposes. If the step, I now mention, should be eligible, dispatches ought to be sent at once by different conveyances, for fear of accidents. I confess it appears to me, a measure of this kind could not but be productive of the most salutary consequences."

GWB: "And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. Our nation has been put on notice. We're not immune from attack. We will take defensive measures against terrorism to protect Americans."

Intelligence Measures

GW: If possible, I should also suppose it absolutely necessary, to obtain good intelligence from England—pointing out the true springs of this manuvre of ministry—the preparations of force they are making—the prospects there are of raising it—the amount, and when it may be expected.

Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ): “I feel compelled to point out three obvious facts: One, an intelligence failure is not synonymous with a misuse of intelligence. Two, this intelligence issue does not fundamentally change the case against Saddam Hussein. Three, since Iraq itself had provided documentation to the United Nations on its production of chemical and biological agents, the question is not whether but what happened to the stockpiles."

The Ring must be destroyed

GW: "Men are naturally fond of peace and there are symptoms, which may authorise an opinion, that the people of America, are pretty generally weary of the present war. It is doubtful, whether many of our friends might not incline to an accomodation of the grounds held out, or which may be, rather than persevere in a contest for independance."

GWB: "The only way our enemies can succeed is if we forget the lessons of September the 11th, if we abandon the Iraqi people to men like Zarqawi, and if we yield the future of the Middle East to men like Bin Laden. For the sake of our nation's security, this will not happen on my watch."

Troops Must Come First

GW: "The necessity of putting the Army upon a respectable footing, both as to numbers and constitution, is now become more essential than ever. This will conduce to inspire the Country with confidence—enable those at the head of affairs to consult the public honor and interest, notwithstanding the defection of some and temporary inconsistancy and irresolution of others, who may desire to compromise the dispute; and if a Treaty should be deemed expedient, will put it in their power to insist upon better terms, than they could otherwise expect."

Congressman Harold Ford: "More than two years after the start of the war in Iraq, it is distressing to hear yet again that our troops, who are risking their lives on behalf of American security and freedom, lack the basic equipment needed to carry out their mission. In addition, I have long believed that with the numerous challenges faced by our military - including the war in Iraq and our presence in Afghanistan and elsewhere as part of the global war on terror - now is not the time to close military bases. I know vacation is important, but I am writing to urge you to get back to Washington to get this armor issue resolved, hear out your generals in Iraq who want more troops on the ground and postpone the implementation of BRAC recommendations."

Volunteer Army

GW: "I refer you to my Letter to yourself & Colo. Lee, which accompanies this, upon the subject of money for such of the old Virginia Troops, as have or may reinlist. In respect to the Volunteer plan, I scarce know what opinion to give at this time. The propriety of a requisition, on this Head, will depend altogether, on our operations. Such kind of Troops should not be called for, but upon the spur of the occasion, and at the moment of executing an enterprize. They will not endure a long service, and of all Men in the military line, they are the most impatient of restraint and necessary government."

Col. Oliver North: "Current reenlistment rates indicate that those who are serving today -- and those who are volunteering to serve tomorrow -- still believe that this country is worth defending. Thankfully, in this war where every American is a terrorist target, there are still enough bright, tough, young Americans willing to stand up and fight." Fifth Column

GW: The Enemy are beginning to play a game, more dangerous than their efforts by arms, tho these will not be remitted in the smallest degree, and which threatens a fatal blow to American independence, and to her liberties of course: They are endeavouring to ensnare the people by specious allurements of peace. It is not improbable they have had such abundant cause to be tired of the war, that they may be sincere, in the terms they offer, which tho far short of our pretensions, will be extremely flattering to minds that do not penetrate far into political consequences; but whether they are sincere or not they may be equally destructive, for to discerning men, nothing can be more evident, than that a peace on the principles of dependance however limited, after what has happened, would be to the last degree dishonourable and ruinous. It is however much to be apprehended, that the idea of such an event will have a very powerful effect upon the country, and if not combatted with the greatest address, will serve at least to produce supineness and disunion."

Knight Ridder Newspapers : "Bedeviled by the mounting casualties in Iraq and increasingly confused by the mixed messages emanating from war leaders, Americans in large numbers are losing confidence in the mission. New polls report that for the first time, a majority of Americans reject President Bush's contention that the war over there is making us safer over here. Indeed, barring major immediate progress in Iraq, some suggest that 2005 may well be remembered as the year when public opinion went south and never came back - a mood shift roughly analogous to 1968, when domestic confidence in the Vietnam War began its irreversible slide."

GWB: "The troops here and across the world are fighting a global war on terror. The war reached our shores on September the 11th, 2001. The terrorists who attacked us -- and the terrorists we face -- murder in the name of a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance, and despises all dissent. Their aim is to remake the Middle East in their own grim image of tyranny and oppression -- by toppling governments, by driving us out of the region, and by exporting terror.

They fight because they know that the survival of their hateful ideology is at stake. They know that as freedom takes root in Iraq, it will inspire millions across the Middle East to claim their liberty, as well. And when the Middle East grows in democracy and prosperity and hope, the terrorists will lose their sponsors, lose their recruits, and lose their hopes for turning that region into a base for attacks on America and our allies around the world.

The terrorists know that the outcome will leave them emboldened, or defeated. So they are waging a campaign of murder and destruction. And there is no limit to the innocent lives they are willing to take."

It is not a stretch to say that the motivation and circumstances leading up to our entering, and continuing throughout our involvement in the Revolutionary War aren't much different than what compel us to fight terrorism today. We want to preserve our liberty. Furthermore, many of the traits that qualify the father of our country a patriot define President Bush as a patriot today.

People who buy into revisionist history -which teaches us that the founders of our country were not virtuous or to be honored for their courage and tremendous foresight, are likelier to believe President Bush responsible for putting our military and citizenry in harms way. Most assuredly, if George Washington were alive today, he would affirm it is exactly this kind of thinking that will lead to our demise.

Sources:

[Anti] military operations
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/ollienorth/on20050722

.shtml

 

Ford Asks Bush To Interrupt Vacation, Deal With Armor For Troops
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_70876.asp

 

George Washington to John Banister 21 April 1778

http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/revolution/banister

.html

 

George Washington to Martha Washington 18 June 1775
http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/revolution/letters/

martha.html

 

Majority of Americans Have Lost Confidence in the War, Polls Show http://peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=4834

President Addresses Nation, Discusses Iraq, War on Terror

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/06/

20050628-7.html

Senate Republicans Respond to Democrat Attacks on Why We Went to War to Remove Saddam Hussein
http://kyl.senate.gov/legis_center/rpc/rpc_030404.pdf


Copyright © Nancy Salvato 2005

Nancy Salvato is the President of The Basics Project, (www.Basicsproject.org) a non-profit, non-partisan research and educational project whose mission is to promote the education of the American public on the basic elements of relevant political, legal and social issues important to our country. She is an experienced educator and an independent contractor with Prism Educational Consulting. She serves as Educational Liaison for Illinois Senator Carole Pankau. She works nationally and locally furthering the cause of Education Reform. Her writing is widely published on the internet and occasionally in print venues such as the Washington Times. Her opinions have been heard on select radio programs across the nation. Additionally, her writing has been recognized by the US Secretary of Education.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: georgewashington

Lando

1 posted on 08/17/2005 10:28:11 PM PDT by Lando Lincoln
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To: Lando Lincoln

Awesome!


2 posted on 08/17/2005 10:55:29 PM PDT by Just Lori (I'm too tired to play tag.)
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To: Lando Lincoln
Congressman Harold Ford:

What a load!

3 posted on 08/18/2005 4:26:02 AM PDT by patriciaruth (They are all Mike Spanns)
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To: patriciaruth

Harold Ford is not mentioned in the article, so my guess is you have cross posted. Happens to the best of us.


4 posted on 08/18/2005 4:52:17 AM PDT by KeyWest
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To: KeyWest
Congressman Harold Ford: "More than two years after the start of the war in Iraq, it is distressing to hear yet again that our troops, who are risking their lives on behalf of American security and freedom, lack the basic equipment needed to carry out their mission. In addition, I have long believed that with the numerous challenges faced by our military - including the war in Iraq and our presence in Afghanistan and elsewhere as part of the global war on terror - now is not the time to close military bases. I know vacation is important, but I am writing to urge you to get back to Washington to get this armor issue resolved, hear out your generals in Iraq who want more troops on the ground and postpone the implementation of BRAC recommendations."

My guess is your skimmed the article and missed it.

Happens to the best of us.

Actually, it has happened to me more than once. :-)

5 posted on 08/18/2005 5:54:59 AM PDT by patriciaruth (They are all Mike Spanns)
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To: patriciaruth

My humble apologies.


6 posted on 08/18/2005 7:42:47 AM PDT by KeyWest
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To: KeyWest

Not abject and humble apologies...just plain ole humble ones? LOL!


7 posted on 08/18/2005 10:05:22 AM PDT by patriciaruth (They are all Mike Spanns)
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To: patriciaruth

OK, I grovel at your feet.


8 posted on 08/18/2005 1:29:08 PM PDT by KeyWest
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To: KeyWest

Thanks for the laugh!


9 posted on 08/18/2005 7:59:08 PM PDT by patriciaruth (They are all Mike Spanns)
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