Posted on 06/23/2010 8:20:39 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
In 1861 America fought a civil war over slavery, States’ rights and economic differences between North and South. The opening shots of a second civil war were fired one hundred years later.
War began on college campuses with rebellion against academic and civil authorities. Hostages were taken, buildings occupied. There were riots and bombings. Students and police were killed and wounded. Anarchists joined civil rights activists and so-called “peace” activists in violent anti-war, anti-capitalism riots. In common was the attack on society and the Constitution in favor of an ill-defined “just” society to be created. Civil society suppressed the foul-mouthed radical students, the anarchists and the leftists but did not defeat them.
Student leaders ducked out of public sight, moved into academia, the unions, environmentalism and charitable foundations for support. There they prospered and wove virulent anti-capitalist, anti-American political philosophies into the fabric of these organizations. They gave up violence in favor of foisting their theories of social and economic “justice” on our brightest students, on our teachers and on politicians. These radicals worked quietly behind the scenes to gain control of the media, Hollywood, the schools and colleges and the Democrat Party.
Today, a majority of CEOs of big corporations and Wall Street financial institutions (Warren Buffett, Steve Jobs of Apple, Bill Gates and the leadership of Goldman-Sachs for example!) support the Progressive agenda. The election of Obama brought these radicals back into power.
The battle lines of this new war for the future of America are now drawn. On the left, leaders of the Progressive movement are wealthy, highly educated, extremely intelligent and masterful in their use of language to advance their issues. They are guided by the belief that a group of selfless, brilliant leaders using reason and logic can perfect humanity, eliminate injustice and famine and save the earth from mankind. They are ruthless in their belief that desired ends justify any means of attaining them. They believe the Constitution is outdated and flawed, needing of change. They favor more government regulation, taxation and litigation to achieve their Utopian goals.
Opposing the political left are traditionalists who believe in the relevance of the Constitution, the enduring wisdom of the Founders, smaller government, individual freedoms and individual responsibilities. Fewer, by way of comparison, are wealthy and have degrees from Ivy League colleges. But many have wisdom gleaned from dealing with realities rather than social theories. They don’t believe that any group of leaders, selfless or otherwise, is capable of making decisions wiser than citizens would make for themselves.
Most of the Progressive leaders have shunned military service considering it best suited to those of lesser intellect. They oppose strong national defense in favor of diplomacy. They disdain patriotic displays as nationalistic and misguided. They count themselves equally American and citizens of the world. Many opposing progressives are veterans proud of military service. Most are flag-waving patriots, nationalists and believers in American exceptionalism. Many own guns and willingly defend their families and their Constitutional freedoms. Most don’t believe that achieving political ends can ever justify a wrong.
The outcome of this new civil war is in doubt. If the left prevails, America will become a social welfare democracy, following the pattern of failing European states. If traditionalists prevail, America may return to the constitutional principles which it made it the most prosperous and free nation in history. The current balance of power favors the progressive left. But, history and an understanding of economics favors the traditionalists. The rising Tea Party movement suggests the balance of power may be shifting.
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William Dixon is a graduate of Columbia University, New York Medical College and the USF College of Business Administration. He was an assistant professor of surgery at the University of Georgia before entering private practice. He served 11 years in the Army as a surgeon and as a Special Forces Officer, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Dr. Dixon can be reached at Wdixon16@yahoo.com.
Looks like he’s realized he’s met his betters.
Looks like he met his betters and a moderator...lol. I can’t imagine what makes one so hateful and insulting towards a couple of generations of servicemen. I gave 12 good years of my life and worked with the cream of the crop. Yes, there were some dopes, but there are some everywhere. Man, he pissed me off.
Joining the Air Guard to fly the F-102 in order to escape Vietnam is like getting all your teeth pulled in order to avoid getting a cavity filled.
The F-102 was probably more effective at killing Americans than the VC were.
Explain why I was seeing old black-and-white movies in the mid 1960s warning about the evils of heroin and Demon Weed.
I started Basic Training on 29 June 1970 and left Active Duty on 31 August 1979.
99% of those I served with were decent, honest, competent and hard-working.
You're dead-wrong.
My apolgies, sir, if I was abrupt. My contempt for them sometimes spills over.
Best REgards.
But if one were to try and use it as a dog fighter, it would hurt you. It was designed to get up high in a hurry and launch a Nuke at an incoming squadron of bombers, then turn and get outta Dodge.
Given the era, that's a pretty low bar.
30% of them either crashed or were shot-down over Vietnam.
There are many things to disparage George Bush about.
"Draft Dodger" is not one of them.
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