Posted on 10/07/2001 3:53:21 PM PDT by TLBSHOW
My friends, by Monday, we should have a lot more knowledge of just what kind of damage we have wrought, if any, and we will be able to discuss it in much greater detail then, with a little bit more knowledge than we have now. After all, we are still in the midst of this first round of attacks, and even when this day is over, what we are told about what we have accomplished may be very little.
It's going to be, I do think, a different kind of war, especially in this respect: I think the American people are going to be treated in a different way in terms of what we are spoon fed or told about these operations, success-wise and failure-wise. Because one thing is for sure: this will not be quick. This is not something that is going to take little time. This is a major operation. We have clearly staked out now, as a golden objective, the elimination of terrorism - and that is not a mission that can be achieved overnight. So those of you who are looking for that eager moment when you can return to whatever your normality is, understand this: that in this country you still have - for the most part, compared to the rest of the people in the world - that chance.
The American people still have as their number one opportunity (if they seek to exercise it) to get up every day and pursue happiness. You are going to be hearing me saying this often, because I think it's important to keep this in perspective, given the rest of the world and how it lives versus the United States.
Now this can mean so many things. When I say, "pursue happiness," I don't mean hedonism. You can pursue whatever gives your life meaning. You and I are not faced, each and every day, with what most of the world's population is faced with - and that is finding enough food to get through the day. We are not faced with the prospect of staying alive that day or keeping our families alive. We don't get up with our first objective to survive. We don't get up with our first objective to make sure we are not doing something, or going somewhere, where we will be discovered by some government agent. Not unless, of course, we are breaking the law.
Despite all that's happened, we still have the opportunity to get up each day and go about our lives in ways we choose. I think it's important to never take that for granted or forget it. As you look at these pictures from Afghanistan and Kabul - both today and before the bombings started - just look at the way these people in Afghanistan live. They ride donkeys around, folks! They live in caves. Yet at the same time, these people defeated the Soviet Red Army - with our help, and our stinger missiles and so forth.
So they are tough people, and they have to be. But they have a different objective in life. Their purpose, and not just religious, but their whole mindset is different than ours. We have, since September 11th, desired this return to normalcy, but we really haven't lost normalcy. Yes, it's a different America now. We hear about Anthrax. We hear about Dengue Fever in Maui. We hear about crop dusters. We have to be vigilant because we know that we are now susceptible to attack. But if you get in your car and travel around today, this country looks just like it did on September 10th - unless you go to downtown Manhattan. It looks just like it always has, and people are going to be doing everything they have always done.
As we speak - while all the networks are broadcasting every detail - I can grab my remote control and I can find a football game. In fact, I can find two of the worst games. I have the Giants and Redskins here. Who gives a flying care? But that's what you get and we are still free to watch it. They are playing.
We have the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots. Who cares? There are much better games, but at least we have football games. Two networks are not even covering the news. Instead they are honoring the contract with the NFL. That's pretty normal when you consider we are at war.
So we are very fortunate people, folks - and that is the point. We have so much to fight for and to hold onto to keep our country this way, and that requires an understanding of just how fortunate we are, and what it is that sets us apart from the rest of the world. I have always believed that what makes us special is the freedom that our Founding Fathers knew that we were created with this natural spirit, this yearning to be free. They embodied it in our Constitution, and they limited what the government could do to infringe upon our freedoms.
p>They didn't write a Constitution that empowered government. They wrote one that empowered us. And it requires us to hold onto that power - that was documented - and to live that human spirit, to exercise the God-given aspects of our creation, because that's what makes this country stand out after barely 200 years. We have run circles around countries that have been around thousands and thousands of years - and it's worth knowing why and remembering why, so that we can continue to do so for centuries to come.
Totally agree. I can't stand listening to Tony. Besides being a bore with a very un-radio friendly voice, he has this superior attitude when talking to callers. He listens to what they have to say and then tells us why their wrong and now he'll fill us in with the inside the beltway insiders inside poop. Big deal.
On one of his shows week before last, Rush said that he was afraid of his voice rising in pitch (with advancing age, I think) . This was in answer to some caller's question along the lines "Are you afraid of anything?" (NOT a direct quote).
I was immensely surprised, but immediately wondered if the quasi British accent Rush has adopted recently was a means of fighting this fear.
Whatever it is, it seems to be an affectation Rush has adopted. When this first started, I thought he was trying to morph to William F Buckley, but as a result of this answer, I now think it's a mechanism he's adopted, trying to keep his voice from rising in pitch.
I liked his voice better before, but he's still Rush, and I listen to him daily when I can.
Rush doesn't work for "the mouse" and he just signed the largest contract in the history of broadcast radio. You're "sly" reference to Disney and ABC makes you look pathetic.
So when do you leave for Afghanistan, hero?
Speaking of Hillary!!! Does anyone know where or when Ms. Clinton said the following - *I have guided Rudy Giuliani thru this* - meaning the terrorism to our country.
I get a kick out of the Rush bashing - how would they know if they didn't listen to Rush. I love ya Rush and hope you are back on Monday!!!!!
Now that Rush has revealed today that he is 90% deaf, and has been using his time off to try to treat his ailment -- is there now anything that you'd wish to add to your commentary?
A retraction? An apology? Anything? We're all waiting.
BTW, why would anyone want to be a pretend Clint Eastwood? Do you have Walter Mitty dreams?
Love and peace.
By the way Mister Perfecto, ever say anything you regretted later? Just wondering.....
Yes, I have. Many, many times. I'm sorry that I came across so condescending... a bit of emotion mixed in there and all. I probably should have given you the benefit of the doubt here.
I think I could use a good night's sleep to try to clear my system of the emotion factor. A horrible turn of events to compound on top of the events of this past month.
We'll all see what develops of this.
Yet even though he's a fighter, he is victim of the common frailties that plauge mankind. Pray for him. I suspect he's fighting something much bigger and more deadly.
Callahan
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