THANK YOU, AMERICA

New York Post ^ | 4/15/03 | KANAN MAKIYA

[kattracks]

April 15, 2003 -- BA'ATHISM died in Iraq last week. The sight of the oversized bronze head of Saddam rolling in the dust and being beaten with shoes by exuberant Iraqis is perhaps the most important image of Iraqi politics of the last 50 years. It was the end of the republic of fear.

[scriblett]

Thought you might like this, posted by an acquaintance of mine in a Canadian political discussion group.

Most Canadians are not anti US, only Chretien and his lapdogs.

If I lived under a tyrannical regime, I would hope that those who valued their own freedom would want freedom for me and my children too, and come to our aid.
When Lady Liberty beckons, those who love her and their fellow man answer the call. This is the heart of the universal soldier. It is a language that tyrants and the well-intentioned that enable them simply don't understand.

Men such as Tony Blair and J.F.K. understand that there are times when one must stand or fall on principle. When the fundamentals are on the line --things like liberty,
truth and justice -- they seek to lead public opinion, not just follow it --
trusting in the civic genius of the people to eventually see the rightness of their cause (and they are seldom if ever disappointed). To do otherwise, is to jeopardize the very foundations upon which democracies are built and indeed, to disqualify them from public office. (Paul Martin anyone!).

Stephen Harper's actions have placed him in a very distinguished league. He has done Canada proud and a great service to his country, as have others who stood with them.

The Americans realized something through the bombing of Pearl Harbour.
Kennedy said: "To whom much is given much is asked". They realized that they could not indulge in the luxury of isolationism and must take a leading role in defending fundamental liberties even when it means going it alone.

The War on Terrorism has served to remind them (and those of us who are paying attention) of this all over again.

I don't envy the Americans this responsibility. The least we can do, as
Canadians, is our part to help them shoulder it.

JFK defined American foreign policy in these eloquent terms.....
"Let the word go forth from this time and place,...... meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." (Kennedy,> Inaugural Address, January, 196l)

The Americans must do what they must, with or without us. They do not need our empty platitudes, our smug self-righteousness, or our juvenile posturing. They do need at least our moral support.

The War in Iraq has served to bring clarity to the world stage after years of misplaced hope and unfounded faith in the UN's policy of appeasement and its dogma of moral quivalency.
I like the term Pax Americana. I think it appropriately conceptualizes the next wave.

words of wisdom from JFK.....
"...the wave of the future is not the conquest of the world by a single dogmatic creed [UN anyone] but the liberation of the diverse energies of free nations and free men".