Posted on 05/09/2003 7:53:01 AM PDT by FreepForever
Let me say it straight. I am almost 60 years old, and I have never in my life been prouder to be an American than I am today.
I was talking to my friend Tony Blankley, editorial editor of the Washington Times, the other day, and when I compared George Bush to Ronald Reagan, Tony replied, “It may turn out to be the other way around.”
I first met Ronald Reagan in 1965, and for all of us who were with him in his original campaign for California governor or worked with him in the White House, the depth of affection and admiration we had for him went to the bottom of our souls.
I never imagined there could come along another leader of America that could be his equal. Until now.
We hear the term “tipping point” in popular usage now. Companies have a tipping point, where they either succeed or crash. The Iraqi regime may soon reach a tipping point, beyond which it will irretrievably and quickly disintegrate.
When America elected Ronald Reagan president in 1980, our country was at such a tipping point, economically and psychologically. Ronald Reagan rescued America.
The horror of September 11, 2001, conjured another tipping point for America. We did not know how much, 10 months earlier, our fate was poised on the most precarious of featherweight balances.
The slightest breath of bad karma could have tipped the scales against a George W. Bush presidency. That whiff of bad breath would have installed people in the White House totally incapable of preventing what Osama bin Laden tried to achieve: America’s will to protect itself collapsing like the Towers of New York.
What we are witnessing in Iraq today is thanks to fate going our way in November of 2000. And what we are witnessing is this:
The first commitment to victory since World War II. In every conflict the U.S. military has engaged in for the last 57 years, not once has the stated goal been outright military victory over the enemy. Not in Korea, not in Vietnam, not in the Gulf War, not ever until now.
At last, we have a president who publicly declares he wants to win, he wants the complete and total military defeat of the enemy. Ronald Reagan would say to friends and advisers that his goal in the Cold War was “We win, the Soviets lose,” but he never declared it publicly.
The most competent and professional military in world history. This is far more impressive than the technology – which is mind-blowing enough. The decency, the humanity, the intelligence, the sheer raw competence and training of American soldiers conducting the most technologically complex military campaign ever conducted is simply dazzling. This is about which the world should be experiencing true shock and awe. We all should be in moral awe of our military’s conduct and competence.
The corollary to this is that we only choose as allies those of superb competence as well. The stunning abilities of the British and Australians (and that small but effective contingent of Polish commandos) have earned our deep respect and gratitude. The French, by comparison, would have just gotten in the way. Notice they can’t even take care of some two-bit jungle rebellion in Africa’s Ivory Coast. (They did request and receive U.N. approval for sending their troops there, didn’t they?)
The complete dismissal of “world opinion” when it conflicts with national security. At last we have a president for whom American interests and security trump the frenzied envy and malice of people resentful of our success and power. It may even be the case that GW forced the issue with the United Nations with the express purpose of destroying its credibility with the American people. From now on, GW can ignore the U.N. and suffer no U.S. public repercussion. Hundreds of thousands of people can engage in apoplectic anti-American circle jerks in Europe, Indonesia, Pakistan or wherever, and we just don’t care anymore. All these folks need to get the message: We don’t care what you think anymore. We are going to take Saddam out, we are going to do what it takes to protect ourselves from depraved evil slime, and if you don’t like it, tough scatology.
The complete dismissal of armchair generals parading their egos in the media. Straight-out traitors like Peter Arnett aside, the media, especially print (such as Newsweek, the Washington Post and the New York Times), are awash with pundits and military has-beens criticizing the Iraq campaign. “Thank you for sharing” has been the response of everyone actually conducting the campaign, from Rumsfeld to the guys on the ground. They continue to do what they think best, with total disregard for the armchair brigade.
It is so much fun to see the left being driven around the bend by all of this. I actually enjoyed watching Michael Moore’s rant at the Academy Awards. It fills my soul with satisfaction to see him consumed with impotent anger and bitterness. I have the same sense of satisfaction watching the progressively diminishing street demos led by commie goofballs like ANSWER.
The bottom line is that we are going to win in Iraq and win quickly. The end of April will see regime change in Baghdad. Most importantly, we will have won on purpose and without apologies.
The bottom bottom line is go way long on DOW futures, short oil, short gold, and for God’s sake short the euro. Bet on America. There’s no better bet on Earth. There’s no better time, in our lifetimes, to be proud to be an American.
I've heard this before. I agree. :)
I like that.
Thanks!
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