[adamyoshida]

"At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some trans-Atlantic military giant to step the ocean and crush us with a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined with a Bonaparte at their head and disposing of all the treasure of the earth, our own excepted, could not by force make a track on the Blue Ridge or take a drink from the Ohio in a trial of a thousand years. At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us it must spring up from amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we ourselves must be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we must live through all times, or die by suicide."
-Abraham Lincoln

[risk]

"...It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we ourselves must be its author and finisher. As a nation of free men, we must live through all times, or die by suicide." -Abraham Lincoln

I spoke with my father about this over the weekend. During the Vietnam war he was busy with other activities and found himself in the silent majority. I chided him for it, and promised that I would not join the silent majority. He expressed profound regret at not standing up for our actions in Vietnam and defending the troops with more energy. At 79, he is now quoting the bible to fellow church members in support of their military service. They are feeling pressure from baby boomers in the congregation who think Christians should be pacifists.

There must never again be a silent majority. Our downfall will come because good people do nothing to stop it. And good people must not be satisfied by holding the line. The American revolution is a fire that when it sweeps the hearts of men can not be contained. If it isn't spreading, it will go out.

What our parents earned is far more easily lost than we'd like to believe.