Posted on 12/12/2002 8:05:35 AM PST by Jakarta ex-pat
COMMUNISM was defeated in our lifetime defeated above all through the efforts of that great American president, my friend Ronald Reagan. His name will be remembered for as long as there are men and women on this earth who value their liberty and honour those who secure it.
Ronnie's successor in the White House today, President George W. Bush, faces a different but no less mighty challenge. The success in Afghanistan demonstrated that the doubters were wrong: the war against terror can be won. But we still confront today a twin-headed monster of terrorism and of proliferating weapons of mass destruction. And both those heads must be removed, if the beast itself is to be destroyed.
Evil, it is true, has always been with us. But evil was never so technically sophisticated, never so elusive, never so devoid of scruple, and never so anxious to inflict civilian casualties. The West must prevail or else concede a reign of global lawlessness and violence unparalleled in modern times.
I am glad that America's commander-in-chief is made of such stern stuff glad too that he is assisted by Vice-President Dick Cheney. I am also proud that Britain stands where we must always stand as America's surest and staunchest ally. Prime Minister Tony Blair and I are, as is well known, political opponents. But in this matter I salute his strong, bold leadership.
Something more is required in politics than simple pragmatism. It is, of course, necessary to learn all the facts, to seek the best advice, to reflect on the options before you decide the course to take. But experience shows that if you lack a coherent set of beliefs and principles, you will flounder. You must know already what you want, and why, and broadly how best to attain it, if you are ever to deal effectively with the 1001 crises that face you in government.
It is always good to come to America. Whereas other countries remind you of problems, America teaches you possibilities.
America today is the only global super-power. Like it or not and, on balance, I do like it that is a fact. Only America has the reach and means to deal with Osama bin Laden or Saddam Hussein or the other wicked psychopaths who will sooner or later step into their shoes. The rest of the world can and should do more. But so often wealthy countries with much to offer and more to lose just cheer or grumble on the sidelines.
For those who love liberty, the fortunes of America are even more our preoccupation than in years gone by. So I make my own tonight the words of the poet Longfellow:
Sail on, O Ship of State!
Sail on, O Union, strong and great!
Humanity with all its fears,
With all the hopes of future years,
Is hanging breathless on thy fate
Communism was never defeated.
Its Kings, Lords, Squires, and serfs represent eighty percent of our "educators."
Otherwise, Maggie Keep smiling,
Philip.
Excrement takes time to fully decompose.
As a Brit, I have no answers to your question.
Keep smiling,
Philip.
PS.
Even with a Thatcher government fo almost 12 years, we are still SCREWED.
However, I will lay claim to the oldest ever post here unless repudiated :-)
Like to see 'em tag-team M. Half-bright....
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