Free Republic

Since the 18th century, American founding fathers and scholars have been aware of deeply-rooted Islamic violence, terrorism, intolerance and hatred toward other Muslims, as well as non-Muslims. Early American leaders and thinkers were endowed with deep appreciation and unique knowledge of global history, international relations, ancient cultures, ideologies and religions. They spoke and wrote candidly about global threats, including the Islamic threat. In 1830, New York University Professor George Bush, the great-granduncle of George H. W. Bush, considered one of the most profound American scholars of the mid-19th century, published "The Life of Mohammed." He was not concerned about political...

George H. Bush, at the age of eighteen, became the youngest pilot in the U.S. Navy. He learned to fly a three-man torpedo bomber and named his plane for his fiance, Barbara. He was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS San Jacinto. On this day in 1944, Lt. Bush's squadron attacked Japanese radar installations on the island of Chichi Jima. His plane was hit by an anti-aircraft gun, setting it on fire.

When does being a war hero count? In the 1992 elections, when Republican candidate President George H. Bush ran against Clinton for United States presidency, many may recall how the media was less than impressed with Bush’s military credentials. The fact that he was only 18 when he joined the services and was the youngest pilot in the Navy when he received his wings really was of little concern. In addition, flying 58 combat missions during World War II, one mission over the Pacific as a torpedo bomber pilot, where he was shot down by Japanese antiaircraft fire, rescued from...