August 19, 2005
- More than one person is credited with the quote, "A
nation which forgets its past is condemned to repeat it." More dangerous –
even – is the idea of rewriting a past because we've forgotten the context
in which the events took place.
The Reason for War
GW: "Nothing short of Independence, it appears to me, can possibly do. A
peace on other terms would, if I may be allowed the expression, be a peace
of War. The injuries we have received from the British Nation were so
unprovoked—have been so great and so many, that they can never be forgotten.
—Our fidelity as a people—our gratitude, our character as men are opposed to
a coalition with them as subjects, but in case of the last extremity. Were
we easily to accede to terms of dependence, No nation upon future occasions,
let the oppressions of Britain be never so flagrant and unjust would
interpose for our relief, or at least they would do it with a cautious
reluctance and upon conditions most probably that would be hard, if not
dishonourable to us."
GWB: "Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be
no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in
honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember
the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. All of
us want peace. The threat to peace does not come from those who seek to
enforce the just demands of the civilized world; the threat to peace comes
from those who flout those demands. If we have to act, we will act to
restrain the violent, and defend the cause of peace. And by acting, we will
signal to outlaw regimes that in this new century, the boundaries of
civilized behavior will be respected."
The Greatest Military in the World
GW: "No history, now extant, can furnish an instance of an army's suffering
such uncommon hardships as ours have done, and bearing them with the same
patience and Fortitude—To see men without Cloat<hes> to cover their
nakedness—without Blankets to lay on—without Shoes, by which their Marches
might be traced by the Blood from their feet—and almost as often without
Provisions as with; Marching through frost & Snow, and at Christmas taking
up their Winter Quarters within a days March of the enemy, without a House
or Hutt to cover them till they could be built & submitting to it without a
murmur, is a Mark of patience & obedience which in my opinion can scarce be
parallel'd."
GWB: "The dangers are real, as our soldiers, and sailors, airmen, and
Marines fully understand. Yet, no military has ever been better prepared to
meet these challenges. Members of our Armed Forces also understand why they
may be called to fight. They know that retreat before a dictator guarantees
even greater sacrifices in the future. They know that America's cause is
right and just: liberty for an oppressed people, and security for the
American people. And I know something about these men and women who wear our
uniform: they will complete every mission they are given with skill, and
honor, and courage."
Fulfilling Their Destiny
GW: "But, as it has been a kind of destiny that has thrown me upon this
Service, I shall hope that my undertaking of it, designd to answer some good
purpose—You might, and I suppose did perceive, from the Tenor of my letters,
that I was apprehensive I could not avoid this appointment, as I did not
even pretend <t>o intimate when I should return —that was the case—it was
utterly out of my power to refuse this appointment without exposing my
Character to such censures as would have reflected dishonour upon myself,
and given pain to my friends—this I am sure could not, and ought not to be
pleasing to you, & must have lessend me considerably in my own esteem. I
shall rely therefore, confidently, on that Providence which has heretofore
preservd, & been bountiful to me, not doubting but that I shall return safe
to you in the fall—I shall feel no pain from the Toil, or the danger of the
Campaign—My unhappiness will flow, from the uneasiness I know you will feel
at being left alone—I therefore beg of you to summon your whole fortitude &
Resolution, and pass your time as agreeably as possible—nothing will give me
so much sincere satisfaction as to hear this, and to hear it from your own
Pen."
GWB: "We did not ask for this mission, but we will fulfill it. And I pledge
to you that America will never relent on this war against terror. There will
be times of swift, dramatic action. There will be times of steady, quiet
progress. Over time, with patience, and precision, the terrorists will be
pursued. They will be isolated, surrounded, cornered, until there is no
place to run, or hide, or rest. Our response involves far more than instant
retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle,
but a lengthy campaign unlike any other we have ever seen."
You're either with us or Against us
GW: "It cannot be fairly supposed, that she [France] will hesitate a moment
to declare War, if she is given to understand, in a proper manner, that a
reunion of the two Countries may be the consequence of procrastination. An
European War, and an European alliance would effectually answer our
purposes. If the step, I now mention, should be eligible, dispatches ought
to be sent at once by different conveyances, for fear of accidents. I
confess it appears to me, a measure of this kind could not but be productive
of the most salutary consequences."
GWB: "And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to
terrorism. Every nation in every region now has a decision to make: Either
you are with us or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any
nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be
regarded by the United States as a hostile regime. Our nation has been put
on notice.
We're not immune from attack. We will take defensive measures against
terrorism to
protect Americans."
Intelligence Measures
GW: If possible, I should also suppose it absolutely necessary, to obtain
good intelligence from England—pointing out the true springs of this manuvre
of ministry—the preparations of force they are making—the prospects there
are of raising it—the amount, and when it may be expected.
Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ): "I feel compelled to point out three obvious facts:
One, an intelligence failure is not synonymous with a misuse of
intelligence. Two, this intelligence issue does not fundamentally change the
case against Saddam Hussein. Three, since Iraq itself had provided
documentation to the United Nations on its production of chemical and
biological agents, the question is not whether but what happened to the
stockpiles."
The Ring must be destroyed
GW: "Men are naturally fond of peace and there are symptoms, which may
authorise an opinion, that the people of America, are pretty generally weary
of the present war. It is doubtful, whether many of our friends might not
incline to an accomodation of the grounds held out, or which may be, rather
than persevere in a contest for independance."
GWB: "The only way our enemies can succeed is if we forget the lessons of
September the 11th, if we abandon the Iraqi people to men like Zarqawi, and
if we yield the future of the Middle East to men like Bin Laden. For the
sake of our nation's security, this will not happen on my watch."
Troops Must Come First
GW: "The necessity of putting the Army upon a respectable footing, both as
to numbers and constitution, is now become more essential than ever. This
will conduce to inspire the Country with confidence—enable those at the head
of affairs to consult the public honor and interest, notwithstanding the
defection of some and temporary inconsistancy and irresolution of others,
who may desire to compromise the dispute; and if a Treaty should be deemed
expedient, will put it in their power to insist upon better terms, than they
could otherwise expect."
Congressman Harold Ford: "More than two years after the start of the war in
Iraq, it is distressing to hear yet again that our troops, who are risking
their lives on behalf of American security and freedom, lack the basic
equipment needed to carry out their mission. In addition, I have long
believed that with the numerous challenges faced by our military - including
the war in Iraq and our presence in Afghanistan and elsewhere as part of the
global war on terror - now is not the time to close military bases. I know
vacation is important, but I am writing to urge you to get back to
Washington to get this armor issue resolved, hear out your generals in Iraq
who want more troops on the ground and postpone the implementation of BRAC
recommendations."
Volunteer Army
GW: "I refer you to my Letter to yourself & Colo. Lee, which accompanies
this, upon the subject of money for such of the old Virginia Troops, as have
or may reinlist. In respect to the Volunteer plan, I scarce know what
opinion to give at this time. The propriety of a requisition, on this Head,
will depend altogether, on our operations. Such kind of Troops should not be
called for, but upon the spur of the occasion, and at the moment of
executing an enterprize. They will not endure a long service, and of all Men
in the military line, they are the most impatient of restraint and necessary
government."
Col. Oliver North: "Current reenlistment rates indicate that those who are
serving today -- and those who are volunteering to serve tomorrow -- still
believe that this country is worth defending. Thankfully, in this war where
every American is a terrorist target, there are still enough bright, tough,
young Americans willing to stand up and fight."
Fifth Column
GW: The Enemy are beginning to play a game, more dangerous than their
efforts by arms, tho these will not be remitted in the smallest degree, and
which threatens a fatal blow to American independence, and to her liberties
of course: They are endeavouring to ensnare the people by specious
allurements of peace. It is not improbable they have had such abundant cause
to be tired of the war, that they may be sincere, in the terms they offer,
which tho far short of our pretensions, will be extremely flattering to
minds that do not penetrate far into political consequences; but whether
they are sincere or not they may be equally destructive, for to discerning
men, nothing can be more evident, than that a peace on the principles of
dependance however limited, after what has happened, would be to the last
degree dishonourable and ruinous. It is however much to be apprehended, that
the idea of such an event will have a very powerful effect upon the country,
and if not combatted with the greatest address, will serve at least to
produce supineness and disunion."
Knight Ridder Newspapers : "Bedeviled by the mounting casualties in Iraq and
increasingly confused by the mixed messages emanating from war leaders,
Americans in large numbers are losing confidence in the mission. New polls
report that for the first time, a majority of Americans reject President
Bush's contention that the war over there is making us safer over here.
Indeed, barring major immediate progress in Iraq, some suggest that 2005 may
well be remembered as the year when public opinion went south and never came
back - a mood shift roughly analogous to 1968, when domestic confidence in
the Vietnam War began its irreversible slide."
GWB: "The troops here and across the world are fighting a global war on
terror. The war reached our shores on September the 11th, 2001. The
terrorists who attacked us -- and the terrorists we face -- murder in the
name of a totalitarian ideology that hates freedom, rejects tolerance, and
despises all dissent. Their aim is to remake the Middle East in their own
grim image of tyranny and oppression -- by toppling governments, by driving
us out of the region, and by exporting terror.
They fight because they know that the survival of their hateful ideology is
at stake. They know that as freedom takes root in Iraq, it will inspire
millions across the Middle East to claim their liberty, as well. And when
the Middle East grows in democracy and prosperity and hope, the terrorists
will lose their sponsors, lose their recruits, and lose their hopes for
turning that region into a base for attacks on America and our allies around
the world.
The terrorists know that the outcome will leave them emboldened, or
defeated. So they are waging a campaign of murder and destruction. And there
is no limit to the innocent lives they are willing to take."
It is not a stretch to say that the motivation and circumstances leading up
to our entering, and continuing throughout our involvement in the
Revolutionary War aren't much different than what compel us to fight
terrorism today. We want to preserve our liberty. Furthermore, many of the
traits that qualify the father of our country a patriot define President
Bush as a patriot today.
People who buy into revisionist history – which teaches us that the founders
of our country were not virtuous or to be honored for their courage and
tremendous foresight – are likelier to believe President Bush responsible
for putting our military and citizenry in harms way. Most assuredly, if
George Washington were alive today, he would affirm it is exactly this kind
of thinking that will lead to our demise.
Related Reading:
[Anti] military operations
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/ollienorth/on20050722.shtml
Ford Asks Bush To Interrupt Vacation, Deal With Armor For Troops
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_70876.asp
George Washington to John Banister 21 April 1778
http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/revolution/banister.html
George Washington to Martha Washington 18 June 1775
http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/revolution/letters/martha.html
Majority of Americans Have Lost Confidence in the War, Polls Show
http://peacejournalism.com/ReadArticle.asp?ArticleID=4834
President Addresses Nation, Discusses Iraq, War on Terror
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/06/20050628-7.html
Senate Republicans Respond to Democrat Attacks on Why We Went to War to
Remove Saddam Hussein
http://kyl.senate.gov/legis_center/rpc/rpc_030404.pdf
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