Hail the Red, White and Blue!

I first started really thinking about things political during the 2008 election cycle.  I had just retired and had time to sit up watching the evening news shows, both left and right slanting.  Campaigning was intensely interesting that year with no incumbent candidate running, both parties offering a full field of potential presidents, and the real possibility of either the nation's first black or female presidential nominee.  Soon afterward the Tea Party burst on the scene, seemingly just to protest the result of that election and managing to put their collective feet in their mouths time and again.  These developments eventually got me interested in sharing my thoughts by starting this blog page.

I've used this blog to air my views on various topics and to invite respectful debate.  I've also chronicled awesome motorcycle trips and other events in my life.  Lately, I've tried many times to post here but just haven't had the strength of opinion to write.  Issues have come and gone without the benefit of my proffered wisdom.  Now I see things heating up again in various worldly arenas.  Certainly, this next election cycle could be every bit as exciting as 2008, and I'm sure I'll get into it soon.  However, I first feel the need to share my thoughts on recent international events, specifically concerning the various groups of self-proclaimed Islamic Jihadists, their apparent hatred for the rest of the world and where I think the U.S. needs to stand.

After the U.S. was invaded and attacked on 9/11/01, I applauded president Bush when he announced a war on terror, and those who harbor terrorists.  I had to agree when, after fair warning, the nation of Afghanistan was unfortunately bombed to bits by the U.S.  However, I never understood how Iraq was connected to 9/11, and I felt betrayed by the reasons given for our involvement in that war.  As these struggles lagged into years, it became apparent we were destroying cultures but not necessarily finding the terrorists we sought.

I supported president Obama when he verbalized his intentions to end these conflicts and bring U.S. troops home.  I also generally  agree it is preferable to seek diplomatic solutions to world friction and to avoid military interventions if at all possible.  I basically despise the thought of war but recognize its unfortunate need from time to time.  I found my thoughts and feelings put into words when I visited the World War II memorial in D.C. last summer.  One of the great quotes commemorated there really spoke to me as I read these words spoken near the end of that long global conflict:

We are a nation of great liberty, freedom and peace.  Our beautiful flag represents our passion to the freedom-loving nations of the world who have looked to us to protect and enforce these ideals for the past 70 years.  Sometimes that can be done by example, sometimes through diplomacy and aid.  But as long as there are those who would deny freedom, there remains the possibility that force may regretfully be required to protect the liberties the people of the earth cherish and deserve.  To this end, it becomes imperative the U.S. maintain that "overwhelming force" demonstrated 70 years ago -- not to be the world's bully, expecting other nations to become in all ways like us, but as the greatest deterrent to those spewing hatred, fear and oppression of the weak.

Today there is an evil in the world reminiscent of that which drew us into global war seven decades ago.  Nearly every nation on earth opposes the vision of ISIS and their fellow terrorists and the ruthless means being used to bring their vision to fruition.  It appears this is not a problem to be resolved via diplomacy.  The U.N. and the U.S. must be prepared to get involved where necessary as a demonstration to the world that we are still willing and able to fight for, win and maintain world peace and liberty.

God bless America.  Hail the Red, White and Blue!


Thanks for reading my thoughts -- I'm back.