September 11, 2004
Winston Review, No. 10
"If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what's said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference."
- President Abraham Lincoln
Some say President Lincoln did not go to war to free the slaves. To those people I say, even if that were the whole of the story: so what? Millions were made free. Some say President Roosevelt found in Pearl Harbor a pretext for the war he sought with Germany. To those people I say, even if that were the whole of the story: so what? Millions were made free. Some say President Bush took September 11 and found the excuse he needed to go to war in Afghanistan and Iraq. To those people I say, even if that were the whole of the story: so what? Millions have been made free.
Some say the United States in President Lincoln's day was an imperfect democracy clouded by great social inequality. To those people I say, even if that were the whole of the story: so what? Better the greatest democracy of its day than slavery. Some say the United States in President Roosevelt's day was an imperfect democracy marred by racism and point to many instances of prejudice and inequity. To those people I say, even if that were the whole of the story: so what? Better the greatest democracy of its day than the death camps. Some say the United States of President Bush' day is an imperfect democracy of social and economic inequality. To those people I say, even if that is the whole of the story: so what? Better the greatest democracy in the history of the world than those who would take each of us with our every difference, our every disagreement, our every imperfection and put us all to the sword.
The Winston Review is a Flea-feature intended to offer spirited, uplifting alternatives to the defeatists and apologists of the mainstream media. This week's Review is dedicated to the great unfinished project of democracy and its greatest defenders. May God bless the United States of America.
This week in the Red Box:
"View to a kill", in the wake of Beslan, David Aaronovitch argues "idea that, had we negotiated with the Taliban, left Saddam in place and put more pressure on Sharon to settle, kids would now be safe in North Ossetia, is just wishful thinking" (via Daimnation!).
"North Ossetia Donation Aid Information", Abraca-Pocus! points to aid agencies offering people a means to help the people of Beslan.
"Time for a Blue Ensign moment", Argghhh!!! says "Now is the time for anger. Then, when the time comes to act, you can do so deliberately, judiciously, and coolly."
"Election Day Will Be Veterans Day - Part 2", Blackfive reprints and article from the Marine Corps League email.
"Temples of Freedom", Mike Campbell quotes Churchill on virtues whose "foundations which will not soon or easily be overthrown."
"Hero teacher gives his life to save children", The Duff Wire reports an act of heroism and has worthy comment to make on the war. This one is difficult, and important, to read.
"Beslan, USA", Froggy Ruminations argues a Beslan style assault in the United States could end "just as badly as the Russians" and for a radical change in mindset for SRT/SWAT officers, police departments and communities (via InstaPundit). Classical Values comments.
"Follow the Leader", in the aftermath of Beslan, Dave Kopel argues that "Israel and Thailand set an example by arming teachers."
"The Jews are the canary, as always.", Natalie Solent reminds us of the massacre of the children of Maalot.
"We still don’t get it", Mark Steyn argues "that three years after 9/11 the West remains in denial over Islamic terrorism."
"The appeasement disease", Walter E. Williams writes there is "no evidence that today's fanatical terrorists and their nation-state sympathizers have any taste for compromise and negotiation" (via Classical Values).
Your courage. Your cheerfulness. Your resolution.
Will bring us Victory.
Thank you.
Posted by: Rue at September 11, 2004 02:36 PMI am with you until:
"Some say the United States of President Bush' day is an imperfect democracy of social and economic inequality. To those people I say, even if that is the whole of the story: so what? Better the greatest democracy in the history of the world than those who would take each of us with our every difference, our every disagreement, our every imperfection and put us all to the sword."
You move into a different paradigm. Bush has not enhanced democracy even if he has protected it. Give me, for example, the Dutch any time, too. The greatest power does not make the greatest democracy and your structure of argument suggests that at each stage in history the USA, the great nation under whose umbrella we all are protected, has been the greatest democracy. That is not now th ecase. Now the power is still monolithic but democracy not. That is democracy's success. This diversity may be a victory of NATO and then the EU under that umbrella but the unmbrella is only of one of democratic power. If you stated the most powerful democracy I am with you but not the greatest expression of egality and fraternity. Being the focus of the tyrant does not get you that any more than the cornerstone of the power supporting world democracy.
Pray that God continue to bless the USA and pray for its continuation but also pray for its progress to meet the achivements of others sheltered by it who have uniquely achieved, too.
Posted by: Alan at September 11, 2004 08:57 PM