I Won't Forget

[caddmannq]

(This came in the mail today from a old vet.)

DO NOT FORGET

I sat in a movie theater watching "Schindler's List," asked myself, "Why didn't the Jews fight back?"

Now I know why.

I sat in a movie theater, watching "Pearl Harbor" and asked myself, "Why weren't we prepared?"

Now I know why.

Civilized people cannot fathom, much less predict, the actions of evil people.

On September 11, dozens of capable airplane passengers allowed themselves to be overpowered by a handful of poorly armed terrorists because they did not comprehend the depth of hatred that motivated their captors.

On September 11, thousands of innocent people were murdered because too many Americans naively reject the reality that some nations are dedicated to the dominance of others. Many political pundits, pacifists and media personnel want us to forget the carnage. They say we must focus on the bravery of the rescuers and ignore the cowardice of the killers. They implore us to understand the motivation of the perpetrators. Major television stations have announced they will assist the healing process by not replaying devastating footage of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers.

I will not be manipulated.

I will not pretend to understand.

I will not forget.

I will not forget the liberal media who abused freedom of the press to kick our country when it was vulnerable and hurting.

I will not forget that CBS anchor Dan Rather preceded President Bush's address to the nation with the snide remark, "No matter how you feel about him, he is still our president."

I will not forget that ABC TV anchor Peter Jennings questioned President Bush's motives for not returning immediately to Washington, DC and commented, "We're all pretty skeptical and cynical about Washington."

And I will not forget that ABC's Mark Halperin warned if reporters weren't informed of every little detail of this war, they aren't "likely -- nor should they be expected -- to show deference."

I will not isolate myself from my fellow Americans by pretending an attack on the USS Cole in Yemen was not an attack on the United States of America.

I will not forget the Clinton administration equipped Islamic terrorists and their supporters with the world's most sophisticated telecommunications equipment and encryption technology, thereby compromising America's ability to trace terrorist radio, cell phone, land lines, faxes and modem communications.

I will not be appeased with pointless, quick retaliatory strikes like those perfected by the previous administration.

I will not be comforted by "feel-good, do nothing" regulations like the silly "Have your bags been under your control?" question at the airport.

I will not be influenced by so called,"antiwar demonstrators" who exploit the right of expression to chant anti-American obscenities.

I will not forget the moral victory handed the North Vietnamese by American war protesters who reviled and spat upon the returning soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines.

I will not be softened by the wishful thinking of pacifists who chose reassurance over reality.

I will embrace the wise words of Prime Minister Tony Blair who told Labor Party conference, "They have no moral inhibition on the slaughter of the innocent. If they could have murdered not 7,000 but 70,000, does anyone doubt they would have done so and rejoiced in it?

There is no compromise possible with such people, no meeting of minds, no point of understanding with such terror. Just a choice: defeat it or be defeated by it. And defeat it we must!"

I will force myself to:


-hear the weeping
-feel the helplessness
-imagine the terror
-sense the panic
-smell the burning flesh
- experience the loss
- remember the hatred.

I sat in a movie theater, watching "Private Ryan" and asked myself, "Where did they find the courage?"

Now I know.

We have no choice. Living without liberty is not living.

-- Ed Evans, MGySgt., USMC (Ret.)
Not as lean, Not as mean, But still a Marine.

[osprey4]

Wow, a powerful testimonial. On the other hand, I don't get too upset at the "liberal media" when they direct criticism in the wrong direction, just like I don't get mad at a dog that craps on my yard--it's just being a dog, it doesn't know any better.

[jman01pa]

This is very powerful. Is this Vet an old friend?

Thanks.


JnMHayes - Dont you just want to beat the crap out of the guy that is holding the leash of that dog while he is crapping in your yard?

[Knothead]

There is no compromise possible with such people, no meeting of minds, no point of understanding with such terror. Just a choice: defeat it or be defeated by it. And defeat it we must!"

Powerful. And true. These words of (British PM) Tony Blair will live in history, and I hope people right now will "get it", too.

Good post, Cadd.

Compelling.

While hindsight is 20/20, I hope this time no mistakes are made in Iraq and all these terrorist issues are addressed head on. From a position of strength.

We need to get back to regular life and most (99.99%) people do not want to live in a continued sense of fear and frustration. The earlier this Government/Administration acts the better. Giving more time and leaking satellite photos only arms the enemy.

[osprey4]

Originally posted by jman01pa
Dont you just want to beat the crap out of the guy that is holding the leash of that dog while he is crapping in your yard?

Only for the purpose of educating him on neighborhood etiquette.

[caddmannq]

Thanks, guys. The vet who sent it to me is an old friend, but he is not the same vet that wrote it. I'm not sure what their connection is exactly, but probably because both are VFW members.

One thing though, whoever wrote it writes in a very simple yet compelling way with emotion.

[vass0922]

I will embrace the wise words of Prime Minister Tony Blair who told Labor Party conference, "They have no moral inhibition on the slaughter of the innocent. If they could have murdered not 7,000 but 70,000, does anyone doubt they would have done so and rejoiced in it?

hard to believe that some people just can not comprehend this.. some people would like to just believe that this will never happen again because it is indeed inconceivable to think of... the truth remains that it HAS happened and it WILL happen again IF we allow them to.

[DangerSeeker]

We will be plagued with such actions until an action so heinous finally removes our existence completely.

I will not forget the Clinton administration

Peter Jennings questioned President Bush's

And as long as political alliances such as this exist, there is nothing we can do to stop it.

I'm sick of today's politics. I find the whole idea behind them absurd and sickening. And though there are a few good points in this document, he has failed to reach this reader, as I appose political alignment. I am lead by more superior motives, such as intelligence and humanity.