PROTESTING THE WAR

Protesting the war

April 8, 2003

In World War I and World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and Desert Storm, Americans fought and died on foreign soil. Many became prisoners of war and suffered unimaginable indignities and torture at the hands of the enemy in concentration camps and labor camps, and as prisoners of war. Still others lived out their lives suffering quietly the inconvenience of their wounds and the mental anguish of what they saw and suffered as soldiers.

Americans are once again fighting on foreign soil under the mandate of their Commander-in-Chief. This time in Iraq. And those who claim they want peace are marching in the streets all over the world, sometimes with violence and vandalism. The irony is hard to miss. Today it is being reported that American cemeteries in foreign lands are being desecrated and vandalized as an act of protest. At one cemetery in France, "Dig up your trash; it's soiling our land!" was scrawled in red paint on a tombstone.

Those are fighting words! Who kicked Germany off your soil in World War I and II, France? Was it you? No. You didn't have the military capability to even hinder the forward march or occupation of the Germans. How soon you forget.

We Americans don't mind removing our dead—who died so the French people could be free—from French soil. But first, we Americans think it only fair that France compensate us the cost for our military to fight for your freedom and help kick Germany off your soil, not once, but twice. Second, we think it only fair that you pay the families of each soldier killed, wounded or maimed, kicking the Germans off your soil, ten million dollars. Third, we think it only fair that you pay to exhume our dead, ship them to the United States, and bury them on American soil. That seems a small price to pay for fighting for your freedom which you obviously don't and have never appreciated.

Now Americans are fighting on Iraqi soil. France was very vocal in opposing the United States going into Iraq. France made no bones that they would veto any resolution brought before the United Nations Security Council. France was joined in that stand by Germany and Russia.

After the United Nations Security Council tried diligently to straddle the fence and do nothing, Coalition forces moved without the help or blessing of the UN. Coalition forces now stand at the outskirts of Baghdad. Coalition nations are withstanding the cost, and it is Coalition forces that are fighting and who are dying on Iraqi soil.

Now, true to form, France is very vocal in demanding a role, and in demanding the United Nations have a role, in running post-war Iraq. From where I stand, as an American, if France and the United Nations didn't want to help in Iraq, then France and the United Nations should have nothing to say about how post-war Iraq is run. This isn't arrogant. This is only right. Those who should have a say are the Iraqi people and the Coalition nations.

As for French protestors desecrating the graves of our soldiers buried on French soil, if the French people have a beef with our government, they should take that beef up with our government, not take their animosities out on those who fought and died for their freedom. For them to desecrate the graves of our soldiers who died for them is unconscionable.

There are many Americans who don't want to be in this war, many Americans who disagree with our government, many Americans who do not believe we have any business in Iraq. That does not mean we don't support our military on land, at sea, and in the air. Desecrating the graves of our soldiers is a slap in the face to the American people.

The message to the United States is clear: "Go home, Americans. The world community doesn't want your help."

President George Washington, in his farewell address to our nation in 1796, had this to say about becoming involved in foreign lands:

The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign Nations, is, in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little Political connection as possible. — So far as we have already formed engagements, let them be fulfilled with perfect good faith. — Here let us stop.

Taking President Washington's intent to its natural conclusion, America needs to be self-sufficient, becoming dependent on no other nation for anything, including oil.

George Washington also stated:

To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.

America has long held military superiority. That superiority should remain in the United States to protect the United States, our Constitution and Bill of Rights.

To that end, we should kick the United Nations out of the United States and withdraw from its membership. Let other nations sink or swim. We should look out for our own.