Serving These Communities
Covering the Heart of Hamilton County Since 1983
Somehow, I seem to have a lot of confusion about current events. Let me see if I can sort things out.
On Dec. 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and we went all out in war preparations. Factories were converted to making armaments, there was rationing imposed on the population and no one uttered any doubts or criticism at President Roosevelt.
On Sept. 11, 2001, a group of terrorists pledged to destroy America, seized four airliners, flew two of them into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon and but for the bravery of passengers on the fourth one, it crashed in a field. Yet, we all go about our business with no changes of any kind. No one, except families of our military, are facing any shortages, interruption of normal living. Were it not for the daily news, we would not know there was anything going on of concern to us.
Nevertheless, there is no question that Al Quaida used Afghanistan and Iraq as training bases for terrorists. The United States is hated by these people. President Clinton had missiles fired into Afghanistan to try to destroy their training bases. The USS Cole was bombed by terrorists, two embassies in Africa were bombed. There were previous incidents. Yet, many politicians today are criticizing the President, and looking for ways to pull out.
Can you imagine anyone back at the time of D-
As I see it, this retreat attitude developed in the Korean War, carried over to Viet Nam and now is reflected in some politicians approach to the current situation.
Of course, the argument is given that it was wrong to attack those countries. If so, why did the Clinton administration launch those missiles? No one made an issue of it then, and he was praised for taking action.
See why I am confused? Here we have people out there who are determined to destroy our way of life. Recently, one of their leaders said the fight won't be over until they destroy the White House.
No doubt a different approach is needed, but recent surveys are reporting that over fifty percent of our people want to call it quits.
Being a member of what has been called "The Greatest Generation," I find it quite disturbing that so many influential people and government leaders seem to think that Terrorism is just a passing event and if we try to be nice to these people, nothing serious will happen. I keep trying to picture how that would have gone over in the ‘40s. Neville Chamberlain thought he could negotiate with Hitler and announced "Peace in our time." A few months later, England was at war with Hitler. Who can we negotiate with now? Does anyone really believe that Usama Bin Laden will come out of hiding and sit down around a table and discuss a peace treaty?
Do you see why I am confused? In 1941 the future of our country was at stake. In 2007, I believe the future of our country is at stake, again. We must stop the terrorists who are planning our destruction. How we do that is, of course, open to discussion. This Oldtimer hopes that the American people will begin to recognize the serious problem we have and force our government leaders to do whatever is necessary to stop these plotters.