Folks,
Each week on Wednesday morning, Nick and I and a couple of guys named
Pat and Patrick have breakfast together. There's a nice senior citizen
type who also dines at the Carrow's restaurant on Wednesday mornings,
and we've become friendly with her.
From time to time, she sends me little things about patriotism, faith,
and general curiosity. I don't always agree with them, but I appreciate
the spirit in which they're sent.
A couple of weeks ago, she sent me the following, which sums up some
thoughts I've ben having lately about what's wrong with the current
administration's approach to terrorism -- it gives the terrorists just
what they want: for us to be afraid. For us to lose our freedoms in
the name of a little illusory safety. For us to be _not_ US.
These times don't call for a swaggering chicken-hawk, they call for an
American Winston Churchill. Don't be afraid. In a generation, I want
the bravery and stout-heartedness that this generation showed in the
face of sneaky, underhanded devils to cause them to say, "This was
America's finest hour."
Dave
Begin forwarded message:
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: September 14, 2006 2:21:11 PM PDT
Subject: Fwd: Someone Must Tell Them
It's a given fact there are those who dislike America and Americans.
This isn't the first time in history the free world has been
assaulted by hate-mongers.
During World War II, Mr. Hitler was plain about taking over the world.
Nazi tactics were quite simple: create fear and terror, slaughter and
enslave.
After the first year or so of Nazi conquests, the only piece of free
Europe remaining was the tiny island of England. She stood isolated
and
alone, only a few miles across a narrow channel of water separating
her
from Nazi-occupied France.
Mr. Hitler intended to bomb and burn England into submission. The Nazi
Air Force began bombing England every night. The British Air Force was
outnumbered by at least three to one. British supply ships were being
sunk right and left by German submarines. London burned out of
control,
the water pipes being too badly damaged to put out the fires. People
huddled in subways for protection.
The English people were being beaten down by bombs, starved by sinking
ships, and surrounded by a maniacal gang of thugs.
Mr. Hitler bragged that it was only a matter of a few short weeks
before
he had rung England's neck like that of a chicken. He was already
planning victory marches and speeches.
The English had a different idea. They intended to not only survive
but
to win.
While travelling across America, I met a woman with a strong British
accent. I asked: "Where were you in 1940?"
She said: "London."
"What was it like being bombed 90 nights in a row?"
"It was frightening at first. Sirens went off constantly. Explosions
happened at all hours. Buildings wouldn't quit burning. But after a
week
or so, we all figured out life had to go on. We figured out that until
it was one's time to go, then one was safe. And when it was one's time
to go, then nothing could be done to protect oneself. Prime Minister
Churchill walked through the streets during air raids, shaking his
fist
at the planes. Some people said he was crazy, but we loved him for it.
Mr. Churchill reminded us of our bravery. He told us nothing could
defeat the English spirit. We believed him."
This beautiful woman in her early 80's sat proudly as she spoke. Then
she said: "You know, I've lived in America since shortly after
World War
II. It disturbs me to see the current leaders talk so much about the
dangers of terrorists, and talk so little about what Americans are
made
of. Someone needs to talk to Americans about finding their own
bravery,
and about getting on with life without being constantly frightened by
every little thing. What allowed us in England to hang on during
the war
was not our military force, but the spirit of the people. Americans
have
this same spirit, but no one talks about it. That's a shame,
because it
is the best protection we've got. Someone must tell them."
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