That Basic Thesis

There is nothing more appropriate on the birthday of this nation to remember the basic thesis on which it was founded: 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” (For rest of the text, read here)

I hope that all Americans will continue to be thankful to the Lord God for the rights they enjoy; and along with that, to pursue them for one another wherever they are denied.  May the United States of America continue to be the emblem and champion of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.  Happy Fourth everyone.

Getting the Memory Right

Today is Memorial Day. It is a day dedicated to the memory of American servicemen and women who have given their lives in the advancement of liberty. But of course, there are many who do not believe this to be the overarching purpose of the American military. One such person made this comment in the Singaporean newspaper today:

“The UN has made some headway in getting the junta [of Myanmar] to accept foreign aid. The US and other forces in the vicinity can deliver this aid under the auspices of the UN. This would greatly facilitate their strong desire to participate fruitfully in this calamity. This would be an excellent opportunity for the US to put its immense power to good use, and save lives instead of inflicting misery.”

I agree with the suggestion that the US should put its power to good use. However, what I resent is the last clause of this paragraph. The US inflicting misery? Indirectly perhaps. War is always a horrible thing. Many have died in Iraq and Afghanistan because of stray bullets and bombs. But I cannot help but suspect that what the author of this article is insinuating is that the US inflicts misery on purpose, as a policy. His words seem to be of a piece with those who want to portray the US serviceman and servicewoman as baby-killers–cold-blooded, unintelligent hicks who slaughter innocent people indiscriminately. I thoroughly resent this view not only because it isn’t true, but because it dishonors the soldiers and makes their job even harder. Why is it so hard to see the vast difference between the American soldier and the Taliban/Al Qaeda thug? One’s cause is just (the advancement of freedom and conditions friendly to human rights). The other’s cause is unjust (the protection and advancement of a decrepit perverse religious vision). One strives to kill specifically (only terrorists), the other kills indiscriminately (American soldiers, American civilians, pro-American Iraqis, etc.). If people cannot even see the moral difference between these two kinds of fighters, I shudder to think what else they cannot see. May we not allow the memories of liberty’s guardians to be tarnished by the pseudo-intellectuals of this age–men with empty chests and colorless minds who wax eloquent with profound non-truisms. Such men seem to have no problem calling hell and damnation on the American soldier and that consummate embodiment of American stupidity, George W. Bush. But when it comes to calling radical Muslims to account and to exercise responsibility for their social-economic plights, why, “surely they have a right to practice their religion” and “who are we to tell them what’s good or bad?”

So, may moral buffoons not have the last word on Memorial Day. Pray for the American soldier. Ask that the Lord God would grant him always to do the right thing and pursue justice for the oppressed. Ask the Lord God to not only protect him and bring him home safely but make him victorious in his struggles against those who seek to perpetuate tyranny. Without the US serviceman, the world will be a more dangerous place.