As I listen to events in this war on terror, it is becoming increasingly clear to me that the mainstream media, and that part of the public that buys into their nonsense, have a growing disconnect with the military in this country. Part of this is natural---there are fewer and fewer people with military experience in all walks of life.
But there is more to it than that. I believe that the disconnect has become institutionalized and extends beyond the news media and into films and other genres of the arts as well. Instead of being viewed as the wall that works to maintain our fragile democracy, the military is seen by many "elites" as some sort of sideshow curiosity ripe for social experimentation. The reason is simple: if you went to the Columbia School of Journalism, Havard Law School or you work in Hollywood or on Broadway, you don't know anyone serving in the military. It is a completely different society that, in some people's minds, has no impact on their day-to-day existence.
Once doesn't have to go very far back in this nation's history to see a time when this was not the case. Before 1973 brought an end of the draft, many American males had been exposed to life in the military. They may not have liked it, but at least they knew which end of the tube the round came out of. During World War Two, every family in the country had a member in uniform. Today, less than one-tenth of one percent of the nation is in uniform at any given time. On one hand, we should be thankful that we no longer need to keep a huge standing Army, Navy and Air Force. But on the other hand, we have lost the shared communal experience of the veteran.
I bring all this up because of something I read on Hugh Hewitt's site. Hugh is a talk show host out of LA who is constantly hammering the LA Times, and with good reason. One of their reporters, in conjuction with MSNBC, put out a hit piece on the general who is in charge of Special Forces' operations to find and neutralize terrorists. If you have a minute, read both of the articles I have linked in this paragraph.
Make no mistake about it---this guy is the real thing. He's slept in trenches, seen men die in combat and killed bad guys. So what's the problem? He's a Christian with an opinion and he has shared his thoughts with church congregations nationwide. Do I share his views? Not all of them. I have sort of a dim view of fundamentalist Christianity, as those of you who have been readers of mine may know. But this guy is the focus of a media attack not because of what he has done in the name of his beliefs, but because of what he has SAID in a PRIVATE VENUE, in this case several churches. The LA Times went so far as to use the term "jihad" in its article and make it appear as if he used the term to describe our war on terror (he never used the word, as the reporter later admitted). To the Great Thinkers on the Left, religion is dangerous and, by God, we'd better not give those bastards guns.
So who cares, you say? Good question. Here's a fact: if you removed everyone of a religious bent from the military, you wouldn't have enough people left to take over Paris. Funny thing is, the people who write these articles, who constantly make snide remarks about those who serve, who like to keep a "close eye" on the military, are the kind of people who would never serve, even if the need was dire. They are too weak and too sissified to believe in anything larger than a byline.
We need to keep a tight control over our military. History is full of military strongmen who became dictators while the civilian population slept. But is it too much to ask for a basic level of respect? Is there not enough dignity left in those who are better at cynicism than action to at least consider that a man with strong religious conviction can still uphold his sworn duty to defend the Constitution and follow the orders of the Commander-in-Chief? Were Patton, MacArthur and Grant all dangerous because they believed?
Right now, as you read this, there are thousands of men and women in harm's way. They might hate what they're doing, but they're doing it anyway. You will never know their names or probably even care about them, but they are doing it for you. And, most likely, at least some of them are carrying Bibles. Be glad.
I believe more people share your views than the press or media will ever admit. I simply don't understand how they can sell their minority opinions on the masses though.
Posted by: Erik at October 18, 2003 10:13 PMLast time I checked, people (including Generals had a right to free speech and freedom from religious persecution). When that was written it was meant for non-anglican christians. I don't find his views divisive. What's next, is our money going to say " In God/allah we trust"? Name one major positive that Muslims have done in the name of allah for this country. I can name some severe negatives they have done here!
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