Point of View
It's Not Veteran's Day, But I Still Thank The Troops
By Tommy Garrett
Jul 20, 2008 - 11:18:03 AM

Last week I received emails asking why I had not written an editorial piece. Maybe it was that statement Jesse Jackson made about what he’d like to do to Obama for “speaking down to black people”? I have to admit, I took to my bed for a few hours after hearing that. Growing up in the South, I didn’t have such fond memories of what Reverend Jackson wanted to do to another human being. Another example of a minister gone wrong. The real reason he was so upset is that having Obama become a major candidate for president sort of makes his whining about America being so racist a moot point, doesn’t it? Take it from me, though there are many vile bigots in our nation, we still live in the greatest nation in the history of the world and Jackson is not representative of America’s greatest. Not at all. Enough said.
   Does anyone have the feeling we are in the "Twilight Zone" politically? Now comes news that the administration will send their third highest diplomat to discuss with an Iranian envoy the issues that they have refused to discuss for over seven years. This, all while sitting back and allowing the Europeans to make promises and use the carrot without any sign of a stick in order to get the Iranians to suspend their uranium enrichment process. We are the world’s only superpower; we should have been involved in these talks from day one. At the very least, if they don’t go well, we could have then said, "This is why we need military involvement." We are going to be hated and blamed for whatever we have to do militarily, but I have a belief that if you are at least talking to these people, you have the moral authority when you have to use the stick instead of the carrot. Amazing that after the Bush administration talked to North Korea, they at least seem to be moving in the right direction. But the next administration will have to monitor very closely the Iranian threat and North Korea’s serial promises - ones they don’t tend to keep.
   Then there is the latest news that Barack Obama will be making a trek to Afghanistan and Iraq to fact find. However, before he has even left he seems to have dug his heels into the withdrawal from Iraq stance. That being said, McCain is now in the mode of changing strategy as well. Word came this week that his own home state of Arizona is in play or close to it. So maybe McCain is like every other politician - afraid to stand up to the American people and tell them consistently the best path for our country, even at his or her own political peril. Not that I tell people what stance to take. We have freedom in America to believe and speak whatever we want. But it’s too bad that politicians go by polls when we are in the middle of a war, instead of going by what our generals are telling us is best for the nation.
   We lost in Vietnam because politicians ran the war according to polls. This enemy is watching and waiting out the clock because this enemy is more vile and dangerous than any we’ve ever faced before. I hope that our nation’s leaders will one day return to speaking truth even when it’s unpopular. Young Americans and young people all over the world don’t seem to have anyone who is strong and decisive anymore. Many don’t even have two parents to be strong moral figures in their lives anymore. Don’t get me wrong, this may all sound pessimistic, but that’s not how I feel about America. We are the greatest nation on the planet. But every day I thank the American troops who are brave and strong and fighting for my right to even print this opinion piece. I hope you thank a soldier today as well.


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