Comments for It's time again...

It's time again...

2005-08-19T05:07:32Z

...to trot this out. I posted it on the Flight Ops wall in Boz on 17 September, 2001.

In times when the MSM pontificates that the only thing we're accomplishing with the GWOT is the bloody downsizing of our Armed Forces, and disheartened relatives of the slain moan that every extra day we're in battle dishonors the memories of their loved ones, remember this:

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling, which thinks that nothing is worth war, is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. �John Stuart Mill (1868)

And unless we remain willing to fight this war and win it, there will, in time, *be* no personal safety...

Comment from Cricket on 2005-08-21

2005-08-21T14:12:30Z

Ditto. Heh. I dislike Rush for a great many reasons, but at least he has supported the military and deplored the horrific cuts Clinton made in the 90s to increase the welfare state. It is a hot weekend and grilling and baking are on the agenda. While I can relate to Cindy Sheehan's pain of losing a loved one, I find it rather odd that she demands an explanation of her son's ability to make a choice and follow through with it. He signed. There are a great many fifth column type pieces out there that deplore recruiting practices, or how 'Bush lied and men died.' Uh, and I don't mean to step on the Chief's toes here, but I have a rant about Bosnia coming on. I supported the military there but not the reasons or the CIC who sent them there in the early 90s. Bill check your email for incoming questions!

Comment from Boquisucio on 2005-08-19

2005-08-19T18:36:39Z

Though not necessarily a big fan of that Large Pompous Windbag, sometimes referred to as: Rush Limbaugh, on this subject, he nailed it down on a Monologue that he streamed out of his conscience last Monday. Here is the MONOLOGUE.

Comment from Barb on 2005-08-19

2005-08-19T14:58:58Z

That's a great quote. The day after 9/11, a friend and co-worker sent me that quote in an email which was quite moving. I still have it - to re-read now and again.

Comment from BloodSpite on 2005-08-19

2005-08-19T12:24:17Z

Well Said Bill!!

Comment from AFSister on 2005-08-19

2005-08-19T12:12:50Z

Awesome quote, Bill! I've never heard it before. Isn't it amazing that it was spoken in 1868 and still applies today? WOW.... so cool.

Comment from Dad29 on 2005-08-19

2005-08-19T12:11:04Z

"War is not 'the best way of settling differences; it is the only way of preventing their being settled for you." G K Chesterton Same author: "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."

Comment from John on 2005-08-19

2005-08-19T11:52:10Z

Oops, sorry for the double post. I double tapped the mouse.

Comment from John on 2005-08-19

2005-08-19T11:51:14Z

I've always liked that quote from Mill. It sums up the difference between right and left. John Lennon alludes to it in "Imagine" when he wishes that the was "nothing to...die for."

Comment from John on 2005-08-19

2005-08-19T11:51:01Z

I've always liked that quote from Mill. It sums up the difference between right and left. John Lennon alludes to it in "Imagine" when he wishes that the was "nothing to...die for."

Comment from cw4(ret)billt on 2005-08-19

2005-08-19T10:32:49Z

FbL - It turned out that we actually *did* go to the right country. There's a TINS in it and what we did shortly after we arrived is open-source, but I have to verify that what we *found* is, too...

Comment from FbL on 2005-08-19

2005-08-19T05:35:25Z

Wow! I didn't realize you guys left NJ for Bosnia so soon after 9-11. That must've been a really hard trip--feeling like you were headed to the wrong foreign country! And thanks for reminding us of that quote. It's one of my favorites, but it always seems to fade a bit in my mind. But then when I encounter it again, those first two sentences never fail to inspire me--and I move forward still with heavy heart, but reminded that sometimes hard and ugly things cannot be avoided.