Redstate

By phred Posted in Endorsements — Comments (1) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

Here are my frank observations of what every thinking American should consider in the 2008 general election.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, I have delved deeply into my own political beliefs as well as those of other parties and special interests. This has led me to a conclusion about the current global security crisis and its corrective course of action: There is NO SINGLE NATIONAL ISSUE more important to the well being of future of the American way of life than that of neutralizing Islamic terrorism. There is nothing more important in the opposition of this REAL and EMINENT THREAT against us (and the entire world) than our waging an unwavering and relentless fight to defeat this enemy and political doctrine that doesn't recognize this is not an option.

If this enemy is not destroyed, all other real or imagined issues that we may individually find important will become moot. The victims of the World Trade Center bombing have joined the ranks of those that are indifferent concerning overtime pay; flag burning, health care, taxes, reproductive rights, prescription drug prices and Social Security. The victims (or their survivors for that matter,) of the next catastrophe will be equally unconcerned about whether there were WMDs, racial profiling, terrorist access to our judicial process and the lack of France’s approval of our actions.

Our enemy has proven itself dishonorable in its agreements with others. They will kill anyone (Anwar Sadat, for starters) that opposes (or agrees with like the many Saudi bombings) their mission. It is not a question of what we have done to deserve this, it is that we ARE, and we are hated. There is no compromise. There can never be peace as long as our foe can strike.

In the short term in Iraq, we are creating the only current Arab democracy. There has been naive discussion of bringing our troops home, but if we abandon the mission in Iraq there will be no second chance in this region. The power vacuum would allow the possible annihilation of millions by pulling out, as was the case in Viet Nam and Gulf ‘91. We will have failed the Kurds once again and this time the Iranians will empower the Shiites, annex Iraq and we will have yet another potential (and now more powerful) nuclear power with which to contend: Iran. At which point there will be no doubt that Israel will suffocate from the weight of an invigorated Arab oppression. That will be the demise of the only other democracy in the mid-east. We have a choice. We can fight a never-ending war against terrorism, or merely a long one.

There will be much second-guessing over the coming decades (or centuries) as to what might have been or which region and at what precise moment should have been the focus of our efforts. But of this there will never be a doubt: There is a war between Islamic terrorists and the world et al; the US is on the right side of this fight; and without the resources of the US (as the ONLY superpower) this evil can never be defeated.

Our enemy does not respect a weak adversary and with this lack of respect comes a confident aggressiveness. Terrorist may be psychopathic but they’re not stupid. We cannot risk election of a consensus builder or appeaser that will send a mixed message to our own people as well as our opponents’. We must be bold. The timid will perish. This is not an intellectual exercise. This is deadly serious.

As a nation, our citizenry now has no greater charge than that of selection of our Commander in Chief. Our adversary is everywhere and nowhere. Our foe is obscure, but his (and her) mission has been demonstrated most graphically. This is not a discussion about self-esteem or polite diplomacy, our enemy has confirmed with certainty that their mission is the destruction of the USA, its allies and anyone who is not of Islam (even that is not an important condition,) even to the exclusion of living to witness the “fruits” of their acts.

I had been complacent with national security and in my small way, willing to dilute any conservative gains with ideological semantic-based protest votes. I had found many points of agreement with the Libertarian Party. Up to 9/11 I had entertained the thought of voting for some Libertarian candidates. Post 9/11 we can no longer afford the extravagance of experimentation in intellectual political thesis. Our mission must be clear and our aim straight. This is a time to discourage the fragmentation of the only party that clearly has the guts to do what needs to be done and the political power to lead this nation on this great task. This is also a time for the politically moderate and dissenters to join the US team for the sake of what we all hold sacred, which includes the right of dissention. Democrat, Republican, liberal or conservative there is only one choice: survival.

This is now only the beginning of a noble struggle for freedom and peace. President Bush has just started to fight this war and the momentum of these first years is crucial to us AND the world. This peace cannot be negotiated. It must be won. We cannot stand idly by waiting for Milque Toast leaders to come on board or bless our efforts while our enemy grows stronger. A change or hesitation in leadership or direction at this critical crossroads is our enemies’ best possible desire. The only viable bearer of this torch is John McCain, as he is not the choice of Al Qaida.

America has a clear mission. For whatever reasons you may possibly oppose John McCain (if you do oppose him,) I think this nation believes that he believes in our nation’s role in this mission. I think we believe in the solemnity of his actions to that end. Our enemy will not rest as long as any of us are alive. We cannot rest until they are defeated.

A President McCain cannot accomplish our mission alone. A majority Republican senate and strong congress will grease the wheels of the republic and display our resolve and determination to the rest of the world. It will also drag us from the quagmire of petty political bickering so that the important undertaking at hand can be addressed. If there ever was a time that we must be united and unambiguous, it is now. We must focus. This is not a time for feel-good measures and sensitivity. This is not a war to win the hearts of our antagonist. Just as Britain rallied to the drums of strong leadership for the common defense in WWII, we must likewise recognize that our situation demands vigilance and a vision that has not (unlike FDR in WWII) emerged in the Democratic offering.

Your vote does count. It must be a moral as well as quantitative victory. If you are not registered, register now. Whatever your hot button, whatever your crusade, or political litmus test it must (at least temporarily) be put on hold. All other issues pale by comparison. If you believe as I do, tell others and spread the word. Talk to your family. Talk to your friends. Talk to strangers. Do something! We can make a difference. We are all soldiers.

We can fight this battle where our enemies are now or as an indecisive rival we can allow the battlefield to be chosen for us. Where do you think our enemy will choose to fight?