Wednesday, November 16, 2005

Who Will Guard?

A very basic and fundamental role of national government is defense. Maintaining a nation’s security from external threat is critical if the citizens are to be free to pursue their lives, raise their families and build a prosperous future. I’m at a loss to build a strong opposition argument to that basic postulate.

I can most assuredly build an argument against war. It would depend upon some assumptions that I’m not too comfortable with. I would have to assume rational threats as a starting point. Or, maybe no serious threats at all. Evidence in the current world, even if we insert some media-driven skepticism regarding the accuracy of our intelligence, leads me to conclude that there are serious threats against our nation and when I see the video replaying in my head of the airliners being driven into the side of the World Trade Center towers I can harbor no assumption of rationality.

But, if I surrender entirely to emotion and eschew harsh reality, I can say that war is bad. Peace is better. Killing is part of war and we shouldn’t kill. We should negotiate, appease, love and nurture rather than destroy, hunt and kill. Going to war is unpleasant and some percentage of those who go to war will be hurt. That will not be nice. Families (stand up back there in the corner, Ms Sheehan…) will be torn asunder and suffer loss of loved ones. This is not good. Better not to go to war, not get people killed, not be separated from loved ones and live happily ever after. Can I note that as being extremely unlikely?

That’s why I was appalled the other night when I saw the video of the protests in Seattle against military recruiters in schools. Take a look at: Seattle Hates the Military and, be sure to watch the linked video. Pay particular attention to the vapid expression of the young man who thinks it wouldn’t be good “like, doing war stuff,” as a profession. You will be given a short break after watching to rush to the bathroom and attempt to avoid regurgitation. This punk makes me sick.

What is wrong with these people? Who will defend them? Why should anyone sacrifice for these pitifully self-centered pacifists who not only won’t take responsibility for their own safety but are also unwilling to even listen to the offerings of their ideological opposition?

It is tolerable, if not intellectually honest, to embrace pacifism. It is not tolerable in a free nation to attempt to muzzle those with whom you disagree. Allowing military recruiters access to high school campuses is not going to lead to unwilling students being dragged kicking and screaming off into service of their country. These aren’t British impressment crews seeking to Shanghai teen-agers into a life of military servitude. How can a school system determine what is best in terms of career opportunity for all of their students based on a narrow world view of an elitist few? Is the predominant pacifist view of the Seattle schools’ faculty and student body so fragile that it cannot stand before an NCO in a pressed uniform who wishes to describe an opportunity for graduates to serve their country?

And, how can a school system which has this perspective be expected to teach history and government and philosophy to prepare their students for real life in a harsh world?

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