GW's War

'Free Men with the guidance of a Supreme Being could achieve Humanity's best form of governance.'
And the result is that the US Constitution, drafted in 1787 and ratified 2 years later, has extended its jurisdiction from a dozen colonies on the East coast throughout the American continent to the West Coast, then to Alaska, and then halfway around the world to Hawaii. This Constitution has bound together Alaska and Florida, Hawaii and Georgia, California and NH.
Most Constitutions in this world are younger than I am, but the US Const., the world's oldest, has proven itself to be immortal.
One cannot call himself a free man if he lives in a country governed by men. Only citizens of countries governed by laws are free men.

Nicely done Otis. I knew everything you wrote about but it is good to see it put together like this. It is hard to comprehend the risks that these great men took. I am afraid in todays "gotta have it now" world such a feat would hardly be possible, at least in the western world.

Let us all take stock and thank God that we live in such a place as the United Staes of America.

I shudder to think what would happen if we had to wage a war for independance today with the state of the left.

'spend their available resources killing people'

Well, as you know, an independent homeland is never cost-free. Although the MSM are constantly denying that.

'The demographics of the signers were as follows: Benjamin Franklin was the oldest at seventy, 18 were under forty and 3 were in their twenties.'

Well, most creators of the French Revolution were young (i.e. younger than 40). One of them, Louis Saint-Just, was 27 when he died. The author of the American Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, was merely 33.

Hear! Hear!

I never fail to be moved by the second paragraph. It is the most powerful set of words, IMHO, written in the history of mankind. It is the bedrock of our democracy. No American speaks this eloquently anymore. There's the pity.

Bubba, after recently spending a year in Boston, I can tell you the Revolution, if it had to begin again, WOULDN'T begin in Boston! Sheesh! I was a red dot in a sea of blue...

Bush did have the majority of congress when they approved the 2002 Joint Resolution to Authorize Military Force against Iraq. He may not have had the volunteer military troops from allied countries to help enforce the UN sanctions. But he did have the moral integrity to do what he thought was right. He took the long view rather than the short view. As POTUS, he had considered the US interests of the future. Future historians will write a different story about his bold decisions.

Hear ! Hear !

Nice piece. We need to be reminded that the Declaration of Independence is the raison d'etre of our Constitution. Those of us, on the right and the left, should reread it on occasion (like today) to remind ourselves why our forefathers determined to fight such a trying revolutionary war. Now if Otis can just get a copy of the Declaration of Independence into the hands of Justices Kennedy, Souter, Ginsberg, Breyer, and Stevens.

Bubba, td, if we had to wage a war of independence or even survival, we'd lose miserably (notwithstanding the precious brave few serving in our military). Our young people are spoiled, pampered and utterly corrupted by the effete, anti-American idiots in secondary education and--especially--the universities of this country. If Obama wins the presidency....I give this country less than 10 years before the barbarians relegate us to has-been status--or worse.

"No American speaks this eloquently anymore. There's the pity."

Many certainly try, Pam. The principle difference, I believe, is that there seems to be far less substance, genuine trascendental purpose, and sincerity behind their words.

Folks seem to forget that we are against a perverse ideology that has been at war with mankind since the 700's. A blight against humanity that will not cease until world domination is secured (just read the koran). An ideology that had been suppressed during the 1800's but was given new life during WWI and WWII. It was not until the 1973's oil embargo that this cult began to see its potential. Today, supported by the petro dollar, this cult is now on the offensive and will not stop until its aggression is met with like aggression - or is totally obliterated (which is not possible). Accordingly, we are not just in a struggle in Iraq but in a new World War. A war that will last for several years. GW was just the first president to actually address the problem (albeit after being attacked). Cheers.

There have always been ingrates concerning war, some are down right evil,some are simply ignorant sheep.It's a good thing we have enough sheep dogs to keep our great country safe.

Sometimes the war is necessary...whether popular or not. The troops believe in this conflict...the armed forces are meeting their re-enlistment quotas for the year before the end of the second quarter. You imply that we've all been duped. Well...someone has.

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.'"

Our leaders would do well to consider this. Often.
As should we...especiall the "right" and "duty" part.

It is ironic that a society and government based on such magnificent beliefs, once out of the realms of North America and Europe, turn to such monsters for societies they come in contact with... Very sad transformation for Mankind.

Otis! My man! Great read. Thank you!
Before the Battle of Long Island...one of the first major engagements of the Revolution... the King deployed an overwhelming D-Day scale amphibious armada to quickly crush the rebellion...Royal Navy Ships of the Line to the horizon...described by witnesses as a vast forest of masts... loaded with seasoned infantry and cavalry...SCARY stuff to the untested Colonial militiamen (Run they did!)...GW addressed his trembling troops with the following exhortation..."The fate of millions yet unborn will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army..." Wow. He knew something. He was thinking about US. GW's greatness is truly beyond modern comprehension. Be worthy of this good man's prescience. I've spent a greater part of my day reading about him. I fully realize that America is not a 'government' as much as it is a divinely inspired ancient idea that dwells in the hearts of 'We the People' everywhere. Puny Marxist 'theories' pale to microscopic insignificance in comparison.
Happy Birthday America! Have a BBQ! Grill here! Grill now!

The sad fact is that there is no way we could fight and win a war of independence today.
We have become a country of Lawyers not one of Law. An absurd example, I saw what was puported to be the NAU constitution, a product of lawyers. If I remember correctly it was 200 pages.
We have truly created a monster. Some kind of "housecleaning" is becoming more necessary almost by the hour.
We are currently in, and face the very real possibility of "legal and political gridlock" like we have never seen in our history.
This very well done review of how we became a nation is timely and more than appropriate to these times.

God Bless America
LEE

As a joyful addendum to my posting. As I was composing my patiotic missive...three Air Guard A-10 Warthogs (here on a rare visit) took off in rapid 'Sierra Hotel' succession from the local airport and buzzed my home at rooftop level...I was 'yahooing' and fist pumping like a complete idiot (...much to my wife's amusement.) What the hell was that? Wake up you drunks!
Now I know how Chris Matthews felt at BHO's race speech!

Happy Independence Day to all American Thinker readers.

I'm with PamL in finding the second paragraph of the Declaration to be some of the most inspiring thought in Western culture. The strength of the people who persevered through internal and external adversity to lay the foundation for our democratic republic was truly epic. We must never forget, and we must find a way to defeat those within our midst who work to dilute, diffuse and denigrate the freedoms which allow us to exist as we do. Our children, their children and all future generations depend on our ability to communicate the importance of our founding documents - the Declaration, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

and what has happened to our country,lately..in the past 75 yrs. from FDR thru GWB, we have seen an exponential growth of governments. higher taxes ,regulations,loss of personal liberties from both political parties.what would GW think of the MILITARY COMMISSIONS ACT '06 or PATRIOT ACT??WAR is the health of the STATE...

To Anonymous, Nuke09, and Brian:

Please read the article before posting; this was not about George W. Bush or the Iraq War. I almost made the same assumption, but I read further.

"Our young people are spoiled, pampered and utterly corrupted by the effete, anti-American idiots in secondary education and--especially--the universities of this country."

I don't completely agree. Both of my sons are currently on active duty. One is "down range", the other leaves in a couple of months.

My youngest graduated high school last year. I was extremely surprised by how many of his classmates joined the military. It may have been as many as 15% of the graduating class. These kids aren't what John Kerry frequently refers to as "dead enders" or kids with little or no options. Most, like my boys, did indeed study hard while in school and are university bound once they have completed their service (during which time, they will voluntarily be "stuck in Iraq"). All said the same thing, we want to serve before we start, or continue, our educations.

While the prospect of harm coming to any one of these young men or women pains me greatly (I am a disabled veteran myself), I was (and continue to be) extremely proud of each and every one of them.

I wouldn't be so quick to write this generation off as weak or aloof. In fact, I think they have a far better grasp of the threat facing this nation then do most of the folks "serving" in Congress.

Pam L

I completely disagree!
"No American speaks this eloquently anymore. There's the pity."
I was a conservative Dem (Pres of my college YD's) In 1964 when I hreard THE SPEECH in Oct. I voted for Barry because of THE SPEECH.
THE SPEECH was given by the same man who in his second State of the Union address said, "... The govenment can not solve our problems. The government is the problem! ..."
He was a Californian who became President in 1981.
He was a better speaker than jefferson.
He was Gov. of Cal for 8 years before becoming President.
He was America's best President Ronnie!
Based on your comment I am sure you have not seen THE SPEECH; you should Google or Ask it and watch! The man spoke from the heart and there has been none better in America!
Winnie and Adolph may have been better but they were not American!

Excellent article!

"We honor them because of their steadfast belief that Free Men with the guidance of a Supreme Being could achieve Humanity's best form of governance."

Well said.

Happy fourth of July everyone!

Whatever the Anti-war rhetorics made in the last 6 years,

I wonder what CODEPINK and MOVEON of Soros do during 4th of July. Any idea?

I too had to read down quite aways to realize there is or was another GW. It's too bad our judges don't take some time to read what was written so many years prior. And go by it rather than what some country in Europe is doing. Nice job putting this together Otis.

Thank you, to all who took the time & trouble to write comments. I would like to share the following email:
"Otis,
Great article. I am currently in the NM sand training with some extraordinary Americans preparing to defend the cradle of liberty. Keep us in your prayers and rest assured we are prepared to defeat the enemies of the United States. PS: I read your article to my staff. Great for the 4th.
LTC (last name ommitted) (Les)"

I can not tell you how proud I am of this response.
Otis