Living Expanses

Living Expanses
A semi-regular accounting of Christopher J. Arndt

Thursday, March 20, 2003

We are at war.

I'd like to point out that we have reached and are engaging in a last resort, This is not an epic conflict nor a challenge to en evil empire or a dark rival. We do not face an impossible evil. This war is neccessary as a serious and tangible attempt to prevent harm from befalling ourselves. This war should be easy; it is an attempted conquest of a foe presumably weaker than us for a cause that is just. The fight isn't fair and that may make it seem like murder or bullying.

It isn't.

We fight in order to defend the truth and obtain the final knowledge that a threatening enemy cannot and will not become a viable foe. We battle to liberate a nation ruled by a dictator and turn the culture towards us.

Whether or not this war is justifiable as I believe it is or whether or not the war is right there stands a simple fact that it's too late. We cannot stop we are involved. I say 'we' and I mean it. Regardless of what individuals fight or merely live and who supports the war or opposes the war we are a nation. We chose a government. By rule of law we elected a President. This leader along with others steered our forces towards a direction that he thought was correct. He dedicated us and our military towards a course of action that some agree with and others disagree with. We are on course and now there is nothing we can do about it.
What that means is that somewhere out there there are American warriors. These men and women dedicated their lives to the protection of this nation, its ideals, and its interests. The nation stands as a collection of people, citizens bonded together by association, affiliation, and a set of mutual beliefs. The ideals within are crafted and reshaped everyday by a fluidic people yet stand side by side with those held up and declared over 225 years ago; some of those made today are based on those of yesterday; they drive us and guide us. The interests are decided by those we've appointed to lead us and manage the business of our lives. These are the interests that are decided by some of us but not all of us but indeed are vital and important to our living.

The United States Armed Forces is made up of men and women who have volunteered to defend our lives and our liberties in many shapes. They do what they do under their own wills and have dedicated themselves to the noblest of causes. They indeed act out one of the noblest of roles. The sacrifice themselves so that others may enjoy and embrace life. They risk their lives for us. They run the risk of losing their lives in a great attempt to safeguard ours and our very freedom. This is not just "the ultimate sacrifice"; it's not something to be summed with three words and a tear and forgotten about.

Let us recall that this dedication is to stand in place of the rest of us.

What this means is that they stand as valuable individuals. And as guardians or as individuals like ourselves they are not to be wasted. They are our sons and daughters and brothers and sisters. Some are parents. They have their duties at home and abroad. We should not sacrifice neither our guardians nor our brethren nor the merest of relations: that of the fellowship of man.

We have dedicated our forces through a course of action. They cannot simply be recalled. We have put for the our men and women into danger for our sakes de facto. Regardless of puny rhetoric and justifications they are our there. They have dedicated themselves and we have dedicated them. Our efforts must be full now and not a fraction. What we need is to keep these men as safe as possible. What we need is victory over the enemy and a massive effort to save lives. They are not drops of rain but men. The fathers should return for their babies and sons return to become fathers someday. The men and women who support us need to be supported to the full because if we lose them we lose pieces of ourselves.

Regardless of ease of conquest of our enemies we send men and women into danger and they risk death. Our enemies, however insignificant seemingly, do deal death. They are capable of ending lives. This crusade is one of sacrifice. We don't want to sacrifice much. Let us praise and protect our guardian warriors however possible.

There are questions and bad questions and people who should have and could have sought their answers long ago. I won't answer all of their questions; they are being stupid. But questions should be asked and answers should be sought. Challenges should be made at the appropriate time. We should not divide when we can unite. We cannot stop a war but we can end it. Those that should be held accountable for certain actions should be held accountable.

We should be appropriate.

posted by Chris Arndt | 2:57 AM