Election determines fate of nation
#1
10-19-2004, 09:14 PM
Election determines fate of nation
http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2004/...r%20column.txt
Election determines fate of nation
Published in the Daily Record on Oct. 6
By Mathew Manweller
Due to the high demand for this column, the Daily Record has decided to post it online. It is normally not the paper's policy to post opinion columns or editorials online. This column will remain on the site until Oct. 27. Should you want to purchase a print copy of it, please call (509) 925-1414. This content is owned by the Daily Record.
In that this will be my last column before the presidential election, there will be no sarcasm, no attempts at witty repartee. The topic is too serious, and the stakes are too high.
This November we will vote in the only election during our lifetime that will truly matter. Because America is at a once-in-a-generation crossroads, more than an election hangs in the balance. Down one path lies retreat, abdication and a reign of ambivalence.
Down the other lies a nation that is aware of it's past and accepts the daunting obligation its future demands. If we choose poorly, the consequences will echo through the next 50 years of history. If we, in a spasm of frustration, turn out the current occupant of the White House, the message to the world and ourselves will be two-fold. First, we will reject the notion that America can do big things. Once a nation that tamed a frontier, stood down the ***** and stood upon the moon, we will announce to the world that bringing democracy to the Middle East is too big of a task for us. But more significantly, we will signal to future presidents that as voters, we are unwilling to tackle difficult challenges, preferring caution to boldness, embracing the mediocrity that has characterized other civilizations.
The defeat of President Bush will send a chilling message to future presidents who may need to make difficult, yet unpopular decisions. America has always been a nation that rises to the demands of history regardless of the costs or appeal. If we turn away from that legacy, we turn away from whom we are.
Second, we inform every terrorist organization on the globe that the lesson of Somalia was well-learned. In Somalia we showed terrorists that you don't need to defeat America on the battlefield when you can defeat them in the newsroom. They learned that a wounded America can become a defeated America. Twenty-four-hour news stations and daily tracing polls will do the heavy lifting, turning a cut into a fatal blow. Except that Iraq is Somalia times 10. The election of John Kerry will serve notice to every terrorist in every cave that the soft underbelly of American power is the timidity of American voters. Terrorists will know that a steady stream of grisly photos for CNN is all you need to break the will of the American people. Our own self-doubt will take it from there. Bin Laden will recognize that he can topple any American administration without setting foot on the homeland.
It is said that America's W.W.II generation is its 'greatest generation'. But my greatest fear is that it will become known as America's 'last generation.' Born in the bleakness of the Great depression and hardened in the fire of W.W. II, they may be the last American generation that understands the meaning of duty, honor and sacrifice. It is difficult to admit, but I know these terms are spoken with only hollow detachment by many (but not all) in my generation. Too many citizens today mistake 'living in America' as 'being an American.' But America has always been more of an idea than a place. When you sign on, you do more than buy real estate. You accept a set of values and responsibilities.
This November, my generation, which has been absent too long, must grasp the obligation that comes with being an American, or fade into the oblivion they may deserve. I believe that 100 years from now historians will look back at the election of 2004 and see it as the decisive election of our century. Depending on the outcome, they will describe it as the moment America joined the ranks of ordinary nations; or they will describe it as the moment the prodigal sons and daughters of the greatest generation accepted their burden as caretakers of the City on the Hill."
Mathew Manweller is a Central Washington University political science professor.
Election determines fate of nation
Published in the Daily Record on Oct. 6
By Mathew Manweller
Due to the high demand for this column, the Daily Record has decided to post it online. It is normally not the paper's policy to post opinion columns or editorials online. This column will remain on the site until Oct. 27. Should you want to purchase a print copy of it, please call (509) 925-1414. This content is owned by the Daily Record.
In that this will be my last column before the presidential election, there will be no sarcasm, no attempts at witty repartee. The topic is too serious, and the stakes are too high.
This November we will vote in the only election during our lifetime that will truly matter. Because America is at a once-in-a-generation crossroads, more than an election hangs in the balance. Down one path lies retreat, abdication and a reign of ambivalence.
Down the other lies a nation that is aware of it's past and accepts the daunting obligation its future demands. If we choose poorly, the consequences will echo through the next 50 years of history. If we, in a spasm of frustration, turn out the current occupant of the White House, the message to the world and ourselves will be two-fold. First, we will reject the notion that America can do big things. Once a nation that tamed a frontier, stood down the ***** and stood upon the moon, we will announce to the world that bringing democracy to the Middle East is too big of a task for us. But more significantly, we will signal to future presidents that as voters, we are unwilling to tackle difficult challenges, preferring caution to boldness, embracing the mediocrity that has characterized other civilizations.
The defeat of President Bush will send a chilling message to future presidents who may need to make difficult, yet unpopular decisions. America has always been a nation that rises to the demands of history regardless of the costs or appeal. If we turn away from that legacy, we turn away from whom we are.
Second, we inform every terrorist organization on the globe that the lesson of Somalia was well-learned. In Somalia we showed terrorists that you don't need to defeat America on the battlefield when you can defeat them in the newsroom. They learned that a wounded America can become a defeated America. Twenty-four-hour news stations and daily tracing polls will do the heavy lifting, turning a cut into a fatal blow. Except that Iraq is Somalia times 10. The election of John Kerry will serve notice to every terrorist in every cave that the soft underbelly of American power is the timidity of American voters. Terrorists will know that a steady stream of grisly photos for CNN is all you need to break the will of the American people. Our own self-doubt will take it from there. Bin Laden will recognize that he can topple any American administration without setting foot on the homeland.
It is said that America's W.W.II generation is its 'greatest generation'. But my greatest fear is that it will become known as America's 'last generation.' Born in the bleakness of the Great depression and hardened in the fire of W.W. II, they may be the last American generation that understands the meaning of duty, honor and sacrifice. It is difficult to admit, but I know these terms are spoken with only hollow detachment by many (but not all) in my generation. Too many citizens today mistake 'living in America' as 'being an American.' But America has always been more of an idea than a place. When you sign on, you do more than buy real estate. You accept a set of values and responsibilities.
This November, my generation, which has been absent too long, must grasp the obligation that comes with being an American, or fade into the oblivion they may deserve. I believe that 100 years from now historians will look back at the election of 2004 and see it as the decisive election of our century. Depending on the outcome, they will describe it as the moment America joined the ranks of ordinary nations; or they will describe it as the moment the prodigal sons and daughters of the greatest generation accepted their burden as caretakers of the City on the Hill."
Mathew Manweller is a Central Washington University political science professor.
#3
10-19-2004, 10:42 PM
RE: Election determines fate of nation
ORIGINAL: indy85_starion
Published in the Daily Record on Oct. 6
By Mathew Manweller
Published in the Daily Record on Oct. 6
By Mathew Manweller
You know, I saw a poll yesterday that indicated that 62% of republicans believe that Iraq was linked to 9/11 even though the current administration openly admits that no such link exists. What could explain such a thing? Scratching head.....
#4
10-19-2004, 11:21 PM
RE: Election determines fate of nation
According to a poll, 100% of weenie liberals think Saddam was a sweet guy who should have been treated with a global coalition of sensitivity. The same poll shows that these weenies would like to see Saddam sentenced to six or eight weeks of community service as punishment for being the Butcher of Baghdad and international supporter of terrorism. They figure that'll show him.
#5
10-19-2004, 11:38 PM
RE: Election determines fate of nation
Oh, you're being too hard on yourself (I saw evidence on another thread that you're now voting for Kerry) 
. A simple "I don't know" would have sufficed.
. A simple "I don't know" would have sufficed.
#6
10-20-2004, 06:02 AM
RE: Election determines fate of nation
Your poll means nothing. I don't think you grasp that. It was a poll taken by and for liberals to advance a liberal talking point. Can you spell "b i a s e d?"
To me it's more incredible that the liberals keep insisting there's no connection between Saddam and 9/11. Why do they keep insisting this when no one ever said there was a connection?
To me it's more incredible that the liberals keep insisting there's no connection between Saddam and 9/11. Why do they keep insisting this when no one ever said there was a connection?
#7
10-20-2004, 12:01 PM
RE: Election determines fate of nation
I guess you missed the first debate, when Bush said that the Iraq invasion was a direct response to Saddam's 9/11 attack. Kerry then corrected him and Bush found it necessary to inform the American people that he did in fact know who Osama bin Laden is... It was really hysterical!
The current administration has worked hard to connect Iraq to 9/11 from day one and were unconcerned about the facts. Hell, Rumsfeld wanted to attack Iraq in direct response to 9/11 ("there are no good targets in Afghanistan")......
The current administration has worked hard to connect Iraq to 9/11 from day one and were unconcerned about the facts. Hell, Rumsfeld wanted to attack Iraq in direct response to 9/11 ("there are no good targets in Afghanistan")......
#8
10-20-2004, 02:30 PM
RE: Election determines fate of nation
ORIGINAL: Lugnut
Your poll means nothing. I don't think you grasp that. It was a poll taken by and for liberals to advance a liberal talking point. Can you spell "b i a s e d?"
Your poll means nothing. I don't think you grasp that. It was a poll taken by and for liberals to advance a liberal talking point. Can you spell "b i a s e d?"
#9
10-20-2004, 06:05 PM
RE: Election determines fate of nation
Well, I did have to leave the TV room and go pee a couple of times during the first debate. I don't know why Bush said that. That's never been the administrations claim as far as I can remember. Maybe it was that bulge on his back speaking.
But anyway, you say these "poll" numbers are just "feelings" you have. Now I understand. You adjust a biased poll by your feelings. Then, when someone states that your numbers are biased, you claim they're in denial. That can only make sense to a liberal moonbat.
But anyway, you say these "poll" numbers are just "feelings" you have. Now I understand. You adjust a biased poll by your feelings. Then, when someone states that your numbers are biased, you claim they're in denial. That can only make sense to a liberal moonbat.
#10
10-20-2004, 06:46 PM
RE: Election determines fate of nation
You sure are good at duckin'!
Two sources -- each from over a year ago (you can tell me why that matters later) -- neither source is particularly liberal...
CS Monitor
USA Today
Two sources -- each from over a year ago (you can tell me why that matters later) -- neither source is particularly liberal...
CS Monitor
USA Today