The Conflict

"These are the times that try men's souls". I am opening my blog with a quote from Thomas Paine's The American Crisis written in December 1776. At that time the Revolutionary War was just underway, but the movement to American independence was not universally supported by the colonies. Even though General George Washington led his fellow patriots into battle against the British, other colonists remained loyal to the crown or supported appeasement to the oppressive regime to avoid war. American blood had already been spilled at Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill, but still many thought that if the Americans would give some concessions, and liberties to the British, violence could be adverted. Morale for the independence movement was low. These patriots, hunkered down in camps in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, cold and hungry, thought of their homes back in Massachusetts and Virginia, sitting around the fire with their families. Wouldn't it be so easy to surrender? Give in to British demands? Paine sensed this feeling swarming around the ranks, and penned his eloquent and straightforward writing, reminded the patriots what they were fighting against, and what they were fighting for: "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value". In the American patriot's mind, liberty and freedom were worth the price of war. Diplomacy with the Crown was tried and failed, only a resort to arms would prevent oppression and grant liberty. Paine's words were well received with the troops and colonists, and in the next years American resolve strengthened and key battles won. The American Crisis convinced many Loyalists and would-be appeasers that war with Britain was the only chance to save human liberty, the ultimate sacrifice was necessary for the good of mankind.

227 years later once again human liberty is threatened, in ways that are more dangerous than the founding Americans faced. America and the rest of the free world is under attack by Islamic fascists that seek to destroy our civilization, namely a society that believes in liberty and the advancement of mankind. We are a threat to their revolution, to make the world dominated by Islamic fundamentalism and ruled by caliphs, much like the Arab world in the 8th century. They do not want peace; their view is to destroy the infidel, all "non-believers" who do not share their religious and political views. But while their political vision is stuck in the 8th century, their means are in the 21st. Communications and weapons will be and are used to inflict as much murder and damage as possible. Right now in 2003, there is a correlation with us and the patriots of 1776, but our fight is on a greater scale. The freedom of the modern world is not safe with these terrorists and rogue nations aiming to arm themselves with weapons of devastating consequences. But even in this balance of civilization there are people and nations who believe appeasement to the evil will solve the problem. France, Germany, and Belgium are thwarting every move the the US and its allies make to try to cripple Iraq's maniacal advancement. Many in the Left believe that America and Israel are to blame for the Islamic terrorism and we should listen to their demands before we take action, even though many Americans have trouble sleeping at night, for fear of waking up the next morning and hearing that a horrendous calamity struck Washington, Miami, or Denver. We can not reason with this enemy. Diplomacy has been tried by the UN many times and has failed. These are indeed the times that try men's souls, and is why we must resort to arms to once again protect the civilized world.

With this space I wish to discuss these trying and historic times, and offer my and other viewpoints regarding the Conflict. Much like Thomas Paine, I would like to convince many neutrals and appeasers that their way cannot work, and in the end may help our destruction. The world must open their eyes and become vigilant to the evil that is spreading; I hope that Cato's Letters will help that cause. Everything won't always be completely serious, even in serious times life must go on. Music, books, and films are the products of a free society too, and comment and review about them will also be published here.

So I invite you to come back here often and peruse my rants. While they may not always will be agreeable, I hope they will be interesting.