Published: November 05, 2007 12:23 pm      

11/4/2007 Letter to the Editor

How long has it been?

Dear Editor:



How long has it been since you heard or sang “God Bless America?” Well, as Pop Myres used to say “that’s just way too long.” There was a time when it was understood that wars were only fought to be won and everyone would get into the fray or the spirit of the cause, singing or listening to that kind of song, at the drop of a hat.

May it never be politically incorrect to gather and sing songs like this or “America, the Beautiful,” or “The Star Spangled Banner.” Some later generations have been shielded to some degree from innate patriotism by challengers of true history and “one world strategists.”

The government worked hard to prevent a politically patriotic war during the Vietnam conflict because the public would have demanded a prompt and complete victory. Was it reasonable to send troops into Korea and Vietnam, where thousands were killed and many more thousands were damaged for life without 100 percent support from the government and the public?

More tolerance was afforded the hippies and to Jane Fonda’s consorting with the enemy than to the beleaguered troops, thus allowing the costs to be greater as a result of the noise made by these U.S. dissidents.

Troops were spat upon and the flag was burned by these disgraceful and loud mouthed groups who claimed to be Americans. May we have patriotism and show compassion, support, respect and honor for all those who go into battle as ordered, regardless of our feelings about the war. Past and present wars were declared by a two-party Congress. Let’s not also quit this one unfinished and leave ourselves more inviting and vulnerable to future attacks.

We are now in a war with radical Muslims who have world Islamic domination engrained into their hearts and minds. There are many Muslims in this country, and I hope that most are peaceful law-abiding people, but from what I see going on in Europe and England, I will regard them as potential threats until they separate themselves, in public displays, from their radical brethren.

With their shari’a-minded clerics giving them their orders for each day, we cannot take their presence lightly. They will not voluntarily go away, so stay alert and cautious concerning them and their powerful groups in the U.S.

Although this war is a terrible and horrible affair, I will support the troops in every way possible and assure them of my appreciation for their serving and maybe dying for our protection. Hopefully, none of us will lose family members, friends or hometown heroes in the fight. But the singing of “God Bless America” or “The Star-Spangled Banner” should still bring tears to our eyes as we realize what America is and what it really means to the rest of the world, as it is and not what some wish to make it.

May we all have the conviction that we would, if and when necessary, fight and die for the U.S., a country truly blessed.



Monte Swatzell

Cleburne