<Our enemies know what they believe.

They're willing to kill for it.

And, more importantly, they're willing to die for it.

Are the young men and women who may be called on to defend our civilization willing to make the same sacrifice?

-- “The Young and the Gutless”, by Rod Dreher / NYPost.com





I should hope not!

Personally:
I hope there are a hell of a lot of Taliban out there willing to die for their beliefs. I also hope they’ve been practicing their martial arts training -- to help them deal with the physical pain that’s coming.

The runners:
We happen to know that where there is hope there is always a way. If the draft was to be restarted tomorrow, the roads to Canada would be packed -- but I sincerely hope these crackers won’t be expecting any amnesty any time soon.

The recruits:
What chance is there in this world if we just turn our backs and hope it all just goes away?

Slim to none...

Today, the choice is up to the individual, so our blessed contentious observers need not concern themselves. The people interviewed in Dreher’s piece apparently had big dreams for their golden futures, doubtless nurtured through a sliver spoon-fed childhood, and I honestly hope they make it. They’ll probably turn out to be fine citizens, once they finally decide to grow up and face the truth of their world.

The young people who sign up on account of the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and less mentioned these days is the heroic battle against terrorism that sent a passenger liner into the ground southeast of Pittsburgh, are signing up with a purpose. Defending your homeland from barbarians is a very adult decision. These are the real people. These are the wheat of our land. These are the common folk. These are the kids, stunned to reality, who are told by their recruiters they need to get that GED squared away to enlist -- and they do. These are the kids who have already started families of their own, but who look into their loved one’s eyes and know beyond all doubt there is something in this world worth fighting for. The boys and girls of America who grew up with parents who showed them the true value of freedom.

“Keep your head low, son. Shh... He’ll peak in a minute -- then...”

Only the insane go to war with the intent of dying for their country, and we already know where they are. For some, the victory is being able to just play the game, but our team’s only purpose is to win.

But when the chips are down and the bulls are on you, what choice have you -- other than to just do your best, and hope it’s right? Those who do go down will go down hard -- but never alone. America’s finest are already on their way, and they’re not going there just so they can play the game.

“Now I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.”
-- George C. Scott as Gen. George S. (old blood & guts himself) Patton, Jr.

Godspeed to you all,
Dan