Thomas Paine, one of the most illustrious and celebrated of Revolutionary War philosophers is well known for his works "Common Sense", but he is perhaps less well known for his wartime pamphlet, "The Crisis". History records this pamphlet as perhaps the glue which held the Revolutionary Army together during the early and darkest part of the war. I find Paine’s words transcending the years as a bold call to duty and action. "These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; ‘Tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as Freedom should not be highly rated."
The other morning, I shuddered at General Petraeus’ revelation that our troops in Afghanistan faced a protracted and escalating war in which increased American lives will be lost. The General said the loss of lives in this new offensive against the Taliban could be comparable to those seen after the 2007 surge in Iraq. During the Iraq surge which lasted nineteen months, the United States lost 1,125 lives at a rate of 59 deaths per month. The scenario painted by General Petraeus is grim.
I have seriously mixed emotions about Afghanistan, but these are our sons and daughters fighting a war so far from home. These are our modern day patriots, and they face this awful endeavor with courage and devotion to country. While they are there fighting on behalf of freedom for the Afghan people, we must offer them our full support.
One way we can offer our full support is to insist that the government which has sent them into harm’s way is providing them with the very best equipment and supplies needed to achieve success. These young soldiers represent the promise of their generation, and their generation represents the future of this great country. Until our country has altered its course in Afghanistan, there can be no room for the summer soldier or the sunshine patriot. We must stand with firm resolve behind those who endure this arduous conflict.
The essence of Freedom is found in the openness of the debate. Even during the American Revolution, the Civil War, World War II, or any other conflict, debate brought focus to the righteousness of the action. Without the debate, Freedom does not exist, and therein lies the dilemma. We must support our troops with unwavering resolve, and yet, we must consider our actions at all times. If our rationale for being in Afghanistan is acceptable, then we must consider the question, "Where do our soldiers go next?"
The important thing is "he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman." This phrase speaks to the debt a nation owes all its veterans. Our history as a nation does not speak well to the manner in which we have honored, loved, and thanked our veterans. As a nation, we must make sure that our veterans who have given unselfishly to their country find opportunities for education, housing, employment, and health care awaiting them upon their return home.
Why we must have war is an ageless question. Winston Churchill said of war, "Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events." Let’s pray the head of U.S. Central Command in Afghanistan knows what he is doing, for "these are the times that try men’s souls."
~Bill
