Notes From an AHer Who Knows...

[Syzygyone]

Colin Powell's comments tell it all.  All we have ever asked for is a spot to bury our dead.  The United States has never conquered any country.  We kill armies, and then rebuild what we had to destory.  And we cannot let the world ever forget that OUR fathers, sons, and brothers are buried in their land, giving them their freedom.

Yamamoto was right.  All these terrorists have done is to awaken a sleeping giant, and fill him with a terrible resolve.

Thanks for your kind words.  But, do us all a favor and don't just post . Teach your children, tell your firends, extol your acquaintances: Much has been sacrificed on our behalf by tens of thousands who have never met us.  Do not let their sacrifice be in vain.  They have given us and those they have freed the opportunity!  This is a great nation.  It is now up to us to insure that it stays great!

Go!  Do Great Things!

Syzygy

[Dawggus]

Originally posted by Syzygyone
This is a great nation.  It is now up to us to insure that it stays great!

Well Syz, with folks like you around, I'm sure we won't have much trouble "staying the course".

Syz is truely a great Patriot!  I still remember the story of how the Armed Forces had to gently turn down his empassioned plea to re-up after 9/11, because of his age.

Syz, your children are lucky, because when you tell them to "Go, Do Great Things", they have a shining example right at home .  

Cya Up!

[Syzygyone]

Originally posted by Dawggus

Syz is truely a great Patriot!  I still remember the story of how the Armed Forces had to gently turn down his empassioned plea to re-up after 9/11, because of his age.

hehe
Dawg, you have me confused with Bruce Willis, but that's  understandable.

[midnight Target]

Originally posted by Syzygyone
hehe
Dawg, you have me confused with Bruce Willis, but that's  understandable.

Thats right, He's Bruce Wayne!

[Dowding]

The United States has never conquered any country.

Apart from their own. And wasn't there a bit of overlooked history involving the phillipines? I might be completely wrong though.

Carry on!

BTW, weren't there some other countries involved in this latest endeavour? Again, I might be completely wrong though.

[Syzygyone]

What do you suggest?  The U.S. conquered the Phillipines?  I think it was more of a liberation from the Japanese, was it not?

[Charon]

What do you suggest? The U.S. conquered the Phillipines? I think it was more of a liberation from the Japanese, was it not?

46 years later and you are correct. There was this little thing called the Spanish American War. Remember the Maine! Even if is was an accidental, internal explosion. And then there was Panama, but our fleet did need access to both oceans in a much more timely manner.

In August 1898, many Filipinos rejoiced at the collapse of Spanish power and assumed that independence would soon follow. Despite Filipino aspirations, Dewey advised Washington that the native republican element was a minority and a strong hand was needed to prevent the islands from falling into other hands.

Dewey’s caution was not without foundation. Germany had been in contact with Spain in hopes of purchasing the islands. Tensions rose to such a height that the German Far Eastern fleet threatened Dewey’s smaller navy prior to the events at Manila Bay. Only the timely appearance of British ships enabled the Americans to continue their conquest. (The British had no interest in seeing the U.S. become a power in the Pacific, but realized that war with Germany was on the horizon and desired strong relations with America.)

In late 1898, with the fighting stopped and peace negotiations underway, President McKinley faced the dilemma of deciding what to do with the Philippines. Imperialist and anti-imperialist forces at home voiced their opinions. The president hesitated and turned to prayer. He concluded that the United States should accept control of the Philippines to educate and Christianize the natives—overlooking the fact that the overwhelming majority of the islands’ population was Roman Catholic.

Charon

[Sabre]

MT, thanks for posting that.  And Syzygy, don't sweat the Bruce Willis thing...happens to me all the time .

Sabre

[Jester]

MT!
I think you hit on what the biggest part of us felt.


P.S. DOWDING, we aren't leaving you guys out or slighting the British Military contribution. When we say "WE" you guys just automatically get fitted in with the USA.
The British are like family and have been considered that way pretty much since WW I.  (Like quarrelsome cousins at time, but still family above all), not like the "other guys" across the channel from you.

[rc51]

A wonderful post very heartfelt.
Thank you sir.

[-Concho-]

Syz, well said.  Thanks for posting it tgt  

[Dowding]

Thanks for filling in the details Charon. I was only sure of the basic facts.

[Syzygyone]

I did refer to "our cousins" by whom I meant those would stood with and next to us.  No slight was intended by not mentioning the British, Australian, and Spanish forces, however large or small relative to the size of the American force.  Those government's and their leaders, in the face of even greater, almost overwhelming, public sentiment against this war, saw the need and committed what forces they could.  They are to be roundly applauded and praised for facing not only the hard choices of sending their own into battle but for having the backbone to do it at the risk of their political lives.  Nothing more could be asked of any ally.  Even the Spanish committment of a few hundred troops and sailors, and the Polish with less than 25, deserve the praise and thanks not only of the Iraqis but of the coalition for helping to bear the burden of bringing freedom to 25 million horribly oppressed people.

[Syzygyone]

Charon,

Thanks for your thoughts.  With all due respect, while your comments about the 19th century history of the Phillipines and Panama are well taken, consider this please.  

The United States has no significant territorial ownership interests in the Phillipines or Panama.  In the Phillipines, which was absolutley vital to securing victory in WWII, we built massive military facilities.  Those all belong to the Phillipinos now.  We didn't make them the 51st state.  And we closed our military base and gave back to Panama a multi-bllion dollar inter-ocean canal enterprise that is probably one of the largest components of the Panamaniam economy.  And I recall the removal of despotic dictators there too.  

Respectfully, I reassert that the U.S. does not conquer territory, to expand the borders of the United States, i.e. as Hitler attemped to do, as the Soviets did, and Iraq attempted to do in 1990.  The U.S.A. is not imperialistic or colonial.  To paraphrase Sec. of State Powell, we only ask for (not take) just enough to bury our dead.


Thanks again for your thoughtful post.

[rc51]

I see you're from Denver!
My old home town.
Went to Cherry Creek High School 72-76
LOL