Thursday, May 10, 2007

Where is this guy and the Americans he speaks of?


OK, I know that this is a Hollywood portrayal by the late George C. Scott but from what I gather this was a real speech given by the real Gen. George S. Patton. It is approaching six minutes and 30 seconds in length, but I think it's worth a look.
The language is salty (be forewarned if you've never seen it) and he paints horrific images of warfare, but he makes this very interesting point:
“All real Americans love the sting of battle. … Americans … will not tolerate a loser. That’s why Americans have never lost and will never lose a war because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans.”
And I do agree with his overall strategy for victory, though with not quite the same vivid sentiments.
I must say that it saddens me when I hear we’ve lost another young man or woman in battle – and the news of a combat loss is magnified when it comes out of Iraq. And I understand that there are all manner of questions about why we got there in the first place, whether we were lied to, etc.
But we are there and we need to think very carefully about how we exit – examining what kind of message it will send and precedent it will set.
I think we need to reflect on the words of this controversial yet proven American warrior as we debate our next steps in Iraq.
Do the current generations of Americans have the stomach for a protracted conflict of eight to 10 years on other shores so that, as a result, we can live in relative peace here at home, not afraid to go to the grocery store because that little Bondo-colored beater parked in front just might be a car bomb?
Are the Americans the general speaks of now mostly in nursing homes and cemeteries? Are there any in the younger generations with the determination to see something through to the end, no matter how traumatic?
The only ones I can currently think of are the men and women braving the elements and unseen risks in far-off lands such as Iraq. Let’s give them a chance to finish the job and prove to the world that there are still tough, determined and resilient Americans left.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

"Are there any in the younger generations with the determination to see something through to the end, no matter how traumatic?" I doubt it.