igloo Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 August 21, 2003, 3:30 p.m.Freedom Is Never FreeIraq learns. So do the rest of us.By Angela J. Phelpsn 1776, as America was in the midst of her own struggle with freedom, a wise man once said, "He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself." Those were inspiring words by Common Sense author Thomas Paine as he expressed his strong defense of the colonies' independence from England 227 years ago. Liberty and freedom was worth fighting for in 1776, and as we've seen in recent months — though difficult to understand — the same is true today. Our history books retell the bravery of some of our nation's early heroes like George Washington, Patrick Henry, and John Paul Jones, who in the face of opposition and a dominating ruling power, held strong to their vision of liberation and democracy. They didn't know what the future would hold for their 13 colonies, yet they were willing to risk their livelihoods, even their lives, for the mere hope that democracy could be established.Fortunately for us, it worked. And because of that experience, America has always come to the aid of those who also yearned for freedom. After all, it is the responsibility of those who are free to help those who are oppressed seize this God-given right. Without freedom, we have nothing.Freedom is priceless, yet it comes with a high price. Ask the veterans of Normandy, Korea, or Vietnam, and they'll tell you that freedom is never free. In World War II, America lost 400,000 soldiers, in Korea, 30,000, and in Vietnam, nearly 60,000. We must never think for a moment that these men died in vain. They gave their life defending freedom. As the daughter of a 30-year Army veteran, the sister of an officer in the Naval Reserve, and the niece of several WWII soldiers, my respect for America's military runs deep. I learned at an early age that soldiers sacrifice more than basic inconveniences that most civilians take for granted. They are asked to sacrifice their very lives, if necessary, to serve their country. Needless to say, that's quite a request, yet they are willing to do it because they love this country and they cherish freedom.Over the past four months in the deserts of Iraq, a new generation of soldiers is learning the heavy cost of freedom. Over 250 members of our U.S. military have valiantly given their life to aid in the liberation of the people of Iraq. When duty came calling, they stood tall and proud, and said "I will go."And on April 7, as U.S. tanks rolled into Baghdad, they brought freedom with them. I can only imagine how the Iraqis felt as that fresh breeze blew through their dusty streets. Then on April 9, when cameras captured the first scenes of independence in Baghdad's center square, I wonder how many emotions were taking place in the hearts of those men, who with bare hands, began chipping away at the statue of their former leader. I didn't know those men, but somehow, I knew exactly what they were feeling — their first taste of freedom. Where are those men today when we need to see their faces, hear their stories, and feel their gratitude?In the midst of the daily attacks and bombings on our military and peacekeepers in Iraq, sure it's easy to become disillusioned with this foreign cause called "freedom." But during these times when it seems that the cause is not worth the price, we need to remember how we got our start 227 years ago. America paid a high price for her freedom — the blood of her soldiers.As we mourn the deaths of our servicemen and those who lost their life in Tuesday's bombing of the United Nation's headquarters in Baghdad, we must never think for a moment that these men and women died in vain. They died bringing freedom to a place where there was no freedom. To our children and grandchildren who will one day read about them in history books, they will be heroes.— Angela J. Phelps is an Assyrian American whose mother is a native of Baghdad, Iraq. Phelps is the producer of Concerned Women for America's national radio program Concerned Women Today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PinkFloyd40 Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 there was a similar editorial in the WSJ a few months ago that articulated on this same theme only much more in depth.. it was written by an italian women who'd been through WWII and understood the necessity for a people to obtain freedom for themselves, albeit w/ help if necessary, but that freedom can't just be given to a people... she also pointed out a profound fact that Coulteresque liberals should remember... we the US who does things merely for our own gain and no other purpose, litter european countryside's w/ our dead from the wars, in a manner 3 and 4 times that of any european faction... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igloo Posted August 22 Author Report Share Posted August 22 Originally posted by PFloyd40 there was a similar editorial in the WSJ a few months ago that articulated on this same theme only much more in depth.. it was written by an italian women who'd been through WWII and understood the necessity for a people to obtain freedom for themselves, albeit w/ help if necessary, but that freedom can't just be given to a people... she also pointed out a profound fact that Coulteresque liberals should remember... we the US who does things merely for our own gain and no other purpose, litter european countryside's w/ our dead from the wars, in a manner 3 and 4 times that of any european faction... Amen brother Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igloo Posted August 22 Author Report Share Posted August 22 Someone just voted this post a one-star....I have my suspicions who--you have to be a miserable, low-life, hating, shit stain to do that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skince55 Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 Originally posted by igloo Someone just voted this post a one-star....I have my suspicions who--you have to be a miserable, low-life, hating, shit stain to do that Fuck those stars, I don't think anyone pays attention to that shit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igloo Posted August 22 Author Report Share Posted August 22 Originally posted by skince55 Fuck those stars, I don't think anyone pays attention to that shit. I hear ya....but is is repulsive to think that someone would actually make the effort to do that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normalnoises Posted August 22 Report Share Posted August 22 ^^It's O'Reilly/Hannity clones like you and Bush that is the reason why freedom isn't free. It's It's O'Reilly/Hannity clones like you and Bush who take it away. That's why you degenerate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seximofo2k Posted August 23 Report Share Posted August 23 The comparison between the US gaining its independence and Iraq is nice to make and it really makes everyone feel happy about themselves but the main difference between the 2 is we gained our own freedom not by the help of a foreign power. It's a big difference their i doubt we would have tooken lightly if France decided to stick around and help us write our constitution......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
normalnoises Posted August 25 Report Share Posted August 25 Originally posted by igloo Someone just voted this post a one-star....I have my suspicions who--you have to be a miserable, low-life, hating, shit stain to do that Better than nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassa Posted August 25 Report Share Posted August 25 Originally posted by igloo Someone just voted this post a one-star....I have my suspicions who--you have to be a miserable, low-life, hating, shit stain to do that you actually care about that??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igloo Posted August 25 Author Report Share Posted August 25 Originally posted by sassa you actually care about that??? Of course not, but on this particular thread it did....because of the content of the article, and its meaning.....Yes, ranking a thread is insignificant---but on this one--some loser, low-life shit bag hid behind the ranking to hide their name and disgrace something that should be held in the highest regard....Understand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassa Posted August 25 Report Share Posted August 25 Originally posted by igloo Of course not, but on this particular thread it did....because of the content of the article, and its meaning.....Yes, ranking a thread is insignificant---but on this one--some loser, low-life shit bag hid behind the ranking to hide their name and disgrace something that should be held in the highest regard....Understand? whatever floats your boat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
igloo Posted August 25 Author Report Share Posted August 25 Originally posted by sassa whatever floats your boat... It figures you would answer like that......you have always shown you have zero respect and gratitude for something that should have significant meaning to you....loser Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassa Posted August 25 Report Share Posted August 25 Originally posted by igloo It figures you would answer like that......you have always shown you have zero respect and gratitude for something that should have significant meaning to you....loser yeah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marksimons Posted August 26 Report Share Posted August 26 I thought they died to stop a threat to america? not to bring freedom.this is the whole point.and vietnam.viet fucking nam.what was the point in that?60,000 + US troops dead. how many vietnamese men women and children? over a million I believe.why don't you put those numbers there.that article is shit. it re-writes history." I wonder how many emotions were taking place in the hearts of those men, who with bare hands, began chipping away at the statue of their former leader. "not to be pedantic, but how do you chip with bare hands. and. if I recall correctly wasn't it pulled down by a US tank or something?oh. and that was a rent a mob. did you see a wide angle shot of the "scenes of independence in Baghdad's center square"? no. it was a few dozens of people, not hundreds, not thousands.are iraqi's free now?they have a curfew.hell.are americans free? properly free...could I walk down a treet and pass a cop whilst I'm smoking a big fat reefer? I don't think soooo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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