An Extraordinary Speech

Published by Tom

December 12, 2010

American Thinker: An Extraordinary Speech.

One of the worst things for me about Britain today is the prevalence of casual anti-Americanism. The linked article should give those prone to that some cause for overdue thought. It cites a wonderful speech given on November 13th by Lieutenant General John F. Kelly of the United States Marine Corps. I recommend you to read it in full on his official blog. It is all the more remarkable for having been made just four days after General Kelly lost his son Robert in action in Afghanistan. Paying tribute to the men and women of his country's armed forces with a dignity that must seem very alien to "educated" British citizens who don't know what the Cenotaph means, he reminded his audience why America goes to war;

…ladies and gentlemen, think about this, the only territory we as a people have ever asked for from any nation we have fought alongside, or against, since our founding, the entire extent of our overseas empire, is a few hundred acres of land for the 24 American cemeteries scattered around the globe…

The remains of 220,000 Americans rest in those cemeteries. Not all the wars they fought in were right. Some terrible actions took place in fighting them. But as a nation, America's heart has always been in the right place. Taking all her actions – good and bad – into account, Mankind as a whole has never known a better friend.

For a man who has just lost his son to make such a speech is deeply impressive. As we mewl and whimper about our petty problems (e.g. the refusal of others to pick up the bill for our reality breaks in academia) perhaps we should reflect on his words;

…America as a whole is certainly not at war. Not as a country. Not as a people. Today, only a tiny fraction – less than a percent – shoulder the burden of fear and sacrifice, and they shoulder it for the rest of us. Their sons and daughters who serve are men and women of character who continue to believe in this country enough to put life and limb on the line without qualification, and without thought of personal gain, and they serve so that the sons and daughters of the other 99% don't have to. No big deal, though, as Marines have always been "the first to fight" paying in full the bill that comes with being free…for everyone else…

I disagree with only three of General Kelly's words; "No big deal." It's a very big deal, sir. I offer my thanks, my condolences and my profound respect.

7 responses to “An Extraordinary Speech”

Trooper Thompson

December 13, 2010

That’s all very well, but it’s not really accurate. They’re hanging on to Okinawa, Diego Garcia etc etc.
There’s no doubting the bravery of US Marines. What is in doubt is the wisdom and morality of what they are sent to do. War represents the apotheosis of state power. It cannot be doubted that the ‘war on terror’ has been used to take away our liberties, waste our money and kill innocent people. I would rather my taxes went to pay for lay-about students than war.

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Suboptimal Planet

December 13, 2010

I agree that, on balance, we should be grateful for the Pax Americana, like the Pax Britannia before it. American hegemony seems far preferable to any of the alternatives that were (or are) on offer.
But Trooper Thompson makes a good point.
I also object to this bit:
“As a democracy—“We the People”—and that by definition is every one of us—sent them away from home and hearth to fight our enemies. We are all responsible”
By that logic, I am responsible for everything done by New Labour.
I’m no Rothbardian pacifist, but the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been a massive exercise in misdirection. If the threat of war against any nation was justified, it was Saudi Arabia.
Islamism is a terrible threat, and it’s very difficult to say how best to tackle it. Perhaps the biggest threat to Europe is demographic. We live in democracies where Muslims will one day be the majority. Even if the majority of Muslims aren’t currently Islamist, it’s easy to see our society sliding into theocracy.
There won’t be any easy solutions here. The War on Terror is as ridiculous as the War on Drugs. Short of global imperialism of Nazi ruthlessness, this isn’t a battle that can be won by the American military (and the Soviet experience shows that even such drastic and illiberal measures may fail).
“Yes, we are at war, and are winning”
Despite the bravery shown in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the tactical victories, the world will be at least as dangerous when the troops pull out. The “irrational hatred of who we are” will not have gone away; if anything, it will have intensified, and acquired more justification. And the ability of our enemies to wage terror will not have been materially affected.
I wish I could be more optimistic.

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Chris

December 13, 2010

…ladies and gentlemen, think about this, the only territory we as a people have ever asked for from any nation we have fought alongside, or against, since our founding, the entire extent of our overseas empire, is a few hundred acres of land for the 24 American cemeteries scattered around the globe…
Liberia, Puerto Rico, The Philippines, Samoa, Formosa and the Panama Canal Zone obviously don’t exist in Gen. Kelly’s head.
America: a great country, hijacked by opportunists.

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jameshigham

December 13, 2010

Hear hear, Tom. We need to realize we’re close. I don’t know about your blog, Tom but mine is about half Brit and about three-eighths American in its readership and I think both sides who attack the other should step back and think.

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Trooper Thompson

December 13, 2010

Rothbard was no pacifist, he held to the libertarian principle of non-aggression against non-aggressors. Self-defence is always permissible.
James,
this is not about attacking America, but defending America from what Eisenhower warned against in his farewell speech. If you think the state over here has got dangerously out of control, take a look in America. It’s the same, only without the velvet glove.

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Suboptimal Planet

December 18, 2010

Rothbard may not be a pacifist in theory, but he is in practice:
“We must, therefore, conclude that the use of nuclear or similar weapons, or the threat thereof, is a sin and a crime against humanity for which there can be no justification.”
Such purism is incompatible with effective national defence.
“War, Peace, and the State”, 1963
http://www.lewrockwell.com/rothbard/rothbard26.html

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Trooper Thompson

December 21, 2010

@ Suboptimal Planet,
I guess it’s neither here nor there, but I think you’re narrowing the word ‘pacifist’. Rothbard was certainly pure and set forth an uncompromising message, in the belief that this was the way to move the consensus in the right direction. He wrote that essay at the time of ‘Dr Strangelove’, when there were powerful people who wanted to start a nuclear war, on the basis that it could be won, who were furious at Kennedy for missing the ‘opportunity’ that the Cuban missile crisis presented.

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