HOGpreacher

For purposes of this essay let me invoke this. Freedom is not Independence. Freedom is free will. Independence is self-government. While both can freely be interchanged, the basis of independence and freedom differ.

What does it mean to have independence?

Next month we celebrate our independence from England 231 years ago. I have been pondering what freedoms we have. Is our God given rights necessarily freeing? I believe they are. Are we necessarily free living in the U.S. of A.? In reference to other countries, yes, we are. Does that mean we have the freedom to impose our sense of independence on other countries? No, it does not.

However, we are to be a beacon of independence's light shining into the dark regions of the world where government leaders tend to keep their countrymen and women in the caverns of oppression. We have the obligation to offer freedom to people everywhere who want independence. But to what degree and to what expense?

During the American Revolution, it is commonly known that the signers of the Declaration of Independence were committing treason against Mother England. An offense for which every signer could be executed. We had allies that were enemies of England and without them we probably would have lost the Revolutionary War.

Have we imposed our way of democracy, our "republic", our interpretation of "freedom" on other nations for the altruistic purpose of emancipation of the populace. Sadly, I do not think this has been the case.

Independence needs to start from within whether it be with the people of an oppressing dictator or the personal demons each of us have inside. Once assistance is requested then we, as a nation should respond. We have seen it through out history that when we were asked we have responded.

President Woodrow Wilson was wrong when he stated we are "the world's police". We are not. We should be the world's leader of freedom and justice. Sadly, the United States is failing in this regard. As great as we are at being humanitarians and desiring despots to be overthrown, it it not our job nor our right. As a nation we do not have the "right" to dictate, involve, or assuade another country in their rule of self-government.

As a nation we have the free will to make choices regarding our "indendence". No other country can nor should take our freedom away. Nor should our government sell or give it away.

Make no mistake we are an independent nation where every man, woman and child is free. Many countries cannot make that claim. It is my freedom that guarentees my right to live in a land of independence.

Now, the other shoe. When people are being victimized, murdered, dehumanized by a government we, as a country, and other nations need to intercede. We learned that tradgic lesson in WW II. We did not learn it well enough though to stop the Khemr Ruge in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. We did not learn it well enough to stop "Poppa Doc" in Haiti. We did not complete the mission in Iraq during Desert Storm. Too many millions have died because "good men (Nations) did nothing".

Saddam needed to he removed. Idi Amin needed to be removed. Hitler and Musalini needed stopped sooner than they were. Pol Pot needed to be stopped. But "good nations" turned a blind eye.

My position is this. Take a position and stand by it. If the U.S. is to be a neutral country than stay out of things. If we are going to govern the world's behavior do it with justice and the "big stick" mentality. Other countries need to know that when America comes they are done. None of these "rules of engagement" that kill our soldiers through inept orders. Attila, Khan, Alexander the Great, Ceasar and others fought with no holds barred.

Either fight to win and stay the hell out of the arena.

Oh, by the way . . .

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!