American power has been tested numerous times since the end of the Revolutionary War. The latest test began on the morning of September 11, 2001. That threat did not dissipate with the wafting away of the smoke from the twin towers in New York City.
American power; gained with difficulty, stoutly retained and patriotically defended, is again under attack. This most recent attack has taken the lives of brave and innocent victims both on our soil and on that of distant, frightening and mysterious nations. The enemy cannot be distinguished by uniform. language distinction or by one monolithic cult. However, the message is substantially the same: kill Americans, kill Christians, and kill all infidels.
American power, which has been declining since the fall of communism in 1989, is at a dangerously low point, with a U.S. presidential election less than a month away.
The rise of American power was substantially enhanced and expanded under President Theodore Roosevelt during the early 1900s. Woodrow Wilson, as President in 1912, did not much like the rise of power that had preceded his presidency. He was of the opinion that “the force of America is in the moral principle.”
Ironically, in August, 2007, then Senator Barack Obama, in a speech at the Woodrow Wilson International Center in Washington said, “We know we are not what we say we are. We are not at war with Islam. America is a compassionate nation that wants a better life for all people. Democracy is about more than a ballot box. Americans must show – through deeds as well as words – that we stand with those who seek a better life.”
Now it is evident that using a “Woodrow Wilson” type of American power and diplomacy is not going to work with the world’s over 1.3 billion Muslims. In this new world of asymmetrical warfare, ingrained hatred and the desire to kill, it would seem that American power and foreign policy should contain several components certainly not evident today.
American power:
1. Explain where necessary
2. Display wherever and whenever appropriate
3. Use, in overwhelming force, where necessary
The candidates for national office often speak of “our children and grandchildren.” This is most always plain political rhetoric. In this election, with a large portion of the world in flames, a U.S. ambassador dead, Americans killed on U.S. soil and “allies” acting like bullies, it is actually a good time to think of our children and grandchildren.
Never before has this country been challenged to use American power for such a protracted expanse of time, with no concept as to where that power may be most effectively utilized. If, and when, our foreign policy and power is to be swiftly and effectively exercised, it will definitely have consequences and influence the lives of our children and grandchildren.
Even though the economy is the paramount issue influencing the election, American power, national security and foreign policy have, in recent weeks, become an issue for all Americans to seriously consider when casting a vote for president and members of Congress. A third issue of utmost importance, which affects American power, foreign policy and our domestic economy, is that of energy.
We need a comprehensive energy policy – now. Every U.S. President since Richard Nixon has talked about the need for more independence from foreign oil sources and the need for a long range energy policy here at home. As of yet, there is no comprehensive energy policy.
American power, the way we demonstrate our importance to the world, is so ineffective that we see American flags burned in over 20 counties, and even worse atrocities perpetrated against Americans and American facilities.
Indeed this election has become an American power election as well as an economic policy election. American power must be restored to ensure our survival and leadership position in a troubled world.
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joe diamond says
All right, Fletcher!
I think we should take a look at your words……….There are facts, opinions and errors here, all mixed together.
Anybody want to start? I gotta run but will be back.
Joe
Joseph S. Handy says
So, per The Spy commentary parameters, should one actually speak their mind, AND be kind as well, doesn’t ensure that all comments will be approved and posted regardless of political bent.
Gren Whitman says
Joe: There’s a word for this “essay”: “Butterfly-speak,” lightly flitting from topic to topic, with no coherence.
I like what you advised re: the previous Fletcher production: just sit through it and buy the kids some ice cream after.
Frankly, I’m surprised the Spy publishes such childish claptrap.
Where’s Michael Troup when we need him!
Fletcher Hall says
Bases on responses, appears tat this “butterfly” had some sting.
Certainly the power of this still graat nation is a significant issue that is not going away.
joe diamond says
Glen,
I thought he would stop after one.
The only other way to deal with this kind of pronouncement is, with the help of Almighty God and the angels of correct thinking, call all patriotic lovers of the democratic city on a hill to oppose this rhetorical blaspheming assault on peace and prosperity.
Snacks and beer after.
Joe
joe diamond says
Allright then,
“We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility , provide for the common defense. . .(skipping a little). . .do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
So, Fletcher, we have an army for common defense. Could you trim your little piece……..dump the bit about an energy program. It really is a digression.
And for your homework please read the Charter of the United Nations. (We the people are a signatory of that group, ya know) When you finish Charter I …Purposes and Principles…Article I The Purposes of the United Nations ,especially . . .To maintain international peace. . .” Reread what you have posted.
Joe
Fletcher Hall says
The energy issue and the lack of a coherent national energy policy is a major issur to be addressed in this election, with not very long to go until election day.
joe diamond says
Fletcher,
The energy issue is an important area for consideration….just not in your piece on American power. That is, unless you think electric power is the same thing as military power. “American power has been tested numerous times since the Revolutionary war.” Do you mean the light switches wouldn’t work until electricity was connected to them? What?
Or do you see a connection between our attack on Iraq and American energy (oil)? Sadam was a bastard but he didn’t have anything to do with the al-Quaeda attack on 9-11. Are you saying we bombed Iraq back to the stone age because they were threatening to diminish American energy sources? Sadam wouldn’t sell oil to the United States so we bombed his country….is that the American power you are defending?
Told ya it was a digression!
Joe
Frank Gerber says
President Obama pledged to reduce the import of foreign oil, and increase energy production from renuable sources. That is exactly what he has done. Sould like an energy policy to me, what are you crying about Fletch? 🙂
Keith Thompson says
Interesting…there’s the call to increase American power coupled with a call for a comprehensive energy policy to wean us off of Middle Eastern Oil, and yet there’s no recognition that the call for a rise in American power is counterproductive to the idea of developing a comprehensive energy policy.
Think about this…why is the United States a target for Islamic terrorism? Is it because Islamic fundamentalists abhor American culture and American freedom? I think it’s safe to say that those are factors, but does that make us a target for terrorism? If so, then the United States is right to give a show of power in the name of self-defense.
I would argue that the greater factor is the nature of Islamic terrorism is the application of American power in Middle Eastern politics in the name of protecting our oil industry interests. I’d say that we’re not a target for terrorists because of our “decadent” culture but is because Islamic fundamentalists don’t want us in their countries. I will grant that our foreign policy decisions as well as funding of our military power results in cheaper gasoline prices for Americans, but I would ask if the cost savings is worth the loss of American lives either fighting to maintain our presence in the Middle East or the innocent victims of terrorist acts; and I would ask if cheaper gas prices for Americans is worth the part of our debt the nation is racking up in order to maintain cheaper oil prices. These are among the questions that the media should be asking and that our Presidential, Senate and Congressional candidates should be considering.
Fletcher Hall says
The energy issue, which has not been addresses by the candidates in this election, as implications domestically and internationally. At home, Washington prevents producing energy, where we have abudent resources available.
Keith Thompson says
It is being addressed by candidates in the election, just not by the nominees of the two major party conventions.
Joseph S. Handy says
Goebbels would be proud, jingoism at it’s finest.
Maybe closing with Herman Goering’s infamous fear quote would have been appropriate.
Joseph S. Handy says
Censorship may be another sign of fascism knocking at the door.
Fletcher Hall says
I must have missed the part about censorship. The paramount issue is where is american power in 2012, and the status of the United States in the ever changing world.
joe diamond says
Here ya go Fletcher:
“Naturally the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”
Brought to you by one of the more eloquent Nazies, Herman Goering.
So when I see pieces like your several op-ed things I am distracted.
Joe
joe diamond says
Finally,
Having so much fun shooting holes in the the same old Pablum we hear every July it would be wrong not to clearly state the we do not need to restore American military to survive!
We have too much. As Dwight D. Eisenhower (another former pres & Richard Nixon’s boss for two terms) warned, .”..Military demands for U.S. spending would become a ‘cross of iron’ that would limit spending on domestic needs.”* This from the man who led the army that invaded Europe, a man who understands military power. So when I look at the defense budget for 2012 and see $600 billion dollars and note that that almost equals the combined defense spending for the rest of the world* I think we have too much.
Military experts * don’t want or need the weapons being forced upon them. There is no enemy on the horizon we need to counter with planes, boats and guns being developed. Want to save $80 billion over the next ten years?….cut back intercontinental ballistic missiles. If ya want to supersize those cuts….cut back on the strategic bomber fleet to deliver nukes like we did in WWII and save another $40 billion.* The summary is that we can cut huge amounts and still be number one in defense spending…should we want to continue being the war mongers we are known to be.
The above references * came from a forthcoming book by Melvin A. Goodman, a former CIA analyst and author of “National Insecurity: The Cost of American Militarism. He is not alone in his assessment. We have an expensive military system. We don’t need more power. We need to stop considering plans to solve our problems with military solutions.
Joe
Stephan Sonn says
US type war strategy has not won a war since WWII
and the Pax Americana boon-let in those after years.
Drones are just fin with me as required.
We are the last Western that history will record.
As for the Chinese empire,
we are helping them build it.
As driven by cheap labor and products
This American power fixation is a wet dream
A nightmare, like a tick that has burrowed
deeply into Exceptionalism.