As you read this, U.S. war ships are on the move again, but they're not doing what is typically laid upon the Great Satan as the only action that America takes in the world...war. The U.S. military machine has been mobolized to take the lead in providing disaster relief in Haiti. Quite literally, millions of Americans have also been mobilized in making donations, providing relief supplies, and even getting on planes to go down there and do what they can to help save lives and stave off the coming famine and civil unrest.
I am very proud of, and fully support the efforts of both or government and our citizens in the endeavor. Throughout Haiti's entire history, which began in 1804, relations between our two nations have been strained, and I hope that we can show our true colors in the face of this tragedy and change the course of our relations with our neighbor to the south (If you have some spare time at some point, read a bit about the history between the U.S. and Haiti and you'll see that we actually started the relationship off on a very bad foot).
I spend a good deal of time writing and speaking out about what is wrong with America, but, in my opinion, what we are seeing right now is one of the things that is right with America. Despite our strained relations with Haiti, we still have sent over $3 billion in aid to the country over the past two decades. This is a perfect exampe of how the U.S. government can object to the policies and practices of another country's government, yet still wield our power and industry to help the very people that are being mistreated by that government. While I will be one of the first to argue that at times we have no choice but to enact policy through force, I also think that we need to continue to positively affect the lives of people around the world.
There are, however, two exceptions to this rule. One, is that I whole-heartedly believe that we should take care of those who are in need here at home before we look to the rest of the world, and we should do more to ensure that our aid dollars are actually going into the hands of the people and not into the corrupt governments that we are trying to help the people survive under. A good example of this would be the fact that Saddam Hussein was able to pocket billions in U.N.-funneled U.S. aid dollars that were meant to provide food and aid to the Iraqi people.
Another change I would most definitely like to see is a more concerted effort by America to let the rest of the world know how often the U.S. military machine is used to do good in the world. Yes, we use it to wage war, and that is a debate that we should continue to have in America, but perhaps if those who relish in seeing us killed by terrorists had a better understanding of all of the good the Great Satan America does in the world, they'd be a little less apt to want us dead. I know that for some people, we just can't change their mind because of how absolutely dedicated they are to wiping us off the face of the Earth, but I think there are some who would stand against us that we could convince otherwise.
I also know that you peace-symbolizers out there would argue that we should never make war and that we create our own enemies, etc., etc., but I would like to encourage a real-world debate (one that is based in reality where we live, not in the fantasy land where you live where the U.S. never has to use force again in the world for any reason whatever) about how we, as a nation, can not only continue to positively affect lives around the world, but perhaps also use the good that we are doing to win points around the world. Just think, then the Magician wouldn't need to go everywhere bowing to everyone because they would already like us.
I hope you will join me in supporting The Magician administration's efforts in Haiti, as long as he stays on the straight and narrow, of course, and in thanking the brave Americans who are already in country and those that are in line waiting to go help. They are our best line of defense in the world, winning hearts and minds during people's time of need.
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