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Jewish World Review Sept. 26, 2003 / 29 Elul, 5763

Tom Purcell

They would not leave

http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com | You
heard what happened at Arlington National
Cemetery when Hurricane Isabel struck. I wish
our politicians could learn from it.

For the first time in its history, soldiers who man
the Tomb of the Unknowns were given permission
to leave their posts if the hurricane became too
dangerous. But none would leave.

It is their job, after all, to honor and respect those
who died for their country - to never forget their
sacrifices - by marching before the tomb. And
when the rain and winds were at their most
powerful that night - more than 20 trees were
uprooted at the cemetery - the Sergeant relieved
his staff and stood vigil himself for 5 1/2 hours.

Meanwhile, just a few miles across the Potomac in
Washington, D.C. our politicians have been
chattering away. Sen. Ted Kennedy said the war
in Iraq was a fraud. He said it was concocted by
the Bush Administration for political gain - that
they distorted and misrepresented the facts to get
us into the war.

When you listen to such cynicism, it's easy to
forget that just two years ago innocent Americans
were murdered by people who hate us. It's easy to
forget that we are at war with an enemy unlike any
we've fought before. That our long struggle will
require an approach and commitment unlike any
before. That we're sure to stumble and readjust as
we go.

Kennedy pretends that he is worried about our
troops -- that we should bring them home -- when
surely he knows that his words embolden our
enemies. The strategy of those who are killing our troops is to foment
discord in America. The more they believe they are succeeding, the more
they will attack and Kennedy surely knows this.

It doesn't take a seasoned political operative to see what the Democrats
are up to. As the long process of rebuilding Iraq is under way, Americans
are second-guessing the cost in money and lives. Though the economy is
recovering, job growth hasn't just yet. As a result, Bush's poll numbers
are faltering. Democrats smell blood.

And so they strike.

They know that Bush's strategy in Iraq was incredibly bold. Some
believe it was idealistic, reckless and unjustified, but it was certainly bold.
Instead of letting the terrorists spawn and grow and attack us anew, Bush
attacked the heart of terrorism itself - the corrupt regimes that nurture
hatred and lies. If we can jump start a true democracy in the Middle
East, then perhaps we can drain the swamps of terrorism altogether.

Kennedy knows that it is in everyone's interest for democracy to succeed
in Iraq. He knows that it will take time - new water, electric and
telephone systems need to be built. Banking and financial systems need
to be in place. Twenty-five million people need to learn the lessons of
democracy, how to vote, how to rule themselves so that they may
prosper and be a model for the world.

And Kennedy also knows that things aren't so bad in Iraq. More than
65% of the Iraqi people want us to stay. The vast majority is glad
Saddam is gone and see a brighter future for their country - if only the
experiment that worked so well for America can succeed in their country,
too.

So at a time when America should come together to rebuild Iraq - at a
time when we should forget our political differences when so much is at
stake for us and the world - what are the Democrats doing? They're
taking pot shots, fueling discord, doing everything they can to beat down
Bush with hopes of recapturing the White House.

There is a time when duty and honor calls and for the sake of our country
we should simply do what is right, regardless of the consequences. As
the presidential election nears, too many of our politicians in Washington
are not heeding that simple call.

I recommend they take a cab over to the Tomb of the Unknowns where
such selflessness is on display 24 hours every day.

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Makes one PROUD !

Lump