A little over a month ago following an extended effort to find peace, a period of consultation, review and deliberation fell over the White House. This ultimately resulted in the President of our country ordering military action by forces of the United States in coordination with the nation of Israel against the Islamic state of Iran. Despite remarkable successes in the course of the conflict since then, public opinion, as well as congressional support in favor of this action, has been mixed and strongly criticized.
Most of those opposed to this action surprisingly agree with the facts that show with absolute clarity that Iran has been the premier financier of worldwide terrorism against the United States, and the majority of European countries, for the past 47 years. Also, it is accepted fact that Iran is directly responsible for the death of more than 3,100 American citizens and military servicemembers during that time, and that Iran has sought consistently to acquire a nuclear weapon for nearly 50 years, and that Iran has sponsored and encouraged hostilities against neighboring countries in the middle East by a variety of non-state proxy groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis and others causing death and destruction with the expressed goal of genocide of the Jewish race.
In the company of international councils across the globe, there is a commonly used expression that refers to a group of four countries generally regarded as perpetrators of most of the activity that seeks to undermine the ideas of democratic governance, freedom of choice, respect for human life, and the guaranty of justice for all. Borrowing a phrase from the second world war, these countries are generally referred to as the “Axis of Evil”: Russia, North Korea, China and Iran. In the free world, leaders have deplored the acts of the axis nations, but rarely do more than give lip-service condemnation. In general, this has been the case ever since the end of World War II. Even when these rouge nations murder thousands of their own citizens who protest in the streets of Iran or when thousands of young Russians are forced into the military and sent to die in the fields and cities of Ukraine as part of a dictator’s maniacal dream to recreate the empire of the Soviet Union. Even in the face of these crimes against humanity, much of the world just seems to look on and do nothing .
In the United States of America, there is also a commonly used expression that cautions us not to take for granted the way of life we have grown accustomed to. ”Freedom isn’t Free “is a simple idea, but it bears very serious and cautious consideration. When we see the state of the globe today, we should easily understand that this idea is not just a bumper sticker, but the bedrock of what we are as a democracy and the oath we take whenever we recite the Pledge of Allegiance. That pledge is a solemn vow that reminds us of the difficult choices made through the years whenever our country was faced with threats both from within and outside our borders. Only through the strength, determination and sacrifice of those who refused to stand idly by has this republic remained and even championed over the decay and destruction created by the dark world of the axis nations. It is not easy by any measure, and often we have stood alone, but it is right and it must continue. It still demands that we stand for good. It still requires the sacrifice, strength and determination that will eradicate evil wherever it threatens; near or far. Even when ideas clash among nations and leaders fail to inspire, it is the purview of free people everywhere to face and overcome the challenges that the dream of peace and liberty requires. Our nation has done that for the last 250 years primarily for our own advancement, but also as a compass showing the way for others. If we are not now sure that we can still do these things and stand together and reinforce the stone of our foundation, then we have failed regardless of our heritage, our documents and statues and our promise to the future. In this time of trouble let us rely on the lessons of our history and the guidance of the scriptures. “In peace or war, in bounty or dearth, pray for unity above all else”.
