Another September 11th has come and gone—the day set aside to remember, mourn, watch footage, post pictures and relive the moment forever etched on our minds in 2001.
“Patriot Day,” as it has been known since 2002, was marked in Washington by memorials and moments of silence. It was observed by the president with such a moment on the White House lawn before he later met with service members at Ft. Meade. “The president looks forward to having a conversation with the patriotic men and women who work every day to keep America safe,” stated White House deputy press secretary Eric Schultz, “and to honor the sacrifices of our troops and their families.”
Across town in the Capitol building, the U.S. House was in session, voting 269-162 in a largely symbolic effort to reject the pending Iranian nuclear deal. One might argue that they were seeking to honor those sacrifices, as well.
Perhaps this Patriot Day might have been more meaningful if all those sworn to uphold our Constitution had taken the time to read the names of the nearly 3,000 people who died that awful day at the hands of terrorists, just to put the whole thing in perspective.
Here we are, 14 years after the horrific attacks on our nation. Could there be a larger irony—condemning the attacks of 9/11 while preparing to underwrite billions of dollars to the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism? Where are the Patriots to be found today? The ones fiercely defending liberty, defending our Constitution, defending our nation against threats from all foes—both foreign and domestic? There certainly aren’t too many populating the hallowed halls of American federal government.
We can argue over the definition of the word, but few would ascribe the term “patriot” to those who sell out their constituency just to walk their party’s line. Democratic National Committee Chair Debbie Wasserman-Schulz was certainly in an unenviable position—stuck between the expectation to defend the president and the expectations of those she represents as the first Jewish congresswoman from Florida. She nearly choked on her tears in an interview, emotionally describing how her role as a Jewish mother with a Jewish heart helped lead her to her decision. Perhaps most disturbing was the way she invoked the concept of la’dor va’dor—from generation to generation—as the reason the Iran nuclear deal is the best option for the future of Israel.
And the president, who called the vote in the Senate “a victory for diplomacy, for American national security, and for the safety and security of the world.” Is he a patriot for making this nation a multibillion dollar contributor to a sponsor of terrorism, all the while continuing to claim support for Israel?
Many are those who seem willing sell out their principles in an effort to remain in positions of power. Many are those who will ignore the lessons of history and the glaring realities of the present in order to forge a political “legacy.”
Washington, D.C. may be filled with the many; but we are desperately in need of the few. The few true patriots who are unafraid to speak out in the face of evil. The few who are willing to boldly take a stand for our nation’s best interests, even if it means going against their party.
Sadly, the deal is all but done, as the congressional review process is set to close this week. Much has already been written about this agreement, but I encourage all Americans to study the details and discern for themselves exactly what this plan holds for the future of our nation. Proponents have declared this the crown jewel of the president’s foreign policy, while others have compared it to the Munich Agreement—the 1938 deal between major European powers that permitted Nazi expansionism. Interestingly, it was 77 years ago this month that British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain met with Hitler in Germany to discuss Hitler’s plans to annex Czechoslovakia. Upon returning to Britain, Chamberlain famously declared that the agreement would bring “Peace for our time.”
World War II began exactly one year later, with Hitler’s invasion of Poland.
“… we have passed an awful milestone in our history, when the whole equilibrium of Europe has been deranged, and that the terrible words have for the time being been pronounced against the Western democracies: “Thou art weighed in the balance and found wanting.” And do not suppose that this is the end. This is only the beginning of the reckoning. This is only the first sip, the first foretaste of a bitter cup which will be proffered to us year by year unless by a supreme recovery of moral health and martial vigour, we arise again and take our stand for freedom as in the olden time.” —Winston Churchill, speaking against the 1938 Munich Agreement
Please read our comment policy before commenting.