It is time as a people that we stand in defense of our values. It is time as a nation that we commit to lead a global alliance in cultural solidarity. It is time that we take our place as leader of the free world, committing to its security without excuse or compromise.
Following the unspeakable horror committed against France by and through ISIS operatives, French President Francois Hollande called for unity among all nations to confront the ISIS threat. “We need a union of all who can fight this terrorist army in a single coalition.”
President Obama, in addressing the international press during the G-20 summit in Turkey, answered by saying, “The strategy that we are putting forward is the strategy that ultimately is going to work, it’s going to take time.” In other words, the President of the United States believes that the current strategy does not need to be stepped up and, that in time, it will succeed. The French ask today – how much time, at what price? The American people should ask the same.
President Obama was repeatedly asked by the foreign press corps questions referencing his intentions. Did he see this coming? Did he account for domestic terror to this extent? Wasn’t there some need to intensify the attack against ISIS? The press, as representatives of the world, was looking for some signs of leadership and reassurance that matters were under control. They found none. In a cold, calm demeanor, the President of the United States answered every question with the attitude of; we must be patient in our approach. He emphasized in one lengthy rebuttal that ISIS was not representative of Islam and that we must protect the people and integrity of the Islamic faith. Last February in his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast, the President cited the Crusades as an act of Christian hostility that must be measured in history before we criticize Islam or risk being found hypocritical. At this week’s press conference, he continued that attitude. His rejoinder, in essence, was simply that Islam is not at fault.
The great nation state of France has been violated – their society, their laws, and their dignity desecrated. President Hollande has answered the emotional need of his country by saying they are at war with ISIS. He further stated, “We are not in a war of civilizations, because these assassins don’t represent one. We are in a war against jihadist terrorism, which threatens the entire world.” President Obama did call the attack “a terrible and sickening setback.” Finally at the end of the news conference, he did admit that the extremists based their theology on the Islamic faith.
What is missing in President Obama’s temporal vision is that the jihadists intend to destroy our culture and way of life. It is this defense of our culture that should galvanize all lawful civilizations in unity. In the definition of civilization is the reflection of its culture. One only has to look at the fruits of ISIS occupation to determine that its culture embodies the antithesis to not just Western culture, but to all cultures of decency. Look how they treat their women, their children, and their families. It is evil incarnate. There is no due process, no rule of law available to all, no transparency, no respect whatsoever for diversity. This is what their culture represents. Denouncing them is not enough. We should proclaim and stand in solidarity for the defense of a culture in which we believe.
Yes, of course summarily lashing out at Muslims who do not profess violence is also morally wrong. The United States is an open, compassionate and caring nation. These characteristics must be advanced. But the rhetorical emphasis should not be on the defense of the Muslim faith. This protection should be inherent. The rhetorical emphasis should be on stating who we are culturally – a nation and a culture that believes in rule of law, due process, free and independent courts, free and unrestricted press, and transparency; a nation that believes in principled free enterprise through capitalism and private ownership; a culture that accepts diversity, independent thought, and secular and Judeo-Christian cultural values. The President appeared to be passive in his defense of liberty, as if the world in its diversity will course correct itself.
What is needed is leadership and a bold strategy to attack on all fronts. President Obama should engage Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, and propose coordination of military objectives in Syria. A coalition of Arab partners to include Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt should be established to cut off all supplies, provide boots and eyes on the ground, and isolate ISIS military maneuverings. Only the United States has the standing to lead the structure of such a new alliance.
On October 5, 1938, in response to the Munich Agreement signed by Great Britain and France to appease Adolph Hitler and German Nazi advances, Winston Churchill spoke for the unrepresented,
“Our loyal, brave people…should know that there has been gross neglect and deficiency in our defenses; they should know that we have sustained a defeat without a war, the consequences of which will travel far with us along our road; they should know that 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 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 or moral health and marshall vigour, we arise again and take our stand for freedom.”
Upon his return to London from Munich, Neville Chamberlain, waving the Agreement, declared, “Peace in our time.” Hitler did not want peace. He wanted domination. Less than six months later, on March 15, 1939, Nazi troops occupied Czechoslovakia. Three months later, Hitler began to pressure Poland. What is required to defeat fanatics is total commitment to their destruction. Every resource through every alliance must be mustered to meet any evil that’s purpose is the desecration of human dignity.
It should be our prayer that the United States will answer the call of the world to stand without reservation against tyranny. We should not hesitate to declare the attributes of our culture based on the foundations of Judeo-Christian principles and the liberty of Western cultures.
Freedom and liberty are our values. They are worth defending at all costs. Time is not on our side. Bold, determined leadership is imperative.
It is time as a people that we stand in defense of our values. It is time as a nation that we commit to lead a global alliance in cultural solidarity. It is time that we take our place as leader of the free world, committing to its security without excuse or compromise. It is time that we defend what we believe lest we be weighed in the balance and found wanting.
My name is Marc Nuttle and this is what I believe.
What do you believe?