In World War II, Winston Churchill famously declared that “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” It appears that there may be even fewer to count on if a recent poll out this weekend is accurate. The Quinnipiac University poll asked Americans “what would you do if you were in the same position as Ukrainians are now, stay and fight or leave the country?” Only 55 percent said that they would stay and fight for this country. That included only 40 percent of Democrats. Overall 38 percent of Americans said that they would flee. It appears that this country is facing an existential crisis of faith and we should have a frank discussion about why so comparably few Americans are now willing to pledge their lives in defense of this country.
Quinnipiac has long been relied upon in polling in the United States and is one of the most cited polling outfits for the media.
It is important to note that, while the results were shocking overall, many did say that they would stand and defend the United States from any invader. When asked this question 68 percent of Republicans and 57 percent of Independents say that they would fight. However more than half of Democrats (52%) said they would flee before fighting for their country (Eight percent did not have an answer, a shrug that is equally alarming).
As someone who came from a liberal, Democratic family in Chicago, I was shocked by the poll. My father and grandfather fought in the World Wars and everyone I grew up with on the liberal Northside of Chicago was both intensely liberal and intensely patriotic. Indeed, I often heard my parents challenge Republican friends for suggesting that conservatives were more patriotic or more willing to sacrifice for their country.
For my maternal Sicilian family, they felt a deep bond to the country that took them in and allowed them to live in freedom. Despite the prejudice that they encountered and difficult times, my Sicilian grandparents celebrated Independence Day like a religious holiday and often discussed their pride when they became American citizens. My grandfather was a union organizer and a coal miner who developed black lung in the mines of Ohio. He could not read or write but he could proudly recite parts of the Declaration of Independence and our national anthem.
We should be alarmed by this poll because it shows a deep disconnection with this country and its protection. If you are not willing to defend this country, citizenship becomes a status of convenience; an opportunistic association that can be shed as easily as it is acquired. It is a commitment that extends little beyond annual tax obligations.
Notably, the poll did not pose a question over what might be viewed as an unjustified war in another land like Vietnam. This question asked about an invasion of our country. Indeed, despite the opposition to Vietnam, many Democrats and liberals still felt obligated to answer the call for service when drafted.
The poll shows a crisis of faith within the Democratic party, but also our country at large. People have lost faith in our common article of faith in the Constitution. That did not occur over night. There have been unrelenting attacks on our institutions and core values for years that ignore our countervailing successes. We have gone through terrible periods and faced terrible institutions and practices from slavery to segregation. However, we faced them as a people united in a common faith captured in the Declaration of Independence:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”
We have not always lived up to those principles. Indeed, when those words were written, millions were left in slavery and millions were barred from voting, property ownership. and other basic rights of citizenship. However, we became better than we were due to a faith in ourselves and our common constitutional bound.
This is just one poll and people can have different motivations in answering such questions. However, there was clearly a desire by many to convey this disconnection with the country in their answers that suggest something more than just impish responses.
There has been a growing agnosticism regarding this country as many challenge our foundational institutions and values. It is captured in words of leaders like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who questioned the very need for the Supreme Court when it was not ruling in line with her own views: “How much does the current structure benefit us? And I don’t think it does.” That is a worthy debate to have and our Constitution protects all sides in having it. Yet, there is an underlying message that, because our institutions did not produce the results demanded by Ocasio-Cortez, we are told to scrap them.
Elie Mystal, who writes for the Nation and Above the Law, called the Constitution “kind of trash.” In his new book, “Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution,” Mystal says that we should just ignore what the Framers thought or said. When asked “if are you arguing that the Constitution needs to be scrapped altogether?” Mystal said he would be “all for” a move to “throw out” the Constitution. Others, including lawyers, agreed with Mystal and declared “the Constitution is trash.”
It is a crisis of faith shown in academics like Georgetown Professor Eddie Glaude insisting that we need to scrap what we have and be “refounded” rather than “tinker around the edges while people are dying.” He insists that, despite the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement and anti-discrimination laws, it is hopeless to expect the system to change: “At every moment when a new America seems to be about to be born, the umbilical cord of white supremacy is wrapped around the baby’s neck, choking the life out of it. ”
The curious aspect of such comments is that we are constantly being reborn as a people. Our Constitution created an experiment in self-governance that remains a work in progress. However, it does not guarantee that you simply get what you want or you can “throw out” the Constitution like Mystal’s unwanted trash.
The people of Ukraine have given the world a symbol of defiance and faith. That is a country that has been deeply divided in the past and only gained its independence in 1991. Vladimir Putin clearly counted on many opting to stand aside rather than stand up for their young nation. Instead, opposing parties and leaders stood together and united in their common identity as Ukrainians.
It appears from this poll that many of us have lost that capacity for faith and sacrifice. Many are unwilling to take that same leap of faith in our system and each other.
President John F. Kennedy, a Democrat who was decorated for his bravery in World War II, famously declared in 1961: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” The question is whether Americans are willing to answer the same call today.
“Poll: Almost Forty Percent of Americans Say That They Would Rather Flee Than Defend the United States”
– Professor Turley
______________
______________
About 70 million of them were never intended to be here; they were certainly never intended to vote.
_______________________________________________________________________________
“Suppose 20 millions of republican Americans thrown all of a sudden into France, what would be the condition of that kingdom?” “If it would be more turbulent, less happy, less strong, we may believe that the addition of half a million of foreigners to our present numbers would produce a similar effect here.”
– Thomas Jefferson
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“The influx of foreigners must, therefore, tend to produce a heterogeneous compound; to change and corrupt the national spirit; to complicate and confound public opinion; to introduce foreign propensities. In the composition of society, the harmony of the ingredients is all-important, and whatever tends to a discordant intermixture must have an injurious tendency.”
– Alexander Hamilton
________________
“[There is no particular need for the U.S. to encourage immigration] except of useful mechanics and some particular descriptions of men or professions.” “The policy or advantage of its taking place in a body (I mean the settling of them in a body) may be much questioned; for by so doing, they retain the language, habits, and principles (good or bad) which they bring with them.”
– George Washington
_________________
Emigrants typically brought with them certificates from “the religious societies to which they belonged” that testified to their good character. [I propose that] something similar be required of all those wishing to settle here.
– Rufus King
__________
Naturalization Acts of 1790, 1795, 1798 and 1802 (four iterations – they meant it)
United States Congress, “An act to establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization,” March 26, 1790
“Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That any Alien being a free white person, who shall have resided within the limits and under the jurisdiction of the United States for the term of two years, may be admitted to become a citizen thereof…”
George – If the wealthy class didn’t benefit from one-two million new legal/illegal immigrants each year, it would be stopped. The informed/uniformed non-wealthy classes bear the costs of higher rent, food, higher priced used cars, crowded neighborhoods, more traffic on streets & roads, higher taxes to pay for more police, fire stations, EMS, hospital emergency rooms etc.
Don’t tell me, tell the Founders.
Please provide statistics to establish that as fact not folly.
America imports conquering parasites.
The Philippines provide labor around the globe – they don’t strike, they don’t vote, they go home.
Public schools aren’t making Americans anymore. They are making hyphenated tribes with very narrow loyalties.
My father-in-law, who as a young man, was a crew member in a B-24 during WW2 for 30 missions early in the war, He received several metals, including the Distinguish Service Cross and the Silver Star. He died in 1996. Even then our country was in such a state that I recall him saying a couple of years before he died that he wouldn’t “do it again.” My father died in 1945 from injuries he received in North Africa. He spent two years in a veterans hospital and had lots of suffering. So did my mother. I didn’t have to go to Vietnam because of the “sole surviving son” rule. I’ve felt guilt over that every since 1965. Not anymore. This country isn’t worth it.
Sad story Ralph Lewis. Your father-in-law wasn’t fighting for the America of today or three hundred years from now he was fighting for the America of his day which was the right thing to do. What would our nation be like today if he hadn’t made the sacrifices that he made. Nothing has really changed. In his day there were enemies from within and across the seas. All nations have made mistakes but our nation is still the most free nation on the globe. Indeed, once our freedoms have been taken by the enemy from within there will be nothing left to fight for. My position remains more optimistic than yours. It is equally important to stand for our freedoms when the bullets are not flying. Considering all things I will still stand up next to you and defend her still today. My eyes look upon the other nations of the world and I understand the alternatives. Hopefully you will make the same observation and will reevaluate your position. Even the Pope is a sinner.
To an American, the following quote by Macaulay is ethos; to most selfish Democrats, it’s foolish poetry. That’s the difference::
“And how can men die better
Than facing fearful odds,
For the ashes of his fathers,
And the temples of his Gods.”
Mespo,
Lays of Ancient Rome?
Yep
Interesting to reflect that the location of the bridge that Horatio defended is still known. I wish now that I had visited it when last I was in Rome.
The Milvian bridge still exists now, a bit further on the way out of the city on the Flaminian Way although it is of modern construction now.
For me, visiting these places brings them and the events that took place there out of the notional world of history and into my real world.
Jeff, you defame Turley by calling him a never Trumper. He isn’t. You are putting him in a group where he doesn’t belong. Turley doesn’t like being pushed around like a chess pawn.
What is a “liberal,” these days? Certainly not what Lord Acton, or, indeed, liberals of earlier generations would recognize as such. The simple fact is there are people who are Americans because they ascribe to the founding values and philosophies of this country. Then, there are people who are citizens of the United States and enjoy the benefits and privileges associated with that status, but the only “American” thing about them is likely their street address. The latter don’t even deserve the appellation of “summer soldiers and sunshine patriots.” Flee, indeed – don’t let the door hit you on your way out – the way back will be barred, so pick your dream destination carefully.
The Democratic party has and will defend everyday for the right to vote for duly elected representatives of the people and the constitution of the United States. As of late, the Trumpist party can say no such thing. Maybe the question should have been, will you fight for democracy?
Fishy:
That’s why they ginned up the faked Russian dossier to undermine an elected President and sent every traitor they could to overthrow him. Face it, the Dims are terrible people and cowardly citizens.
Mespo says:
“Face it, the Dims are terrible people and cowardly citizens.”
You forget that Turley is a proud liberal Democrat and unequivocal NeverTrumper.
Democrats can’t be ALL bad. After all, Turley has NEVER stated that he has left the Democratic Party nor forsaken his liberal values.
What’s more, Turley has NEVER recanted his estimation that Trump is a “carnival snake charmer” nor has he ever said a flattering remark about Trump’s integrity since that damning assessment of his moral character.
Prove me wrong on any of these accounts.
I’ll wait….
So, what—now you are defending Prof. Turley in spite of regularly complaining about his commentaries and failure to support all the whimsical points you entertain? Real integrity there, Jeff.
Olde Edo,
I agree with Turley 9 out of 10 times since we are both Liberal NeverTrumpers. I have just 2 disagreements with him:
1. I disagree with his view that Little Brother should not discriminate against bad speech any more so than Big Brother. I believe private citizens and companies must police themselves of bad speech by not merely speaking against it but *acting* against it albeit civilly.
2. I condemn his hypocritical profiting upon the rage fomented by his Fox News colleagues despite his denouncing of “our age of rage” which he highlights ONLY in the MSM and NEVER at his own network. I hope he regrets his decision in private and leaves quietly or is forced out when he does not fall in line to condemn any potential future prosecution of, or civil judgement against, Trump.
“Cultural Marxism: A Primer — attacks on President Trump… [O]perate in a battle-space prepared, informed and conditioned by cultural Marxist drivers…. [P]olitical warfare assault on President Trump cannot be separated from the cultural Marxist narratives that drive them….
. . . C]ultural Marxism relates to programs and activities that arise out of Gramsci Marxism, Fabian Socialism and most directly from the Frankfurt School. The Frankfurt strategy deconstructs societies through attacks on culture by imposing a dialectic that forces unresolvable contradictions under the rubric of critical theory. The result is induced nihilism, a belief in everything that is actually the belief in nothing….
Marcuse defined tolerance as intolerance… the objective of tolerance would call for intolerance toward prevailing policies, attitudes, opinions, and the extension of tolerance to policies, attitudes, and opinions which are outlawed or suppressed.” ___Higgens
Oh BS. That may be the dumbest comment yet on this string. Anyone who wants to vote can, but they may have to make an effort. The laziness and desire to be served everything on a platter is sickening. Get off your lazy butt and go to the appropriate voting location, with ID, and vote for the politician of your choice.
W.R. – that is easy to say if you are physically able.
Maybe, Professor Turley, you should see an opportunity here for a blog that deals with this issue and apply your knowledge of Law and the Constitution to solutions. As I stated above, the tools to improve our nation are their if only we utilize them. A great deal has to deal with the lack of term limits and age. Avg lifespan at the time of the written constitution was between 30-40. There was little experience with multi-decade lives in politics with little work outside of politics. Basically everyone who wrote the constitution were self made men who had made their own fortunes. The age of the colonies was too short to have built up a permanent rich class or royalty. That is a problem now. Maybe term limits, maybe age limits for all. Raise the minimum age and drop lifetime appointments to less than lifetime. Maybe set deadlines in congress for a budget yearly to be done by a certain time or all pay stops and the government shuts down. No continuing resolutions. Balanced budget amendments which are actually not conservative or liberal but simply require you to pay the bill for whatever government you wish to have. Set accounting procedures. Maybe the filibuster should go as it is in our present congress. Maybe the length of time a law is set will be contingent on the size of of the majority that votes for it (weird I know) Put citizenship requirements in the constitution, as well as naturalization requirements and get it out of the courts so they can deal with more pressing issues. We have a lot of pressing issues to deal with from a right or left side but too much inertia built into the system. Maybe the constitution should set the rules of both houses and simplify some of the arcane rules congress often uses for inertia. Set requirements for appointed cabinet posts or judgeships. Should a Supreme Court justice be snatched right out of the population or should they have demonstrated reasonable facility in state appeals courts or supreme courts or in the federal appellate system. Maybe we have a constitutional convention every 20-30 years of all the states represented where new amendments can be presented and voted on but still require 2/3 vote to get them sent to the states and 3/4 of the votes of the states to ratify. Congress is obviously incapable of reforming itself so maybe We The People do it. The constitution is there to protect us from the government by limiting it’s powers. Time for us to do it. I am neither a progressive or liberal but simply a student of our history. We can do better. I know that there is a lot here that many will condemn but it needs to be discussed, some kept and some thrown away. We can do better and we have 250 years of history and plenty of examples of what works and what does not.
Sheep
If JT is interested in the views of AOC, Warren, Glaude, and Mystal on this fight or flee poll and what may have contributed to the results, he should work with Fox and his other media partners to interview them. The quotes from these individuals are out of context and I don’t find using them by JT to be particularly relevant or persuasive to support his narrative.
They run from Fox. It’s a news organization ya know.
Mespo says about Fox:
“It’s a news organization ya know.”
BUT it’s FAKE NEWS. There, I said it- “fake news.” Just like a real honest to goodness Trumpist!
Proud of me?
You should have produced AOC in context, but you didn’t. I am not sure about any single statement of hers, but listening to AOC frequently, that statement is not t of context. I think you are making things up.
This poll reflects the shallowness of civics literacy in this country. Deep loyalty to our country requires an equally deep understanding of how we got here. You cannot replace that with loyalty to political parties and the transient nature of majority agendas.
A key problem with this Quinnipiac poll is that it doesn’t break out subsets of people whom we might expect to flee rather than fight: children, a parent with young children, the elderly, people with disabilities that make them vulnerable.
Over 2 million Ukrainians have fled Ukraine, mostly from the groups above. I do not condemn them. Turley is silent about whether he condemns them.
I’ve heard that desertion during combat can get you shot in the back as you flee. “I read about some squirrelly guy
Who claims that he just don’t believe in fightin’
And I wonder just how long
The rest of us can count on bein’ free
They love our milk and honey
But they preach about some other way of livin’
But when they’re runnin’ down our country, man
They’re walkin’ on the fightin’ side of me”
To the Liberals who would choose to flee rather than fight for our country and our way of life, where would they flee to? and what would they do when that new Liberal home was invaded by another totalitarian dictator like Putin? If you choose not to fight but flee to another country, you will eventually run out of places to run to. Better to stand up and fight to defend your land and way of life NOW lie the Ukrainian’s are doing now! Or you can just rely on the patriotic conservatives to provide you with a great country to live in like you have been doing for so long.
I agree, Patriotic conservatives like Amman Bundy in Idaho. Just arrested as he attempted to prevent the state from helping a baby that was being starved to death by his parents. The same man that desecrated Native American sties in Oregon, Defecated in buildings and public property. Refuses to wear a mask in crowded places where immune compromised people are when COVID was raging. Barges into public meetings because, well, that is what bullies do. Yes indeed, great American patriots like the Bundys.
You point to one nut job who virtually no conservative agrees with. There are nut jobs on both sides of the aisle. Just look in the mirror and you will see a nut job on the left. Look at all the liberals who want to throw out the constitution and our institutions who rioted in the summer of of 2020. Who burned down buildings, attacked police stations and court houses, and looted to their greedy hearts content, none of which had to do with the injustice that George Floyd suffered from one rogue cop I’ll raise your one nut job on the right with the thousands of radical nut jobs on the left who caused billions in damage to innocent people and businesses. and the thousand of left wing socialists who approved of their methods
Hundreds of conservatives have already been charged with crimes for their violent attempt to prevent Congress from certifying the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6.
They were the ones trying to throw out the Constitution and the peaceful transfer of power in our country.
You either are anonymous the stupid or should be.
“Refuses to wear a mask in crowded places…”
This made me laugh. Thank you.
Thank you for showing your true colors. There are millions of immune compromised people that have been unable to partake in society due to some individuals jerk behavior of not wearing a mask in crowded places. Your concern for others is duly noted. I would wish on no one that they get cancer and then realize how vulnerable they are in society due to the immune killing treatment they undergo. Why do you have so little concern for those less fortunate among us?
Baby Trump – I am not a doctor and I do not play one on tv. However, to the best of my knowledge cancer is no infectious and wearing a mask in public would not protect you or others.
Depends on the kind of mask. Good masks definitely help to protect people. That’s why medical professionals wear them.
Anonymous – which mask is going to stop cancer?
Paul, I hadn’t realized that you meant “wearing a mask in public would not protect you or others from cancer,” but since you’re asking: some kinds of masks help protect people from carcinogenic particulates (e.g., asbestos).
Anonymous – from the way the original comment was written, we are to wear masks to stop others from getting cancer. I do agree masks are important around asbestos, paint, etc.
No, the original commenter was simply noting that people being treated for cancer are among those who are immune compromised, and we should wear masks to help protect immune compromised people, as we may knowingly or unknowingly be infected with an airborne disease, and a mask helps reduce the likelihood of the wearer transmitting an infection to others.
Anonymous – the poster specifically said “cancer.”
Paul,
The person’s original comment makes no mention of cancer. He said “Amman Bundy … Refuses to wear a mask in crowded places where immune compromised people are when COVID was raging.” Then in his next comment he again referred to immune compromised people, giving cancer as an example of what might lead to someone being immune compromised: “There are millions of immune compromised people that have been unable to partake in society due to some individuals jerk behavior of not wearing a mask in crowded places. … I would wish on no one that they get cancer and then realize how vulnerable they are in society due to the immune killing treatment they undergo.”
Again, I interpreted this as the person noting that people being treated for cancer are among those who are immune compromised, and we should wear masks to help protect immune compromised people, as we may knowingly or unknowingly be infected with an airborne disease, and a mask helps reduce the likelihood of the wearer transmitting an infection to others.
Anonymous – we will just have to agree to disagree.
Paul,
I can agree to disagree about matters of opinion, but I do not agree to disagree about factual issues. With factual issues, we should be able to reach agreement on the facts. When it comes to factual issues, if someone presents evidence that I’m wrong, then I’ll change my mind. In this case, since we’re discussing what BabyTrump said and meant, the evidence starts with a quote: what the BabyTrump said. You haven’t quoted anything, or even really explained why you’ve interpreted his/her statement differently. If I’ve understood correctly, you seem to think that BabyTrump was implying that masks prevent the transmission of cancer. I simply don’t see that in what BabyTrump said, and you haven’t tried to make an argument for your interpretation. But of course you’re free to decide that it’s not worth taking time to resolve it.
Anonymous – quote what Baby Trump said and then we can go thru it again. 🙂
Paul,
I don’t know you well enough to judge whether you meant that sarcastically or not. My guess is yes, but in case you didn’t, here (again) is the relevant text from BabyTrump:
He initially said: “Amman Bundy … Refuses to wear a mask in crowded places where immune compromised people are when COVID was raging.”
In his next comment he again referred to immune compromised people, giving cancer as an example of what might lead to someone being immune compromised: “There are millions of immune compromised people that have been unable to partake in society due to some individuals jerk behavior of not wearing a mask in crowded places. … I would wish on no one that they get cancer and then realize how vulnerable they are in society due to the immune killing treatment they undergo.” That’s the one and only time that BabyTrump mentioned cancer.
Anonymous – can you not see how not wearing a mask could give other people cancer?
Again, Paul, BabyTrump wasn’t suggesting that “not wearing a mask could give other people cancer.” You have yet to explain why you interpreted what he wrote that way.
All he said about cancer was “I would wish on no one that they get cancer and then realize how vulnerable they are in society due to the immune killing treatment they undergo.” You do understand that a lot of treatments for cancer weaken the immune system, right?
Anonymous – I just said that cancer was not infectious.
Paul,
OK. I don’t think anyone has suggested otherwise. Though there are some viruses, like HPVs and HIV, that can increase the risk of certain kinds of cancer.
So sad. But how can you complain when the Democrats want to restrict free speech so much. I mean just look at Lt Governor Dan Patrick in Texas https://www.the74million.org/article/lt-gov-dan-patrick-commits-to-ending-tenure-el-paso-faculty-call-it-a-political-attack/, he wants to do away with tenure. What is up with those democrats. And this in a deep blue democratic state like Texas.
Did they poll Trump and his family?
They would be first to flee; probably to Trump Tower Russia. War is for suckers in their estimation.
They would also lie on any survey about the subject. And they would not pay US taxes to fight the war effort.
Pure ignorance by those newly named posters that want to hide themselves from criticism.
Dr. Turley, I am astonished at the results of this poll, yet at the same time, not surprised. The how for my holding these two opposing viewpoints is a conundrum. Basically, it reflects the tug-o-war between my hope and pragmatism I am quite saddened. Sigh.
There is nothing in The Constitution or the Oaths of Office or of Citizenship that gives Citizens the Right to be defended. They only state ‘support, defend, preserve and protect’ always variations of those words. Constitution or Contract, citizens have rights and corresponding responsibilities. One begets the other.
Therefore I would suggest it become part of voter registration and voting rights. Those who refuse to protect do not get protected except as incidental to another situation. No police, no fire, no military, no medical, no education.The first three for certain surety.
They made their bed just tax them for the benefit of Citizens. Let their ID cards state so. Make sure they have access to the door.
Does that sound harsh? So is 24 years in the Infantry defending them that aren’t citizens and should not be treated as citizens.
Show them the door starting with all the self proclaimed socialists like Ocasio.
And give Puerto Rico its freedom unilaterally.
After all they asked for it.Be polite and hold the door open. It is the civilized thing to do befitting and supporting OUR Constitution.
Turley misunderstands what it was all because of one word. It was a “Pole”. A man from Poland. Not some poll taken to determine viewpoints.
68% of Republicans would fight rather than flee. That proportion will be even higher if you’re talking about Republican men of warfighting age because Republicans would expect these young men to stand and fight so that their families can escape being killed.
If 52% of Democrats would flee, that proportion will be even higher among young Democrats because they are the epicenter of worldwide wokism. Doubt me? I dare you to poll them.
Which brings me to the ironies of our time. Why does our Pentagon seem determined to make the military a hostile work environment for these very conservatives? Why do our media and academia enjoy waging a cultural war intended to reduce exactly these young, conservative men to subhuman status? Why do our corporations jump on these bigoted bandwagons? Does anyone really expect the NFL or Nike or Coca Cola to defend Taiwan?
What we have in this country is a disaster of leadership. Academia and media have always had their cesspools, but this is a broader failure of leadership than anything seen since the Civil War. Going along to get along is not leadership, Mr. Zuckerberg. Slave labor in China is not social justice, Mrs. Jobs.
Pacifying the hard left is not leadership, MR. BIDEN.
No wonder so many young people hate this country. No wonder Putin is making his move now. Our leaders are sellouts and quislings.
Thank you for sharing your perspective, Diogenes!
Thank you, Catherine 🙂 These are vexatious times.
I would stand and fight, as would my sons, but I would expect my wife and daughters to evacuate to safety, because they would not be of much use, frankly, in a conflict.
I wonder how the breakdown of these poll numbers would be if delineated by both sex and political party?
It’s a major question. I don’t know why they didn’t explore it (or maybe they were afraid to report the results).
Dio,
We Old Farts would also be among those who stand and fight….if for no other reason we are too old and lame to run.
Of course those of us who survived real combat with armed aggressive capable enemies got old for a reason…with some grit and experience and a large dash of pure luck…..so expect to see us at the barricades.
When it comes to total war….every one has a role to play if only to tend to the cook fires and toting supplies to the fighters.
The People of Ukraine are showing the rest of the World what uncommon valor being a common act is all about.
Hey Ralph! When are you leaving for Odessa to take up arms for a foreign country instead of just goading the rest of our young people to join you on your windmill tilting? Give our best to Sancho. I’ll send you a Robert Goulet recording of the “Impossible Dream.”
I would be proud to share a foxhole with you, Ralph 🙂
Diogenes…..I would be proud to share that foxhole with you….with one condition….you are not ever to call out “Fix Bayonets!”.
If you do….you might find yourself talking to yourself and become the Guy I have been told never to share such posh digs with…..one who is braver than oneself!
Ralphj Chappall – I am really curious as to why Diogenes cannot yell “Fix Bayonets!”. Please elaborate on your reasoning. And is it just Diogenes or everybody who cannot yell “Fix Bayonets?”
Paul,
Your question suggests to me you do not understand the connotation of the Command “Fix Bayonets!” as you have not served in the Infantry (Army or Marines).
That Command indicates one of two things…..either you are being attacked by an enemy force and are about to be overrun and killed and are going to defend yourself using Rifle Butts, Bayonets, Knives…Shovels …..or…..you are about to make a violent attack upon your enemy and engage in hand to hand combat and by using your Bayonet to stick them in the Throat. That is the most violent form of ground combat.
So….what I was suggesting to Diogenes is should he issue that Command….I would consider him to be far more brave than I and thus I would be inclined to seek another Soldier to share a foxhole with.
That is called Army Humor.
Ralph Chappell – I know what the command “Fix bayonets!” means. Your commanding officer gives the command. And it would not make any difference if Diogenes shared a foxhole with you. As your commanding officer, your better fix that bayonet.
As to the humor. If you have to explain a joke, it isn’t a joke.
Just not in the Ukraine 🙂
“68 percent of Republicans would fight”
They and most Americans over age 18 would have a massive heart attack upon running 10 feet. Who are you kidding with your “stand and fight” shtick? This ain’t 1776 brother! Heck our military recruits arent much better
I think people need to calm down a little about this poll. There are ups and downs to polls over the decades and we have to realize this. I’m sure at the height of the depression there would have been many who would leave and in fact many looked to the soviet system. That changed as the depression started to improve and FDR showed hope and people started to believe again. That was why so many did join the communist party in the 30’s because of system seemed to have failed. They came to regret that in the 1950’s. Woodrow Wilson had little to no faith in the Constitution and wanted it abolished. The Confederacy did leave the Union. Maybe only a 1/3 of the population supported the revolution, many simply wanted to be left alone and substantial numbers left the US after the revolution for Canada or the UK. Read some of their letters from the UK about how much they regretted leaving. With all that said, your educational system bears a great deal of the blame. We are imperfect and always have been but too many people and educators use that imperfection as a reason to hate our system instead of teaching the vast good that this nation has accomplished and we should strive to continue to improve it. One of the reasons for the warfare being waged in school boards across the country is the hate that is taught. Too many politicians fail to lead and only enrich themselves. We need a sense of renewal but the tools to accomplish that lie right there in the constitution and should be used. In the end it’s all about leadership or the lack of it.
. . . . . and we not only do not have any leadership today, we only have corrupt incompetence