Remembering patriots and kings
The New York Times > Opinion > Op-Ed Columnist: Their George and Ours
This is a fascinating look at the Declaration of Independence. In a similar vein, we would do well today to remember our own Revolutionary War soldiers - you know, the ones who fought so bravely, with inferior weapons, against an occupying army? The ones who hid behind stonewalls, shot a British soldier or two, then ran away to fight another day? Think about how these "villains," these "thugs," were viewed in England in 1776. And think in what ways they are the same as - and in what ways they differ from - those who oppose our occupying forces in Iraq.
As with the Declaration of Independence there are some interesting parallels - and, of course, some significant differences.
For example, think about how they were viewed and how they acted at Kings Mountain. One of their major victories was at Kings Mountain. But at Kings Mountain there was only one British soldier opposing them. The rest of the "enemy" force was made up of Americans loyal to the King. And after the Patriots had won that battle, what did they do to the soldiers they had captured? They started taking them out in threes and hanging them.
Rather ugly, wouldn't you say? Men die rather slowly and painfully when they are hanged. And what are our heroes doing hanging prisoners of war?
Well, war is ugly and civil war - which is what our Revolution was in many areas of our country - is even uglier. So is the civil war in Iraq. And yes there are foreign troops in Iraq stirring the pot - bu then, didn;t our victory depend largely on help from Britains traditonal enemy, France? I don't think George Washington would have hanged enemy soldiers. But then, he wasn't really in control of all the little groups, scattered about the country, that were fighting for independence. And I doubt anyone is really in control of all the opposition forces in Iraq.
If you think I am trying, by this, to excuse beheading, or attacks on American troops in Iraq, you got it ll wrong. It's war that makes me sick and the men who wage it - the men who fail to solve their problems in a sensible way - the men who profit from the misery of others. War is a sickness - it represents an utter failure of civilization and that's why6 I nolonger wave flags on Independence day, or am cheered by beautiful fireworks.
You can tell me that the only reason I can write this - that I have the freedom to speak my mind - is because my ancestors stood up to a tyrant. Really? Canada was under the rule of the same tyrant and Canadians have the same freedoms today that I have. So do Australians. And so do the Indians who fought a truely noble, peaceful revolution to overthrow British domination. it doesn't always have to be this way and for me, celebrating war makes no more sense than celebrating a fit of insanity. i understand it. I know people go insane and I don't blame them. And I do appreciate that mixed in with the insanity were good solid ideals of human rights and dignity and I commend these ideals - but I will not cheer the wanton killing to achieve them.
