Terri
03-09-2003, 11:06 PM
The Oldest Child
By Paul Karcher
GOPUSA
March 10, 2003
I am the father of three wonderful children. Most times the burden of an important job falls on the shoulder of the oldest child; whether it is holding the hands of the younger children as we cross a busy street or helping me clean out the garage. Unfortunately, I always hear the same complaint "Why don't you ask them to help or why do I have do this". Each time my answer is the same, "You are the oldest child and you are expected to step up and help out. When the other children are old enough, they will have to help out too". Like clockwork, her response is "I didn't ask to be the oldest! It is not fair, let somebody else do it!"
Well folks, the fact of the matter is, America holds the same role in the world community as my oldest child holds in my house. We didn't ask for it, we are ridiculed for it, we are hated for it and we don't necessarily want it, but we are the "oldest child". In 1962, the world cringed as it appeared we were on the brink of nuclear war with Cuba and the Soviet Union. We would have rather turned our back, but our national security was in jeopardy, as was the security of the world. In 1983 US forces invaded Grenada, deposing the Marxist regime. In 1987, in his famous speech, Ronald Reagan said "General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberation, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall". I'm sorry, but I don't remember the French President challenging Mr. Gorbachev. In Mogadishu, Somalia, during 1993, a renegade warlord starved and abused his people. Once again, Americans stepped up to remedy a deteriorating situation.
Full Story (http://www.gopusa.com/opinion/pk_0310.shtml)
Very good analogy!
By Paul Karcher
GOPUSA
March 10, 2003
I am the father of three wonderful children. Most times the burden of an important job falls on the shoulder of the oldest child; whether it is holding the hands of the younger children as we cross a busy street or helping me clean out the garage. Unfortunately, I always hear the same complaint "Why don't you ask them to help or why do I have do this". Each time my answer is the same, "You are the oldest child and you are expected to step up and help out. When the other children are old enough, they will have to help out too". Like clockwork, her response is "I didn't ask to be the oldest! It is not fair, let somebody else do it!"
Well folks, the fact of the matter is, America holds the same role in the world community as my oldest child holds in my house. We didn't ask for it, we are ridiculed for it, we are hated for it and we don't necessarily want it, but we are the "oldest child". In 1962, the world cringed as it appeared we were on the brink of nuclear war with Cuba and the Soviet Union. We would have rather turned our back, but our national security was in jeopardy, as was the security of the world. In 1983 US forces invaded Grenada, deposing the Marxist regime. In 1987, in his famous speech, Ronald Reagan said "General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberation, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall". I'm sorry, but I don't remember the French President challenging Mr. Gorbachev. In Mogadishu, Somalia, during 1993, a renegade warlord starved and abused his people. Once again, Americans stepped up to remedy a deteriorating situation.
Full Story (http://www.gopusa.com/opinion/pk_0310.shtml)
Very good analogy!