Thomas L. Dynneson

We have learned from history that the state is not a conscious entity -- it can provide the individual with freedom and opportunity, but also perform great atrocities at home and abroad. Its leaders can be brilliant or absolute idiots. In the twinkling of an eye, an oligarchy of political leaders can plant the seeds that will totally destroy freedom, as well as threaten the very existence of the nation-state. Every generation must fight these forces if they are to insure their own freedom. When they look the other way to enjoy their privacy or their wealth, they have become gutless, and they will never be a great people.

What is a father? He is a husband and he is a manager that provides for his family. He is not your friend or is he your pal. He is also a protector and rescues you when you make a mess such as in a bad marriage, bankruptcy, or bad investments. He will come to aid if you fall ill or have a crisis. In old age he survives and does not want to be a burden to his children nor does he want them messing around in his affairs. He may be smarter than you and even wiser too, but you will not recognize it until he is gone.

Military defeats have consequences and anyway your look at it or not matter the excuses Afghanistan was a defeat, The ancient Greeks attempted an naval invasion against Syracuse on the island of Sicily in 414 BCE. The invading army and the entire fleet was destroyed and following the disaster the Athenian democracy was in trouble and was slowly reformed and once again became an oligarchy and by 404 BCE Athens was defeated. So much for democracy and the decision making wisdom of the democrats. The Athenians had allowed demagogues to rule and they were very similar to current American leadership.