Thoughts on Unbroken

I have just finished reading the book, Unbroken, by Lauren Hillenbrand.  I have not seen the movie yet, but I plan to.

My library includes a number of volumes concentrating on the treatment of POW’s and civilian populations of countries that were conquered by Japan.  In most of the volumes on this subject, we are given background in the reasons that an entire culture might sink into a cesspool of despicable and inhumane actions against their fellow man.  Most of these refer to the fact that Japanese citizens were brainwashed into the conviction that the Japanese culture and race were superior and therefore licensed to treat any other culture and/or race as they saw fit.  We know the result of this attitude.

But my main reason in submitting this letter to the editor is not the bygone days of WWII.  This letter is an observation about history repeating itself.  Geographic settings are only minimally important.  Is there still anyone out there in this country who believes that the religion of Islam, especially the fringe jihadist elements of it, does not call for the same type of inhumane policies?

Head severing; executions of entire groups of non-combatants, especially women and children; crucifixions, destruction of historical and religious sites:  these are the actions of men fired with the same cultural attitudes that plagued the Japanese during the 20^th Century (and before).  And, Mr. Obama, these actions are not workplace violence.

This nation is already “behind the 8 ball” in dealing with these creeps.  Presidents Obama and Bush both had opportunities to protect our country and crush these people in their infancy, but those opportunities have evaporated.  News agencies have reported that there are cells of Islamic terrorism alive and well in this country.  Some American citizens have already checked out to go fight for ISIS.  We are closing Gitmo and releasing the “worst of the worst” who will then return to the battlefield as heroes.

Finally, “It can’t happen here?”  Hide and watch.

Is there a traitor among us?

Is There a Traitor Among Us?

What is a traitor?  According to the Websters 9^th Collegiate Dictionary definition #2 has it as “one who commits treason,” which brings us to the definition of “treason.”  Again, a definition from the same source, #2,  “the offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance or to kill or personally injure the sovereign or his family.”

This definition holds several interesting phrases:  1) The actions of a traitor must be “overt.”  2) They must be designed to injure the country “to which one owes allegiance.”  In most countries, the act of treason is considered a most heinous crime, which can merit the death penalty.

Let’s examine the possibility that there could be a traitor among us.  He/she could be guilty of one or several of the acts listed below.  Having the power to enact most of the following list of actions would give a traitor a much easier road than a person working alone without any of that power or authority.

Consider the following actions, which could be deemed treasonous or traitorous:  What if a person, group, or organization might--

1)    Negotiate with stated enemies of the nation, such as Cuba or Iran?

2)    Release prisoners of war, who were captured as armed and avowed enemies of the country, and this release being done before the end of the war?  None of those released have disavowed their desire to destroy this country.   At least one such release being made in exchange for a man who deserted his military post and his comrades under fire.  At the same time other citizens are being left in the hands of barbarians, who butcher them for sport.

3)    Outright lie to the citizens of the country regarding a product they are forced to purchase?

4)    Threaten and reduce the sovereignty of the nation by destroying the borders and refusing to protect them from invasion by aliens who wish to cross it illegally?

5)    Abuse the power of the executive mandate to sabotage the economic power and the employment possibilities for the nation, particularly the oil and gas industry?  (Keystone Pipeline and ANWLR restrictions are examples.)

6)    Hasten the economic destruction of the nation by out-of-control spending, thus saddling the citizenry with crushing debt.

7)    Manipulate public sentiment with the use of propaganda to promote the idea that the nation is not exceptional, that it is simply one more mediocre country among many?   All this is accomplished with the complicity of corrupt and/or lazy media outlets, of course.

8)    Promote class and racial warfare to fragment the country, making it simpler to “divide and conquer”?

9)    Illegally employ governmental agencies to spy on citizens?

10) Illegally authorize governmental agencies, such as the IRS, to thwart those of opposing political persuasion from speaking out or standing up or being accorded their due rights?

11) Consistently deny the true nature of our enemy?

12) Pretend to fight an enemy by dribbling, ineffective bombing runs, which do not advance the war effort, but do endanger allied troops on the ground?

13) Refuse to help arm and support those allies that are fighting the enemy? (Kurds, Ukranians, and Jordanians are three examples.)

If, by chance, we could uncover such a traitor, would it not be incumbent upon us to report this person or group to the proper authorities?  More importantly, would it not be a patriotic act, which would then gain the undying appreciation of the American people?  Let us be vigilant, lest someone of this description might be found amongst us.