The Siren Call

The world is a dangerous place today. Bombings in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, at Yale. Attempted hijackings. Suicidal maniacs. Osama at large; his friends making tapes. Strength is required; cowardice abounds. Our "friends" willingly ship us up the river; our enemies want nothing less than our total annihilation.

And what's that sound we hear, faintly, off in the distance?

It is the clarion call of the siren Isolationism.

Tempting us in to the "peaceful bliss" like we had during the 1920s. Calling us back to the calm of the early history of our nation, before foreign adventures were a part of our history. Reminding us of Washington's admonition to avoid "foreign entanglements."

It promises us peace. It promises us untold prosperity. It promises us security.

Forget the lessons of the past. This time is different. There is no Treaty of Versailles to create another Hitler. There is no chance of a world economic depression. Everything will be peaceful and safe in the American cocoon.

Close the borders. Stop immigration. America for Americans only. That is the only true path to security from terrorists.

And in the other ear, we hear another sound.

It is the quiet whisper of the nymph Internationalism.

We must subjugate the United States to the UN, as it is the only true government. The day of the nation has passed us by. The United States is itself archaic and in need of being given a proper burial.

We don't know how to deal with other people, as we are not diverse enough. Our government is ill equipped to balance the needs of all. Only an international organization can ensure the proper distribution of resources so that no one is left behind. Only when we have worldwide equality will the terrorism end.

Forget the lessons of the past. This time is different. The UN won't abdicate its responsibility again. There is no hope of a world economic recovery without a redistribution of the worldwide wealth so that everyone can enjoy the same standard of living. Everything will be safe and secure in the cocoon of the international community.

And as we look ahead, what do we see? We see the path of Americanism.

It is through turbulent waters. There is a fog in the distance. It seems as though it is brighter than the other choices; maybe there is something better out there. Maybe not. We won't know until we get there.

But we know there is no voice calling us. There is no promise of anything at the end of our journey. We know not what is there; we only know that getting there won't be easy.

It is a path that requires us to be strong. Not for others, but for us. It is a path that requires us to be thoughtful. Not to be smarter, but to overcome the impediments to our progress. It is a path that requires us to be true to our principles. Not because they are perfect, but because to stray from them would take us into the clutches of Isolationism or Internationalism.

We cannot forget the lessons of the past. They are the map that we must follow to stay on the path. Our Founders and our ancestors passed many of the same obstacles that we face. We have much to learn, but the lessons have already been taught.

There is no cocoon. There is no guarantee of safety. There is only the promise of America.

We already know what awaits us at the "end" of our journey. It is more of the same. Our journey is one that will end only when we allow it. It will end only when the path becomes "too difficult" for the American people.

The easy way out will always be there. At any time we can choose Isolationism or Internationalism. But they mean certain destruction of the American path. Once we fall into the clutches of either, we lose the choice to go forward our way, the American way.

If we choose Isolationism foreign enemies will destroy us as they gain sufficient strength to overwhelm us. It might be militarily; it might be politically. But our ultimate destruction will come from outside.

If we choose Internationalism we will be destroyed from within. We will give away all of our rights to be American.

If we look ahead on the American path, it looks difficult and fearsome. No one is promising anything. But we will still be American.

If we turn around and look back, we will see a path every bit as difficult as the one that faces us, maybe even more so. We will the bright light of hope that is the illumination for the way forward.

And we will hear a cry. We will hear the cry of millions as they encourage us on the American path. They know that they cannot promise an easy path or a safe future. They know that they can only impart to us knowledge of overcoming significant and minor obstacles. But only when we're willing to listen.

Those who have come before have faith in us. They have entrusted us with the greatest experiment in human history. They deemed us worthy of their gift. They await, but not too anxiously, the day when we join them in helping our descendents on the same path. They alone believe that we can complete our portion of the journey.

The twin temptations have no such faith. They pray for our failure, yet gird themselves for our success in staying the course.

We are at a decision point in our history as a nation. The temptations are sensing victory. They are grasping at the American miracle, trying to rip it asunder. It has been nearly 80 years since they have been this close to defeating us.

Our history is watching closely, hoping we make the right choice. The light of hope has faded, beaten back some by the evils of the sirens, but it still illuminates the path of the American people.

Are we willing to follow it, despite the trials and tribulations ahead?

Or will we take the easy way out?