Fortress America

[David]

reprinted from the commentary section of patriotfiles.com

October 2001

I understand all too well the reason why this act of violence was committed against our land.

We as Americans live and thrive in a fortress. A fortress where people conduct their lives without the daily fear of catastrophic loss. Of course we have problems inside the walls. We become frustrated with criminals who disrupt our peaceful existence. But we cope with this low level threat and continue on with our lives.

And so time moves on and we inside fortress America become soft. We forget the necessity for a warrior mindset as generations of patriots and heroes from a forgotten era, silently pass away. But that seems alright because most Americans believe the world outside the fortress is just like our world inside. When a temporary threat against us fades away we clamor for an immediate return to peace. Loud voices inside the walls demand that funding and support for the defenders of our way of life be redirected to issues inside the fortress. And we agree.

We turn inward again. We ignore the voices of the warriors struggling to be heard over the victorious cheers. We discount and debate the wisdom and experience of these voices, and in quick order throw open the fortress doors and resume the pursuits of our personal lives.

So those of us who have spent most of our lives outside the walls are left to sit and wait for the creatures of the dark forest to become bold once again. Left to wait and watch as the evil approaches the fortress walls to sniff and search, until it's clear to them that we are once again a soft and easy target.

I have watched this cycle occur in America twice in the last 30 years. I have witnessed first hand, the laying down of our swords and shields. I have witnessed the subsequent demonization of the American warrior class by so called "experts". Experts who have never walked the dark wild paths of the forest. Experts who have never experienced the horror and terror of the mindless animalistic fury we call war. Experts who have never looked into the hungry eyes of the people who live outside the fortress.

Our fortress America represents many things to the world. To the men who ordered and carried out Tuesday's attacks, we represent a soft, decadent target of wealth and opportunity. Make no mistake about it. History shows that when the "haves" become soft, the "have nots" strike. Pray now for the men and women of the U.S. Armed forces who, as always, must go outside the walls and fight in the dark forest. This time as in times past, with insufficient equipment and inadequate training. Pray for them as they go forward to protect you and to protect the "experts" who will forever live inside the walls and forever strive to maintain the illusion that the world is not a violent place.

God Bless America

Martin Strong