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Radicalizing the Military

Photo Credit: D’oh Boy (Mark Holloway)There have been few sanctuaries of American values as steadfast as the American armed forces. “Duty, Honor, Country”. “Semper Fidelis”. “Service Before Self”. “Honor, Courage, Commitment”. “This We’ll Defend”. “Semper Paratus”. These are words that denote selfless dedication to a higher calling than the gratification of one’s own desires. The men and women who have served our country in the past, and who serve now, are without a doubt the finest of us. They are the face of America around the world, and we are blessed beyond measure that they serve our country with such grace and courage under the worst of external conditions.

Presently, however, they are under threat from within, and one cannot help but notice that our military is being forced, against centuries of American tradition, morals and example, to become a reflection of the left. This appears to be part of the plan to fundamentally transform the United States, and it carries dire consequences for our long-term survival.

Until recently, the military had seemed able to preserve its traditions and principles against radical outside influences. This was due largely to the fact that members voluntarily surrendered their self-interest. By enlisting, they accepted the limits and code of the service they joined, and implicitly made their individuality secondary to the greater good. When asked after the Civil War to bless a woman’s infant son, Robert E. Lee also told her, “Teach him he must deny himself.”

Now, along with every other aspect of our nation, our armed forces are being radicalized. Political correctness, social experimentation, and religious bigotry are jeopardizing the mission and cohesiveness of the military, and putting the long-term security of our country at risk. The left has happily made the military, which it loathes, a target of liberal social change. In addition to making service uncomfortable for some of those already in the ranks, these changes threaten to discourage those who might otherwise have joined from doing so. In an all-volunteer force, this is predictably fatal.

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The GOP Needs Modernization, Not Moderation

photo credit: donkeyhoteyIf Mitt Romney had lost the election solely because of Ohio, I would be lamenting his lack of a populist appeal. Or, if he had lost Florida narrowly, I might be writing about how Gary Johnson played spolier.

Instead, I’m writing about an identity crisis. Make no mistake, the GOP faces serious challenges going forward. This wasn’t “just a loss.”

But that doesn’t mean the party should sell out its core values, either. In many cases, reinvention means drawing a clearer contrast with liberals. The GOP probably needs to reaffirm some values.

For example, it would make no sense for the GOP to abandon its role as the party of life. It would make no sense for the GOP to abandon its role as the party of individual liberty.

But there must be some reevaluation. It’s time to rethink, “who are we?,” ”what do we believe?” — and “why do we believe it?”

Read more about this story HERE.