Congratulations, graduates
A physician in Marion once asked the Ol' Editor "don't you like me?" "No," the OE replied, "I don't personally like you but I think you're a good doctor. I don't come to your office as a social call, but for professional help.
Today we find the United States doing what logically is the right thing — attempting to put an end to a threat of world disaster. But, while most people know that Uncle Sam is doing what's right; none of them seem to "like" us.
A letter from an old Army friend who served in our outfit during World War II (earning a Silver Star for valor, a Bronze Star for meritorious service, a Purple Heart for being wounded, and Belgium's highest award) put it all in perspective. Our friend has civilian credentials, being honored by professional service repeatedly and has earned a national reputation in his field. He's no radical. He is highly intelligent and well informed.
He said the argument seems to be that George Bush is taking the USA on a path not approved by people who "won't like us" for it.
He said he is getting tired of reading and hearing about polls which show that most foreign nations "don't like us."
He said "like" has nothing to do with foreign policy. He thinks "respect" and "fear" are more appropriate.
He's sick of being told by a German that the USA should be a "good neighbor." They won't do their part in the conflict with Iran. "It's kind of nice to see them taking a pass on a war," he said, "I think it's time to bring our boys home from Germany."
Maybe the Germans would "like" us more if they had to pay the bills for their own defense.
France isn't too fond of us either. But they sorta' liked us back on June 6, 1944, when our boys went ashore on the beaches of Normandy. That was WWII, we'd already come to their rescue during WWI.
When Europe couldn't take care of the problem in Bosnia, guess who had to bail them out? They told our boys it would take a year. Gee, but time flies.
The North Koreans don't "like" us either and the South Koreans are none to happy. They liked us better in June of 1950. It took more than 50,000 Americans being killed to give South Korea the lifestyle they now enjoy.
But, who is counting? Surely not the 37,000 young Americans on the DMZ separating the South Koreans from their brothers up north. Maybe if Uncle Sam would leave, they could resort to the good life provided by their northern brothers. Sure. You bet! Would they "like" us then?
Maybe we should build more hospitals, roads, and day care centers — like Osama has done — so the Arab world would love us. Of course, we've already done those things and the Arabs don't even "like" us.
Our friend who earned his credentials in an Infantry line company concludes that he's not in favor of war. "Been there and done that," he said
— BILL MEYER
