The American Spectator

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Reflecting on Genuflection

7.21.06 @ 12:01AM

BLESSED ARE THE HUMBLE
Re: Ben Stein's A Precious Morning:

Thank you for your wonderful column, I feel the same about our soldiers.

I just wonder what has happened to Hollywood. I remember wonderful movies like Exodus and The Pawnbroker, amazingly patriotic stars and studios that loved their country and fought for the underdog. What happened to "Never Again"? With Hollywood, the MSM and the Democratic Party, I don't know if we can win this war and worry about the future of my children and grandchildren.

Thank you for all you do.
-- Yvonne

Ben, you're a treasure. I've never heard of, or read about, Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Jim Rogers, etc., experiencing such genuflection. And, this is not the first time. You've shared these moments with us several times before. And, while I take your point to heart and action, and I'm deeply moved by this demonstration of your fine character, I'm concerned that you may be beating yourself up, which is not so good. We do not help those risking their lives for our sake, by nurturing guilt in our own lives. Their sacrifice is in vain if we lose our own souls over it. Thanksgiving, gratefulness, yes, for our own consciences, but joy and a reaffirmation of freedom are what honor them most.

When they come home, even if they are not whole, what will they most want to see in our faces? Love, thanksgiving, sure, but let's not forget, confirmation. Confirmation that that they did was worth all their efforts. Knowing they finished the task they set out to do, and confirmation from us that it was worth doing. This is their peace and we can give it to them. Rejection for all they've done would be unthinkable, for that is what some will do whose bitterness knows no bounds.

Be thankful Ben, and keep encouraging us, with your honest heart, to be humble and get our priorities straight, but remember to keep perspective for their sakes. When their demons come in the night, and they will come, let us have the courage to give them the greatest gift of all, peace in their souls for daring to call evil for what it is, and to confront it face to face.
-- Mike Showalter
Austin, Texas

"I was thrown to my knees to pray to God to thank Him for sending these magnificent men and women who put their lives on the line and my own trivial nothings into perspective."

We pray to him as well Ben.

Support Our Troops AND Their Mission!
-- P. Aaron Jones
Huntington Woods, Michigan

Ben is a National treasure. I love his work, wit and patriotism. Don't ever let him leave.
-- Rich Settimo, LTC U.S. Army, retired

GETTING SYRIOUS
Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.'s They Asked for It:

I am waiting for the day when George W. Bush steps to a microphone to say:

"Good evening America, and also to the people of the nations of Syria and Iran. Today our military suffered a technical glitch which sent a few of our armed missiles into the homes of Syrian president Assad and some Iranian mullahs. Fortunately, these 'errant' warheads were armed with only conventional explosives and not 'noookleer' munitions, which would have taken the entire region down as well thousands of your people. For those citizens hurt or killed we're sorry.

"As you may know, occasionally, even the best deterrents sometimes need testing and well, the testing is 'hard work.' If you don't believe us, ask North Korea. We 'really tried' to target them elsewhere but, that's the breaks. The United Nations has informed us that they will be along anytime now with rescue personnel and rebuilding supplies. Missile technology is 'hard work,' it really is. Ask the North Koreans if they think accurate missile technology isn't 'hard work.'

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Bill Clinton, Mainstream Media, Business, Sports, Abortion, Hollywood, Movies, Law, Military, Iraq, Iran, Israel, United Nations, NATO, North Korea, Oil