It was not our military, good as it is, that kept us safe for so many long years. Nor was it our oceans, wide as they are, that kept any enemies away. Our refuge was the only safe harbor that can ever be. It was the respect and honor of the rest of the world.
Even though we had become money-grubbing tricksters when it came to commerce, other people felt that was just our way. Deep down they knew they could trust us to do what was right when it would make a difference, and we were really their friend.
We could send our emissaries where no one else could even send troops. We could always find a way to help anybody. We cared about people, ordinary individuals, and we really did want to help them. We were the world's friend.
We were religion-neutral. We were welcomed in Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, and Moslem cultures, and trusted by them to help in ways that were peculiar to America.
They didn't fear us. That was the big thing. They knew we COULD step on them and that would be it, but they also knew we wouldn’t ever do it.
Now our leaders want the world to fear us. And the world does fear us for we are mad. And I don't mean angry, I mean insane. Our great light has been extinguished, and our leaders want to replace it with a great fire that if lighted will consume the world.
©John Womack, 2006. All Rights Reserved
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