Through the Misty Dawn - Editorial

Nothing I know of is more frustrating than to read of the continuing death and destruction in Iraq. One hopes there is an end to it when there is not. For many of us there is a compelling factor in our minds that urges us to seek a solution to those problems. My own thoughts have ranged from strategic positioning of cameras to helicopters and on to permanent curfews at night.  It grows easier to be dissatisfied as the conflict continues, on and on, day after day, month after month and year after year.

Obviously we have failed to discourage the enemy. We have failed also to adequately inform the enemy of our purpose, a purpose that confronts an intolerable doctrine that threatens the very existence of freedom around the world. A purpose that remembers those that gave their lives that we could live in the glowing sunlight of freedom and democracy. We wish to continue without fear of the despot or tyrants that previously and ruthlessly ruled the world.

We do not hate the enemy, we fear the enemy. Terrorists have inspired our military response.  We did not choose a military response, rather we had little choice unless we were to be intimidated and cower in our fear. Terrorism can appear for centuries to come if it is not defeated soundly in our times. We must gather our resources without limits and learn how to ferret out those that would destroy us and the hard won freedom that we live within. The matter is as simple as the one thing we all agree on, "The right to bear arms." We bear arms to defend what is inherently ours. We accept the call to arms for precisely the same reason.

There are critics of our purpose who have not the stamina required for the battle we face. Critics abound in many areas of our lives. Sometimes we need to remember  that critics have their gross limitations (knowledge and information). This morning I went to that subject to see what has been written about those that second guess and opinionate. Several quotations seem to put the matter into a proper perspective.

Here is perhaps the best of the rest:

"Critics are biased and so are readers. But intelligent readers soon discover how toallow for the windage of their own and a critics prejudices."

                                                Whitney Balliett

Contrare, of course all critics are not bad. Some are called to a sense of duty, well respected.

"The factor in human life provocative of a noble discontent is the gradual emergence of a sense of criticism, founded upon the appreciation of beauty and of intellectual distinction, and of duty."

                                                 Alfred North Whitehead

From my own experience as a composer of symphony, I very much liked the next quotation. How true it is and regrettably how appropriate to those that criticize our embattled self defense against annihilation.

"A critic is a man who knows the way but cannot drive the car."

                                              Kenneth Tynan

I conclude by remembering the great responsibility and burden I felt at writing my first editorial. I quickly realized how limited my knowledge was of the subject. But I had to write something and did the best I could. My point is that on any given subject there are opinions and prejudices. There is knowledge and lack of knowledge or deficiencies. Terrorism is a very ugly way to achieve a stated goal or objective. Centuries have taught our forefathers that lesson most assuredly. I cannot imagine a battlefield that did not have apprehensive combatants. Nor a homeland that did not tire of the ongoing conflict.  Personally I enjoy being an ardent and passionate critic in my editorial writing experience. My only suggestion is that critics devote more time to constructive criticism.

This nations greatest resource is it's people. We should put our minds to the task of evolving a way to clearly enunciate and convince our enemies that their way, the "old way" merely leads from one conflict to the next as history proves. Democracy is to be protected and is obviously best because it allows critics to continue with their "opinionating".

Richard Englefield

www.symphonybyenglefield.com

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• #1 Comment from derasta 
  6/16/06 12:15 PM | Permalink

  Hello my friend! I'm so happy to have found your journal, I love it...I enjoyed all of your pictures too.  :)
  
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