I read the statement from Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly outlining his removal of Captain Brett Crozier from command of the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
Americans are torn between the two sides. Which side is behaving according to the values that made our nation great?
I think the conflict may arise from the ethical standard or moral categories each is applying.
Most of us unknowingly make government and its military a law unto itself … despite the encroachment on property/liberty at home necessary to support an offensively deployed military in 150 countries and the ensuing costs afterwards.
Modly might define “patriotism” as “loyalty to America First.” I define it this way: “loyalty to the ideas upon which our great nation was founded.”
Big difference.
If we use Modly’s ‘American Security’ ethic as our highest value we probably side with him.
If, on the other hand, we attempt to uphold a transcendent ethic which precedes and supersedes “America” dating back to Cicero and Christ ( i.e. laws of nature and Nature’s God) we probably won’t.
Modly seeks peace via force, offensive power. I do not.
Power? All for it. Strong military? Yes, but not immorally deployed at the expense of our soldiers, families, property and loss of freedom here at home (blowback).
Find yourself agreeing with the Secretary of our Navy? Think of Modly’s value system next time you walk through security at the airport and pay your taxes. We can’t have it both ways.
Despite what we’re told, Covid-19 is not the greatest threat facing our nation. I’m with former Joint Chief Admiral Mullen. It’s our debt.
Every departure from our ideals that allows our lawmakers to operate beyond their just jurisdiction is an attack on our pursuit of happiness here at home.
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Eric Andersen is a member of the Central Committee of the San Diego County Republican Party, former Caucus Chair of the 71st Assembly District, Co-Founder of the Republican Liberty Caucus of San Diego County and im2moro.com. He is a former Rock Church Citizen of the Year.