'Live By The Sword'

A couple nights ago, a male friend and I were watching "Last Samurai" (starring Tom Cruise) randomly blurting out when thoughts came to us. Being that the last time I had seen it was way back when I was an immature and wee lad (well...more of one than I am currently). My brain, then, focused on the historical depiction of post-civil war weaponry and tactics while picking apart the fallacies of the director's depiction of both hosts hostile interaction. I love Japanese history, early politics, the endless possible analysis of Japanese isolation, and the Samurai but I do think, as I mentioned to my friend, that the warrior-culture of Japan made and possibly makes it wise to limit their military and act as their defense forces.

"They really do have a warrior culture, don't they" I remarked across the room; his reply was "Doesn't America also?" The comment sparked a couple seconds of thought where I came to the conclusion that yes, America does have a warrior culture.

Unlike the Japanese and the European Imperial powers that instructed its early leaders, America's war culture is based upon the principle of the Militia. Japan's Samurai were once granted, by the emperor, the right to be the only armed force in Japan. Parallel to this 'right', we, as Americans, are guaranteed a "well-regulated militia" to defend us. There's naturally some fudging to be done when referencing the two as one; but while the samurai could execute civilians for disrespect, the militia were/are civilians. This difference has caused us to understand the cost of war.

I think it was Reagan (it's too late to find the correct quote) that said something to the effect of: "Wars happen when governments underestimate the cost of conflict." This is and will remain forever true. America's militia culture had put us, until the end of the Cold War, on the defensive. We never really followed the Churchillian doctrine of "Free people help others become free." Perhaps our warrior-militia culture told us others had to get their own freedom.

I don't want you to think I'm railing against the Bush administration. Bush's "nation building" initiative was followed by 90% or so of Congress 'way back a few years ago' because this country has lost the principles that are the answer. It is the prevailing political wind in Washington to extend our wealth and resources against the wishes of George Washington's ghost.

It happened to the Brits: they figured that God had blessed them and that they could bless the world. The Brits ended up losing a lot of money and a lot of lives (sounds like Iraq?) and eventually lost their power. Many have discussed it but none have spoken of the warrior-militia culture being lost in this country. Peace through strength...not the expression of strength. Like Sweden in WW2: if we all owned guns, aggressors wouldn't invade us due to their own fear.

America needs to revert back to defense-based fighting. We must lose, though it may be painful, the "revolutionary" rhetoric and actions in our foreign policy. America must conserve freedom at home and abroad for freedom spreads naturally: others will free themselves in due time. We should nurture and help grow the pockets of freedom in the gloom of oppressed nations. There must be a will of freedom to hold on to in order to spread it: we cannot create that will to freedom.