[jpsb]

[What a price we pay for civilian control over the military. But in a democracy, there is no other alternative.]

You are correct, there is no other way. but this nation pays a dear price for the fools that it elects to the position of CIC. Well at least Bush for all his faults is a good CIC.

I very much dislike this idea that MacAuthor should be judged solely by his mistakes by not giving him credit for his achievements. I am going to go to my library and look up what Winston Churhhill had to say about MacAuthor. It was quite an accolade (sp) as I recall.

[risk]

Nothing speaks more strongly of MacArthur's character than his willingness to resign on demand. Other generals in his position in history could have led a successful junta. After all, President Truman was demanding something much less than victory for the first time in our history.

If MacArthur had told his men that President Truman threatened the Republic's security, I doubt if many of them would have left his side.

But MacArthur had the courage of his convictions. He stepped down to prove that he had always been fighting for democracy. He alludes to the hissing, faithless, and spineless decades ahead in this speech, and yet he holds his head high. He has faith in the American spirit, in human strength. Free men, no matter how few they may be, will always triumph over the weaker, unprincipled ones.

We have more of those days when patriots must weigh their commitments to democracy and security ahead.