I thought this story well worth posting again. I think its important that we be reminded that there is greatness in the overall scheme of things. There is greatness as well in the natural order of things, when it is allowed to play out...well, natuarally. The liberal mentality of political correctness has magnified pettiness exponentially, to the point where many of our younger people have never seen a clear line drawn between good and evil. They have no idea what greatness looks like, no idea what a hero looks like, no idea what a real man looks like...or a real woman for that matter. All that changed September 11. We have been a country without a leader until 9 months ago. A leader could have averted this crisis. It has fallen to a leader to remedy it. I would like to take Ms. Noonan's analogy from the big screen to the living room. Everybody knows Andy Griffith. Well, I would suggest that we've had Barney Phyfe (sp?) in the White House for 8 years, and finally Andy's back. And so are manly men. I for one am very thankful.

I love Peggy Noonan's work: both her thoughts and the way she expresses them. She is factual but has a warmth behind her work that is both touching and at times inspirational. She is a treasure.

I have read this before, but thanks for posting.

Barney Fife was a decent person with a good heart. You owe him an apology. The previous occupant of the oval office is an evil person with no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

What a sexy woman. Peggy, if both of us weren't married, I'd give up my seat to you on a bus any time.

No slight to Barney was intended. Just the idea that he was a nervous wannabe who bungled everything he touched trying to live out his fantasies, in stark contrast to the calmer, more level headed Andy. Sorry Barney.

You're own thoughts on this topic are wonderful; right on the money.

But I agree with Smedley, don't pick on Barney.

:-)

I agree with what Mrs. Noonan has said. We need to bring back masculinity, and we must do it with more than cheers for a few firemen and construction workers. The men of United Flight 93 must always be remembered and honored for their bravery. They fought the first battle of our war against terrorism, and they won. (See Already Started.) By their actions, they saved the lives of hundreds or maybe thousands of other Americans.

However, they didn't begin that fight until the terrorists had already taken control of the cockpit of their plane. I don't blame them for not taking action sooner just as I don't blame those in the other planes for not taking action at all. However, if they had started the fight as soon as the terrorists started their attack, they might be alive today. If they had beaten the terrorists before the terrorists took control of the cockpit, the plane might have landed safely at Pittsburgh. They would be nursing some serious injuries. A few might have been killed, but most of those people would be alive.

We are all conditioned in modern American society to be passive in the face of evil. We are conditioned to sit quietly and let "proper authorities" handle everything. Everything from our news reports, to talk shows, to shows like "COPS" and "America's Most Wanted" say that we shouldn't try to resist evil. People who injure a burglar trying to rob them can be sued by the burglar or his family. For many people, it is less expensive to be a passive victim. This conditioning is the opposite of the masculinity that the article praises.

If we really want to see a return of masculinity, we must change what we reward and what we punish. We must applaud those who stand strongly against evil and avoid applauding those who are passive. If we really make these changes in our society, then we will truly bring back the Duke.

WFTR
America's War Options.
Bill