united we stand
Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all, by uniting we stand, by dividing we fall; in so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed, for heaven approves of each generous deed.---John Dickinson, The Liberty Song, 1768
I think Americans today could probably relate to the national mood in July of 1942. U.S. troops, in the months following Pearl Harbor, had suffered tremendous losses in the Pacific, particularly on Bataan and Corregidor. Morale on the home front was low and people were afraid. The sale of war bonds had dropped dramatically. Although some industries had grown due to war production, other industries were losing ground. One of those suffering industries was the publishing business, due to material shortages and restrictions. Out of this turmoil, fear and uncertainty came a collaboration that 21st Century America could learn a lesson from.
The U.S. Treasury Dept. and the National Publishers Association joined together to organize the United We Stand Campaign for the month of July, 1942. The NPA circulated flyers as a call to "patriotic action by the magazines of America". The flyers outlined the goal of the campaign, which was to promote national unity. Their request to the magazines was for all of those magazines to feature pictures of the American flag on their covers. The NPA also suggested, on the behalf of the Treasury Dept., that the covers also carry a message asking Americans to buy war bonds. Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau Jr. said, on July 1, 1942, "America asks you to save; to Save To Win The War; to buy War Bonds and Stamps....Is Liberty worth it? Is Democracy worth it? I think I know your answer." The campaign boosted morale at home, it saved the magazine business by increasing their sales, and war bond sales greatly increased. You can view a gallery of the magazine covers by going to http://americanhistory.si.edu/1942/gallery/index.html.
As I read about the United We Stand Campaign, a few questions banged around in my head. First, the U.S. has lost almost 3000 troops in Iraq since the war started (that's 31 months). From December of 1941 (Pearl Harbor) through May of 1942 (that's just 5 months) 2500 Americans were killed in action during the Battle of the Philippines. Another 10,000 POW's died/were killed during the Bataan Death March. How dare we whine about the limited number of casualties we have suffered while fighting Islamofacism in Iraq!
Second, can any clear thinking American possibly imagine our Drive-By Media doing anything today to support our troops and help the war effort? The Big Three TV news outfits frothed like rabid dogs when FOX News reporters wore American Flag lapel pins on the air, stating that it made FOX News appear "biased" against the "freedom fighters" (heathen, maniacal, terrorist thugs might have been a more appropriate description). The NY Times has committed treason by revealing classified, ongoing covert operations. It ain't 1942 anymore!
Third, can you imagine the hullabaloo we would hear from the "Gosh I Hope We Lose!" liberals in this country if the Treasury Dept. attempted to solicit support from the media for the war effort? They would be camped outside the White House screaming for impeachment!
We live in far different times today, as compared to 64 years ago, and not all of the differences are good.
I think Americans today could probably relate to the national mood in July of 1942. U.S. troops, in the months following Pearl Harbor, had suffered tremendous losses in the Pacific, particularly on Bataan and Corregidor. Morale on the home front was low and people were afraid. The sale of war bonds had dropped dramatically. Although some industries had grown due to war production, other industries were losing ground. One of those suffering industries was the publishing business, due to material shortages and restrictions. Out of this turmoil, fear and uncertainty came a collaboration that 21st Century America could learn a lesson from.
The U.S. Treasury Dept. and the National Publishers Association joined together to organize the United We Stand Campaign for the month of July, 1942. The NPA circulated flyers as a call to "patriotic action by the magazines of America". The flyers outlined the goal of the campaign, which was to promote national unity. Their request to the magazines was for all of those magazines to feature pictures of the American flag on their covers. The NPA also suggested, on the behalf of the Treasury Dept., that the covers also carry a message asking Americans to buy war bonds. Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau Jr. said, on July 1, 1942, "America asks you to save; to Save To Win The War; to buy War Bonds and Stamps....Is Liberty worth it? Is Democracy worth it? I think I know your answer." The campaign boosted morale at home, it saved the magazine business by increasing their sales, and war bond sales greatly increased. You can view a gallery of the magazine covers by going to http://americanhistory.si.edu/1942/gallery/index.html.
As I read about the United We Stand Campaign, a few questions banged around in my head. First, the U.S. has lost almost 3000 troops in Iraq since the war started (that's 31 months). From December of 1941 (Pearl Harbor) through May of 1942 (that's just 5 months) 2500 Americans were killed in action during the Battle of the Philippines. Another 10,000 POW's died/were killed during the Bataan Death March. How dare we whine about the limited number of casualties we have suffered while fighting Islamofacism in Iraq!
Second, can any clear thinking American possibly imagine our Drive-By Media doing anything today to support our troops and help the war effort? The Big Three TV news outfits frothed like rabid dogs when FOX News reporters wore American Flag lapel pins on the air, stating that it made FOX News appear "biased" against the "freedom fighters" (heathen, maniacal, terrorist thugs might have been a more appropriate description). The NY Times has committed treason by revealing classified, ongoing covert operations. It ain't 1942 anymore!
Third, can you imagine the hullabaloo we would hear from the "Gosh I Hope We Lose!" liberals in this country if the Treasury Dept. attempted to solicit support from the media for the war effort? They would be camped outside the White House screaming for impeachment!
We live in far different times today, as compared to 64 years ago, and not all of the differences are good.
posted by hondo at 8:11 PM
2 Comments:
Hondo
You make numerous references to our founding fathers, who were faced with an incredibly difficult decision...to be a patriot or to be a loyalist. Americans throughout our brief history have continued to ask themselves this very question. Which are you? Patriot or Loyalist? Make no mistake, they are not the same!
I am a patriot. To my way of thinking, a patriot is a person who is loyal to the Christian conservative principles that serve as the foundation of our great country. The historical evidence is beyond dispute. Our Founding Fathers were Christians who believed that our country would function best if we the people held firm to Christian principles. The governmental principles found in the Constitution are decidedly conservative. That's why liberals constantly fight against an originalist interpretation of the Constitution.
Post a Comment
<< Home