Part 2: We stand on guard for thee

As a matter of fact, I’ve been around many of your various United States. It’s a very nice country - quaint, really - and I’ve travelled a fair bit elsewhere, too. So, you might say that I know a thing or two about a thing or two.

I'm in Atlanta now and it’s warm here, which is certainly nice for a frozen Canuck like me (you know that’s what we Canadians call ourselves, eh?).

Giving credit where credit is due

By the way, it annoys me to no end when people in other countries constantly put you guys down. After all, who else in the world goes around trying to spread freedom, good will and prosperity?

Most nations have enough trouble with their own problems and don’t want to be bothered helping others (with the exception of Canada, naturally). Of course, it would be nice if y’all didn’t expect everybody else to behave just like you, but that’s a topic of conversation best saved for another day.

To be sure, other western countries have done their part, too … but none as consistently as this one. There is a palpable sense of pride in this strong military tradition and in those who have so valiantly served.

I can relate to that - my dad was a spy for the Allies in the Second World War. So, although I’ve never served myself, I’ve always tried to live up to the inspiring role model that he provided. In a way, that’s what Americans do as a nation.

Compassion

When asked recently, “What is the best religion?” the Dalai Lama responded:

“The best religion is the one that gets you closer to God. It is the one that makes you a better person. Whatever makes you more compassionate, more sensible, more detached, more loving, more humanitarian, more responsible, more ethical. The religion that will do that for you is the best religion.”

We can’t make everyone the same as us, but we can lead by example – we can insist that people everywhere treat each other with respect and kindness. Since establishing itself as a world power, America has sometimes suffered from an exaggerated sense of its own self importance.

Thus it has acquired a reputation for arrogance. This ia an attitude which causes Americans to feel hurt and surprised, since this country has diligently strived to ensure that ethical guidelines are set and respected throughout the world.

Indeed, there is no better example of this than the way in which this country behaved following victory in the last world war.

A national example of how to be magnanimous

When much of the developed world lay in ruins, America could have been pompous and exploited its advantage, which was gained partly due to being geographically remote and thus isolated from the fighting. Instead, this country spawned the Marshall Plan, a very generous financial package that was designed to bring everybody back to a “level playing field”.

Sure, it could be argued that this was necessary to sustain the domestic economy, by ensuring the existence of viable trading partners. The same people will argue that the West liberated Kuwait and Kosovo out of self-interest. Tell that to the people who were freed by these actions, which were initially inspired by America.

Ultimately others have since carried the ball in this game, as witnessed by the way that France and Britain spearheaded the recent efforts to oust Ghaddafi in Libya.  The perceived success or failure of these missions is not really what matters – rather, the true point is the inspiration to do good, to lead the way by example and to walk in the path if God.

Mahatma Ghandi did it. Nelson Mandela did it. Countless others have sacrificed their lives and limbs in the name of freedom. Soldiers from America, Canada and other nations are now gradually returning from Afghanistan, after a bitter ten-year battle against terrorism.

Regardless of what ultimately happens to that nation of perpetual strife, we are compelled to honour the courage, discipline and determination of our armed forces. The world is watching and we must honour the traditions that shaped us as freedom-loving people.

Consider the Canadian national anthem, which includes the following powerful and inspiring line “We stand on guard for thee - God keep our land glorious and free”. It seems like we can all do with a little more of that spirit, eh?

   

Rise up and show the way

Your nation is hurting, Atlanta. In recent history, America has often been down, but never out. Many people in the rest of the world love to see America fall and, each time that it happens, some of them gleefully hope that she will never rise again.

You know better - your country always bounces back.

Yet each time, someone needs to lead the way. Maybe this time you can serve as that inspiration to your nation. Show them what America is made of - faith, tolerance, courage, humility, discipline and determination.