I was overjoyed at yesterdays news that Captain Phillips, who gave himself to despicable pirates in exchange for the safety of his crew and vessel, had been rescued by Navy Seals who also killed his captors. Our nation could not give into these thieves without risking future security and the heroic actions of Captain Phillips made a simple truth all the more clear, he could not be left behind.
Despite the loathing of many who reject democracy, capitalism and the core values of our constitution and Republic, our nation has always stood, even in our darkest days, as a beacon of light to guide the world. While there are many villains around our globe, some of whom live in our very nation, the majority of Americans more often than not rise to any occasion ignoring risk for the pursuit of a higher cause.
When human beings are allowed self-determination and self-rule, some will choose greed, gluttony and suffering. Yet many, when faced with terror and tyranny, will rise to the occasion. On 9/11 firefighters, police officers and average American citizens did not run away from the epicenter of cowardly attacks on our nation, they ran toward it in order to save lives at the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. On flight 93 a Democratic action was taken and with the votes tallied the crew formed an insurrection in order to stop what would have been a fourth strike, possibly on the US Capitol, that could have killed hundreds or thousands more.
Not long ago an able pilot named Sully Sullenberger saved the passengers of flight 1549 by mounting a daring emergency landing into the Hudson river. River boats came to their rescue and not a single life was lost.
We have endless stories, Chad Lindsey jumping onto a subway rail to save a life, countless American doctors and nurses and emergency medical technicians whose everyday job puts them at great risk give all to save their patients, American scientists work to feed hunger and advance our world, American soldiers put their lives on the line to save nations and defend freedom, they build schools and liberate people from tyranny.
What we saw yesterday was not unique to the American spirit but it was an action to celebrate regardless.
The people of the United States of America are more than any temporary steward of the Oval Office or a seat in Congress; we are more than those few who would do wrong but seem to occupy so much of our attention. We are a great and giving people who have illuminated the world in the ideals of self-governance and individual liberty and while there are temporary lapses in our critical thinking or our respect for the purpose of our great nation, in the sum total of a long road of history we have always walked a path toward righteousness and the greater good.
God bless Captain Phillips and his crew, God bless the Navy Seals and the commanders who executed this plan, God bless the USA.
