(Via Instapundit)

Citizen Smash, along with Greyhawk and Blackfive rightfully take Sanford’s David Kennedy to task for his ignorant comments labeling today’s military men and women “Hessian” mercenaries due to the many financial benefits that the U.S. uses to try to better support and compensate their many sacrifices.

Smash suggests that Mr. Kennedy get out and get to know some of our military, which would quickly dispel many of the prejudices and biased stereotypes upon which he clearly makes many of his judgments.

I too have a suggestion for those on the left and our "intellectual" elites who still cling to the artifacts of ignorance about the military reflected in Kennedy’s remarks.

Rather than rely parasitically on those patriots who serve so that you won't need to, how about viewing a stint in the military as a civic obligation?

As Greyhawk proudly announces as a banner over at Mudville Gazette, "Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

It is the height of hypocrisy -- and perhaps reflective of an inner cowardice -- to assume that one can live in total liberty and freedom without ever making any sacrifice towards its preservation.

How sad that political orientation against the current administration, and the animosity that breeds, condemn the left to take such a blind opposition against any reasonable effort against the worldwide scourge of Islamic terrorism.

As Lincoln said during what had been the gravest crisis in our history:

"Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation."

In later years, many of those arrayed against us will come to regret that they did not have heart nor courage to support us, let alone join us in our struggle.

UPDATE:

From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

St. Crispen's Day Speech, Shakespeare's HENRY V, C. 1599

UPDATE:

John at Blogotional kindly links to my post, and pays me a very flattering (and somewhat exaggerated) compliment. He asks a fine question though:

What have you done to preserve your liberty and freedom today?

(Served Southern Style as a Covered Dish over at Basil's Blog. Swing by and check out the eats!)