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Oliver North
Oliver North
10 May 2013
Cover-up

WASHINGTON — We all know about the notorious Obama "kill list." CIA Director John Brennan … Read More.

3 May 2013
Being Presidential

WASHINGTON — On April 30, 1789, at Federal Hall in New York, George Washington took the oath of office … Read More.

26 Apr 2013
Aftermath

WASHINGTON — More than 2,500 years ago, Sun Tzu wrote "The Art of War." In it, the Chinese … Read More.

Looking at the Future

Comment

LEESBURG, Va. — The experts tell us that newborn infants like Sarah Jane cannot really distinguish what's before them when they open their eyes. These same experts also say the little smile I see on her tiny lips is just a sign she needs to be burped. Maybe.

I choose to think our beautiful little (6 pounds, 8 ounces, 19 inches long) newborn grandchild really can see me — and is smiling at her granddad. I really don't know, of course, but I do know I'm looking at the future. And someday, God willing, Sarah Jane will pull this column out of an old album and smile at her grandfather's unfounded concerns for her prospects.

So, Sarah Jane, here is a quick recap of what happened this week — in the days before and since you were born — and why I pray so hard for you, your four siblings and your seven cousins:

Shortly before you arrived — early (what a wonderful surprise) — I was in Arizona with our Fox News team documenting an invasion across our southern border. Instead of helping to defend our country from Mexican cartels engaged in kidnapping, drug smuggling and human trafficking, our president brought a federal lawsuit against the state of Arizona. Though he's supposed to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, he evidently doesn't understand the second clause of Article 3, Section 2: "In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction."

Sarah Jane, when you can read, I'll give you a copy of that magnificent document your dad and I took an oath to support and defend. And when you are old enough, I'll teach you to shoot and safely handle a firearm. You will need to know how.

On Tuesday morning, the day you were born, I had a doctor's appointment to check on my progress in treatment for prostate cancer. The doctors who care for me are really good, and I'm doing fine. But it also turns out that under the new health care reform law, I probably won't be eligible for the treatment. It's not that I'm not worthy — just too old. I hope your mom and dad never will be "too old" for medical care.

That afternoon, when your mom astounded your dad by announcing it was time to go to Loudoun Hospital Center, your grandmother "Nan" and I were in a meeting with our attorney, a financial planner and accountants.

We were trying to figure out how we can preserve some of what we have worked so hard for so that you, your brothers and sisters and your cousins can benefit from it.

Regrettably, most of our elected officials want the federal government to inherit what we have built instead of you and your generation. The folks in Washington do not seem to know that most of us work hard so our children and grandchildren will have greater opportunities than we had. Perhaps we can start fixing this problem when we go to the polls in November.

As you were being born, our president was in the Oval Office at the White House giving a speech to the American people — his second since he's been there. You and your mom were busy and couldn't listen. You didn't miss much.

His 19-minute speech was supposed to be about the end of combat operations in Iraq, but that was false advertising. Instead, Mr. Obama talked about nearly everything else under the sun. He was kind enough to mention his predecessor, President George W. Bush, and thanked our brave troops and their families for the sacrifices they made in Mesopotamia. But sadly, he couldn't keep from blaming Mr. Bush for the war, our currently deplorable economy or the 9.5 percent unemployment rate.

When you are able to vote, please try to do better. Encourage your friends to cast their ballots for a president who knows who our enemies are. Vote for a person who is unafraid to define victory in war and offer realistic goals for peace. Elect a head of state who won't bow to foreign potentates, apologize for our country or send our troops off to fight while simultaneously setting a date for withdrawing them.

Sarah Jane, I know this is a pretty full plate for someone so young and small. The good news is that you were born this week in a land that has been blessed with bounty beyond measure, in a country with the most diverse, prosperous and generous population on earth. Your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all know their Lord and Savior — and are unafraid to sing his praises. That's a pretty good start on a bright future. Meanwhile, I will keep praying.

Oliver North is the host of "War Stories" on Fox News Channel, the founder and honorary chairman of Freedom Alliance, and the author of "American Heroes." To find out more about Oliver North and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2010 CREATORS.COM



Comments

5 Comments | Post Comment
By the time she is old enough to vote, it will become apparent what of grandpa's observations have a smidgen of wisdom and which are tea bag fantasy. His advice about voting for a president who knows who our enemies is valid. The previous president got us into a war with a country that had noting to do with 9/11, did not attack us, did not have the weapons of mass destruction, etc. This war has killed killed 4,500 of our young patriots, wounded 35,000, killed 100,000 Iraqi citizens, destroyed our moral authority, handed the control of Iraq to the allies of Iran, etc, etc. This war was an illegal war of choice that his foolish ego got us into. A distinction that seems lost on her grandpa who apparently believes that a GOP president can do no wrong. ("But sadly, he couldn't keep from blaming Mr. Bush for the war..." Mr. North, who the hell else is to blame for this foolish war of choice?) Hopefully, the populace will have matured beyond Mr. North's simple minded demagoguery by the time she is old enough to vote.
Comment: #1
Posted by: Mark
Fri Sep 3, 2010 10:28 PM
Re: Mark
You are so unfortunately and apparently ignorant that it actually is sad and certainly is not funny. Please refrain from spouting your ignorance in public and, while you're at it, from imposing your ignorance on others by voting.
Comment: #2
Posted by: Helen
Tue Sep 7, 2010 6:25 AM
Helen,
Don't shoot the messenger. Your anger is understandable, if misdirected. I am always open to other points of view. Perhaps you could tell me what specific items in my reply to Mr. North's column you find ignorant? Did the war in Iraq turn out anything like you thought it would when be invaded in 2003? Sadly, I find that it turned out pretty much like I thought it would. (I am not alone. Read Pat Buchanan's recent column if you want a true conservative take on it: http://www.creators.com/opinion/pat-buchanan/the-cakewalk-war.html )
I find, however, that suggesting that others not vote, because they think in ways that you find objectionable, to be un-American. To vote is the highest duty of a citizen and leaving the voting to others is how freedom is lost. I believe that those who voted for the foolish little man from Texas were ignorant to how much damage he could and would do to our nation, but I would never suggest that they leaving the voting to some elite who happens to agree with me. We must always be vigilant to protect our freedom. Stay informed, speak up, and vote freedom, not false security.
Comment: #3
Posted by: Mark
Tue Sep 7, 2010 8:15 PM
Mark Twain once said, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." Mark has removed all doubt.

Comment: #4
Posted by: Thomas McLoughlin
Thu Sep 9, 2010 7:37 AM
Thomas, like Helen, is awfully short on specifics. Could it be that the facts don't match their beliefs? Name calling is easy, facts are a bit tougher. "Loyalty to petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul." Mark Twain
Comment: #5
Posted by: Mark
Thu Sep 9, 2010 9:42 AM
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