FROM THE BARREL OF MY PEN
By Jun Policarpio


2008 AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: HERO V. COWARD

July 4th 2008 should be the most opportune time for us all Americans to consider who between the two presidential candidates, Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama, is the better leader of the most powerful and richest country in the world.

Rivers of American blood have been shed to claim independence from England during the American Revolutionary period and oceans of the same precious blood of our American troops have flowed during the first and second world wars in our fight to protect our independence and liberty from totalitarian regimes.

Our first American patriots did not sacrifice their battle cry: taxation without representation is tyranny. They revolted and fought hard with their precious lives and won American Independence.

Our military and political leaders did not compromise with the enemies of democracy to save the world from dictatorship and tolitarianism then spearheaded by such countries as Germany, Italy, Japan, China, and former Soviet Union. Our country, the United States of America, is the only superpower in the world today committed to promote the spirit of freedom and democracy.

Now, it’s Islamic terrorism that threatens world peace and security. 9/11 is a day to always remember that a small group of Islamic Jihadists burning with hatred toward freedom-loving people can be so destructive. Intelligence reports have identified that Iran has assumed the role as main sponsor of Islamic terrorism following the fall of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Iran’s main strategy, I believe, to counter the spread of democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan initiated by the Bush Administration is to support an anti-war movement in the United States demanding a quick withdrawal of American troops from Iraq and Afghanistan. A retreat and surrender would no doubt hasten the fall of the pro-democracy regimes now in place in both countries.

Put 2 and 2 together and you got 4. In short, Republican Candidate McCain favors a victory in the war against the Islamic terrorists and insurgents whereas Democratic Candidate Obama calls for a withdrawal of our American forces fighting the enemies.

You may now tell me who between the two candidates is the hero and who is the coward.

End