"I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history and naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain."
John Adams, letter to Abigail Adams, 1780"

In our time we have much hand wringing over the number of casualties we have in the "War on Terror". Though our current President refers to it as "Overseas Contingency Operations".

American soldiers dying anywhere in the world is a tragedy. If I had my way none of America's finest would ever have to make the ultimate sacrifice. However freedom isn't free and the founders of this country understood that for us to retain our freedom we had to be willing to fight.

Notice the progression in John Adams thoughts. He must study war, so his sons,would have liberty. Nothing has changed today. We must be willing and able to protect this precious gift of freedom.

This man was willing to fight so that future generations would be able to pursue peaceful interests and would not have to "study war".

Our founding father were willing to fight, in order that their successors could pursue peaceful interests.

As we near the anniversary of the attacks of 9 11 we would all do well to remember that "The tree of Liberty is watered with the blood of patriots".

We have not sought the fight at hand, but now that the battle is joined, we can settle for nothing less than victory. To do otherwise is unworthy of our heritage as Americans.

The Freedomlover.