Thursday, May 01, 2008

The Churchill Series – May 1, 2008

(One of a series of posts about the life of Winston S. Churchill.)

Readers Note: May 1 was and remains a holiday observed in Europe by decent people in many countries there. They wish no more than a day of rest and relaxation; a "workers' holiday."

But May 1 was also the official holiday of the Bolsheviks and Soviets; the day they celebrated their destructive ideology and displayed their military might. There are still millions of unrepentant communists in Europe (they now call themselves "socialists") who long for the old Red May Day parades and the return of the Soviets.

The Churchill Series today “observes” Red May Day with a repost that appeared in January 2006.

John
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In September 1919, British troops, along with those of other nations, were fighting in Russia. They were attempting to help the Czar armies (The Whites) defeat the Bolshevik armies (The Reds) led by Lenin and Trotsky.

Many in Britain opposed using troops in Russia and demanded they be brought home. They said British troops were fighting the Czar's battle.

Churchill response to those people contained both analysis and prophesy

"It is a delusion to suppose that all this year we have been fighting the battles of the anti-Bolshevik Russians. On the contrary, they have been fighting ours; and this truth will become painfully apparent from the moment that they are exterminated and the Bolshevik armies are supreme over the whole vast territories of the Russian Empire."
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Quote cited in Finest Hour's (Summer, 2003) review of David Carlton's "Churchill and the Soviet Union." (Here and scroll down)

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country can do for you.

As an American, I work, pay taxes, and abide by the laws that allow this country to function as well as it does. As far as I am concerned, nations should provide for their people as fully as the people provide for their nations.

Those who knock socialism as economically inviable have not really looked at European nations. America is a center of wealth...ECONOMIC wealth, that is. Look at where we are falling in other categories, though.

The U.S. is pretty strong, but any strength can be turned into a weakness. If the U.S. is so strong, why can it not provide Universal Health-care (in an effective form, of course)? If the U.S. is so strong, why is the violent crime rate so high? If the U.S. is so strong, why are we unable to provide free higher education to our people?

Don't give me the "God Money" argument that everyone else does. News flash: It's NOT all about money.

I am not anti-capitalist, but I am also not anti-socialist. Socialism, for all those who do not understand the way words work, is different from communism. I might add that communism, in theory, is not a terrible idea in and of itself...it's the way that it is executed that always presents a problem (coughDESPOTISMcough).

JWM said...

To Anon @ 12:41,

On the matters of socialism and socialist, please note I took care in the post to qualify the claims of communists that they're "socialists" by using the quotation marks to indicate my disdain for their claiming to be socialists.

I don't disagree with much that you say.

John

Anonymous said...

Ah, I see. I misunderstood your use of quotes on that one.

As for my post:
It was my intent to express a viewpoint countering an outdated doctrine in the United States. Much like the current incarnation of "Affirmative Action", the United States needs to seriously reconsider its internal policies as well as its external.

Policy does, and probably should, change on a situational basis (sorry for stealing your spotlight here, John, but I think this might be interesting for you). When the statement "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country," was made way-back-when, there was reason to make it. Now, however, the United States has found itself dealing with the problems of an ever-increasing population and (as a still-young nation) is learning what it's all about to be part of the international community.

Although I recognize the current economic problems the US faces, I am glad to see my native land flourishing as it is economically. Unfortunately, I see many social problems arising from current policies and practices that are detrimental to the populace as a whole.

Let me clarify my stance on Affirmative Action: it was established when there was a perceived clear and present need. However, as time has passed, the dated system has caused a number of socio-economic contentions. Racial and gender-based quotas are notable instances of "reverse-discrimination" in institutions. It is my personal dream that, one day, this country will rise above its prejudices and employ people based on merit and nothing else while, at the same time, not nullifying the significance of cultural identity. Seeing the boxes labeled "RACE" and "SEX" disappearing from employment applications might very well be a step in the right direction.

I digress, though.

The United States needs to make some decisions regarding its priorities right now, and I hope that whoever is elected President is willing to lead this country in a beneficial direction.

Do we prioritize foreign affairs before our own? At home, what is more important: schools or prisons? Overseas how do we want to be perceived: as an expansionist force or simply as a benevolent ally? Surely not everyone will love us, but at least we can strive to play a part in efforts toward world peace.

Pardon my ramblings, I should head to the gym now. Good day to you and all your readers.