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Show J Feature SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY APRIL 7. 1999 An American Patriot ihelff hesitant to impose to detect, more insidious: decamoral dence, cynicism, and boredom. istration. Now, whenever I make upon ourselves a common own we our want code because Which brings us back to Bill criticiza comment these days modern allergy Clinton. ...Our most exalted by William J. Bennett, ing Bill Clinton, someone inevi- exemption. This of leader, a man who once proudly and to America standards, judgments Empower tably asks, Arent you casting toward the boasted that he would head the stones? It shows how far we which attitudes Quoted from Imprimis, have fallen that callingupon the Clinton scandals are but a mani- most ethical administration in December, 1998 to mind The modem age brings President of the United States festation, is deeply problematic, history, is now saying to AmeriChristian apologist C.S. Lewiss to account for charges of adul- for a defining mark of a good can people, in effect, My politichilling words in The Abolition tery, lying to the public, perjury, republic is precisely the willing- cal enemies are to blame for all ofMan: We make men without and obstruction of justice is re- ness to make judgments about the scandals that surround me. I have nothing more to say. The chests and expect of them virtue garded as akin to stoning. things that matter. do In America, we not defer to rules dont apply to me. There and enterprise. We laugh at It is also an example of what honor and are shocked to find sociologist Alan Wolfe refers to kings, cardinals, or aristocrats; are no consequences to my actraitors in our midst. as Americas new 11th Com- we rely instead on the peoples tions. Its irrelevant. My private America is the greatest nation mandment: Thou shaft not capacity to make reasonable life has nothing to do with my in the history of the world-th- e judge. InOne Nation After All, judgments based on moral prin- public life. My only responsibilciples. Our form of government ity is to do the peoples business. richest, most powerful, most Wolfe writes, Middle-clas- s And most This is moral bankruptcy, and Americans are reluctant to pass requires of us not moral perfecenvied, consequential. yet, America is the same nation judgement on how other people tion but modest virtues and ad- it is damaging our country, our that leads the industrialized act and think. Of course, all of herence to some standards! standards, and our Those who constantly invoke It is also jeopardizing the future world in rates of murder, violent us are in favor of tolerance and the sentiment of Who are we to of the next generation of moral But the crime, imprisonment, divorce, forgiveness. penabortion, sexually transmitted dulum has swung too far in the judge? should consider the an- can leaders. A year ago, I delivhousedirection of relativism. If a na- archy that would ensue if we ered an address at the U.S. Nadiseases, single-pareconteen tion of free people can no longer adhered to this sentiment in, val Academy in which I told the holds, suicide, cocaine sumption, and pornography pro- make pronouncements on fun- say, our courtrooms. What would Annapolis cadets that I was well duction and consumption. damental matters of right and happen if those sitting on a jury aware ofthe fact that even among America is a place of heroes, wrong-fo- r example, that a mar- decided to be nonjudgmental their ranks among the militarys n harassand about sexual commander-iand d 50 honor, achievement, respect. ried year-olrapists brightest and best young men is widespread But, it is also a place where chief ought not to have sexual es, embezzlers and tax cheats? and women-ther- e heroism is often confused with relations with a young intern in Justice would be lost. Without confusion of purpose and attenucelebrity, honor with fame, true his office and then lie about it-being judgmental, Americans ation of belief. After all, if the achievement with popularity, has lost its way. would never have put an end to character and personal conduct individual respect with political The problem is not with those slavery, outlawed child labor, of the acknowledged leader of correctness. Our culture cel- who are withholdingjudgement emancipated women, or ushered the fee world is irrelevant, then ebrates the until all the facts are in, but in the civil rights movement. what is relevant? Why should crossing of all moral boundaries, with the increasing number of Nor would we have prevailed anyone feel compelled to make and now even the breaking of all people who want to avoid judg- against Nazism and commu- sacrifices for the sake of an absocial taboos. And on top of it all, ment altogether. Firm moral nism, or known how to explain stract principal like honor? too often the sound heard is convictions have been eroded by our opposition. Young people just dont seem Mr. Clinton himself admitted to be finding the answers to these whining-th- e whining of tentativeness, uncertainty, difAmerica-whic- h can be heard only fidence. The new relativist con- in a judgment-lade- n 1996 proc- troubling questions in the value-fre- e as the enormous ingratitude of sensus Wolfe describes is not lamation he signed during Naculture of the 1990s. Please us modem men toward our un- surprising. During the last 30 tional Character Week: Indi- allow me to use two major hisprecedented good fortune. years we have witnessed a re- vidual character involves hon- torical events as reference points our wonders and lentless assault on traditional oring and embracing certain core to describe this culture. In 1999, Despite greatness, we are a nation that norms and a profound shift in ethical values: Honesty, respect, the famous New York rock festihas experienced so much social public attitudes. The tectonic responsibility.. .Parents must val, Woodstock, will celebrate teach their children from the its 30th anniversary. In its first regression, so much decadence, plates have moved. in so short a period of time, that toearliest age the difference be- 24 hours, Woodstock attracted have we been drawn Why we have become the kind of place ward such permissiveness? My tween right and wrong. But we 300,000 young people. It was to which civilized countries used former philosophy professor must all do our part. characterized by rowdiness, to send missionaries. How do we judge a wrqng-an- y John Silber was correct when he drinking, drug use, promiscuSocial regression and deca- spoke of an invitation to mu- wrong whatsoever-wHe- n we ity, and even death. dence are glaringly obvious in tual corruption. have gutted the principle ofjudgBut back in the summer of 69, ment itself? What arguments Woodstock was hailed can be made after we have d as the defining uncritically all the arguments of their event of a generation. It was force, their power, and their abil- undoubtedly the high point of ity to inspire public outrage? We the counterculture movement in 824 Changes Called Tax Relief. all know that there are times America. If it feels good, do it (And you didnt think the government had a sense of humor.) when we will have to judge oth- was the unofficial banner under ers, when it is both right and which the participants paraded. necessary to judge others. If we It is worth noting, however, that do not confront the soft relativ- most of those who attend Real tax relief comes when you sit down with us. Last year we got ism that is currently disguised Woodstock reunions today were as a virtue, we will find our- not even at the original festival. selves morally and intellectuEvidently, the memories are just more than $10 billion back for our customers. Working together, not worth kindling. The boys ally disarmed. In living memory, the chief and girls have grown d to threats American democracy grown beyond what Woodstock well help you get everything you have coming. have come from without: first stood for. As adults, they conNazism and Japanese imperial- sider it to have been childish, ism, and later, Soviet commu- utopian, irrelevant, irrespon178 South 100 East nism. But these wars, hot or sible, or worse. But their children and grandcold, endec in spectacular AmeriKanab, UT 84741 can victories. The threats we children are receiving a very difnow face are from within. They ferent impression from coun- Submitted by Howard L. Roberts, Jr. M.D. Does Honor have a Future? the current presidential admin- We are Co-found- self-respe- ( ct. nt it self-gratificatio- n, strip-mine- W. 20 television specials, music vid- eos, and movies that claim Woodstock was the greatest-th- e hippest-even- t ever, and that the psychedelic pioneers should be envied for the brave and mocking defiance of everyone and everything that went before. The year 1999 will also mark the 54th anniversary of Opera- tion Overlord. This secret Normandy invasion under the command of Dwight D. Eisenhower was the largest amphibious landing in history. In its first 24 hours, it involved about 170,000 young people. What veterans, as well as their families and friends, D-D- ay continue to celebrate in huge numbers at their reunions is something far different than is celebrated at Woodstock. Poignancy and dignity surround their gatherings, if only because the stakes during the dark days of World War II were so high, the heroism so manifest, the examples so inspiring. The participants can well recall President Roosevelts moving radio broadcast of June 6, 1944, which called the nation to pray: Almighty God: Our sons, Pride of our nation, this day have set on a mighty endeavor....They will need thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces...They will be sorely tired, by night and day. ..The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men's souls will be shaken with the violence of war. At Woodstock there were deaths. But they were different, in numbers and cause. In one period on Omaha 10-minu- te Beach, a single rifle company of 205 men lost 197, including every officer and sergeant. These were not pointless or avoidable deaths. The price was very high-bthat for which the soldiers died was sacred. We remember. Thei r comrades-in-arm- s remember. And so those who can, come back again and again to the ut battlefields to commemorate what has come to be called the longest day. What do todays youth learn about Operation Overlord from the present culture? With a few notable exceptions, like the recent film Saving Private Ryan, they learn that it was just an unfortunate episode in our history that happened a long time ago and that only interests like their gr andparents and Young people dont feel they need to know much about unless it is going to be covered on a test in school, and they certainly dont regard it as relevant to ties jpagazine. lytictes, ebooks, their own lives. :N up-an- r sv 435-644-20- 71 .mprg old-time- rs great-grandparen- ts. D-D- ay |