Dr. Michael Otaigbe (@Michaelotaigbe) writes Dr. Otaigbe’s Wisdom Newsletter. Here is a little excerpt from from what he published on Veterans Day 2019.
I am inspired by Napoleon Hill’s story of a North Carolina wagon builder who when he “cleared the land for cultivation, always left a few oak trees in the middle of the field at the mercy of the elements, unsheltered by other trees in the forest. It was from those trees that the (builder) made the wagons’ wheels. Because they were forced to struggle against the fury of nature, they grew strong enough to bear the heaviest load.” Similarly, you grew strong from your life’s ups and downs. So don’t deprive your loved ones of the same opportunity by over protecting them. (from here)
Otaigbe wrote about children, not strong and competent soldiers. Still, I wondered. Why do we have this tendency to treat everyone who suffers a bit of difficulty like a victim? If someone chooses to take on a difficult struggle and battles valiantly, does that deserve our pity or admiration? What should we do? Should we encourage each other to be courageous? Should we come alongside courageous people, follow their example and add our strength to theirs, or should we shelter those who fight for us like pitiful children?
Do you want to live in a society of heroes or victims? False dilemma? Well, here is a random selection of Veterans Day tweets from Virginia politicians.
Generally, our leaders still honor veterans, but they have this tendency to buy our votes, even the votes of people who have fought for our liberty. Are they encouraging even our veterans to trade their liberty for the false promise of security? Something to think about.
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. — Benjamin Franklin (from here)
Prince William-Manassas Family Alliance 
Reblogged this on Citizen Tom.