A person should be free to do as he likes in his own concerns; but he ought not to be free to do as he likes in acting for another under the pretext that the affairs of another are his own affairs. The State, while it respects the liberty of each in what specially regards himself, is bound to maintain a vigilant control over his exercise of any power which it allows him to possess over others.
-J.S. Mill
Applicable 150 years ago, and even in the past few days
Today. The weather knows.
I remember nine years ago, just like it was yesterday. I also remember exactly where I was, much like I am sure all of you remember what you were doing as well.
A year ago, I was sitting in language training with my Senegalese teacher. The buildings of Rosslyn (typically a soulless, concrete eyesore on the south side of the Potomac) were draped with massive American flags that were wordlessly put up a few days prior. I walked to class under a dreary and constant rain- very odd for early September when the East Coast is usually bathed in the last gasps of summer weather. Once in class Marie and I took turns staring out the window, watching the rain fall and airplanes make their final approach into National airport. She perfectly surmised both of our unspoken feelings (in French): “Yes, God is crying today”.
Fast forward to this year, and the mood in Dakar is similar. Deliberate rain and impenetrable overcast skies are a stark contrast to the beautiful weather that we enjoyed yesterday for Korité (Eid al-Fitr)- one of the most holy days in the Muslim calendar. From where I live, I can again see airplanes on final approach into Léopold Sédar Senghor Airport. Interesting the parallels that we can always find when we are looking for them.
I’m not sure that I have anything new or meaningful to add to the anger, disgust and exasperation that has centered around Islam and what people have tried to sell as our American identity as of late. Indeed, I would refer you to the Cairo scholar’s latest blog entry (here) if you would like to see read a nice encapsulation of our perspective “over here”. Otherwise, I’m rather weary of this subject and would like to take a different tack.
Rare photographic evidence of my day job, taken a year ago. My twin sister (at left) promoted me on USS CONSTITUTION in Boston Harbor.
If you made yourself a Top Ten List of the things that define you, what would you include? I know that for many people in my line of work, “soldier” “sailor” “marine” or “air force guy” would probably rank near the very top. For me, I’d probably say that my status as a naval officer might barely crack the bottom of my list. This isn’t to say that I am not proud of my service, I simply consider other aspects of my life more significant. Which is why you will (hopefully) never catch me watching the Military Channel.
So how would I define myself? Off the top of my head, I think my list would look something like this: A Hallinan, Masshole, apprentice, cynic, American Gothic, itinerant, middle of the school bus rider, runner…..stuff like that.
But in looking at this hastily-assembled catalog, there is one overarching personification that makes all these descriptors possible: the fact that I am American. I am aware of the hard-fought freedoms that my predecessors won so that I could sit here and create sarcastic blog entries from a Lay-Z-Boy in West Africa. It is because I live in this kind of indebtedness that I chose my line of work. I have no problem giving my life in defending my country against those who fly airplanes into my cities in the name of lesser and malevolent principles.
There are people in every country who suffer from bouts of the wrong idea, and consequently come up with inappropriate solutions to the world’s problems. We’ll never be able to eradicate these elements of misguidance; engagement after military engagement continues to teach us this fact. As for me, I can only hope that enough good people are always willing to stand up for what is right, run into a burning tower, or raise their right hand when the time calls for courage.