Friday, June 04, 2004
In the first book of his epic trilogy Lord of the Rings, Tolkien puts some insightful words into the mouth of his hero, Aragorn on the role of people defending others. Aragorn, who has protected the Shire from evil things for many years, declares to the Council, "Less thanks have we than you...'Strider' I am to one fat man who lives within a day's march of foes that would freeze his heart, or lay his little town in ruins, if he were not guarded ceaselessly. Yet we would not have it otherwise. If simple folk are free from care and fear, simple they will be, and we must be secret to keep them so."
Aragorn is right. This, too, is the reason for anti-Americanism from the nations of Europe. They are "simple folk" and, thanks to America, have been "free from care and fear" for many years. We protected them from Russia and now we protect them from the Arabs. Instead of being thankful, however, they "give us scornful names." It is to be expected.
Aragorn is right. This, too, is the reason for anti-Americanism from the nations of Europe. They are "simple folk" and, thanks to America, have been "free from care and fear" for many years. We protected them from Russia and now we protect them from the Arabs. Instead of being thankful, however, they "give us scornful names." It is to be expected.
// posted by The Pendragon @ 9:28 AM 
