What Eric Blair Learned

Eric Blair was born to an English Civil Servant working in India. Sent back to England for his education, he was spotted early on by observant teachers -- this one was a thinker and a writer. He was also an adventurer. As most young men did -- at that time and now -- he felt himself morally superior to his parents and moved to the political left. He wrote "The Road to Wigan Pier" about the poverty in rural England and went off to Spain to join the Marxist forces during the Spanish Civil War. Confronted with the realities of Communism and with the inevitable slide of leftism towards fascism (and, yes, the political right can take you there, too, but this is Eric's story) he began writing under a pen name, one that has become famous worldwide -- George Orwell. He first wrote "Animal Farm" as an anti-Stalinist screed and at the same time that the New York Times was writing a year long series praising Stalin. Blair/Orwell then moved to the Scottish island of Jura and wrote "1984."

Originally a pacifist, then a partisan for the left, and then a pacifist again, he came to the sad realization that pacifism was only possible when men stood ready to protect the pacifists. He wrote this: "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."

Here are some other quotes by and about those rough men.

"Appeasers believe that if you keep throwing steaks to a tiger, the tiger will become a vegetarian." (H.H. Broun, 1888-1939)

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings which thinks that nothing is worse than war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free -- unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." (John Stuart Mill, 1868)

"Those poor bastards. They've got us surrounded. Now we can fire in any direction. They won't get away this time... They have us right where we want them." (Col. "Chesty" Puller, USMC, the most decorated Marine of all time, December 1950, Choisin Reservoir)

"The Spartans do not ask how many the enemy number, but where they are." (Spartan poet, c. 415 BC)

"Nothing is worse than war? Dishonor is worse than war. Slavery is worse than war." (Winston Churchill, 1940)

"Remember: when enemies and terrorists threaten, it is always the Marine Warrior, not the politician, who ensures the survival of our society. It is always the Marine Warrior, not the news media, who guarantees our freedom of the press. When the flak flies it is the Marine Warrior, not the lawyer, who preserves our civil liberties." (Marion Sturkey, USMC)

"I am an American, fighting in the armed forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense." (Article 1, Code of Conduct, US Armed Forces)

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty." (John F. Kennedy, US President, 20 January 1961)

"The last time any of his fellow prisoners heard him, Captain Versace was singing God Bless America at the top of his voice." (from the Medal of Honor citation given posthumously to Captain "Rocky" Versace, US Army, who was dragged from a bamboo cage and executed by the enemy on 26 September 1965)

"...he was again wounded, this time in the right hand, which prevented him from operating his vitally needed machine gun. Suddenly, and without warning, an enemy grenade landed in the midst of the few surviving Marines. Unhesitatingly and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Corporal Barker threw himself upon the deadly grenade, absorbing with his own body the full and tremendous force of the explosion. In a final act of bravery, he crawled to the side of a wounded comrade and administered first aid before succumbing to his wounds... He gallantly gave his life for his country." (Medal of Honor citation, LCpl. Jedh C. Barker, USMC, 1967)

"Freedom is not free, but the Marines will pay most of your share." (Ned Dolan, USMC)

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made any difference. The Marines don't have that problem." (Ronald Reagan, US President, 1985)

"They told us to open up the Embassy or "we'll blow you away." And then they looked up on the roof and saw the Marines on the roof... and they said in Somali, "Igarilli ahow" which means "Excuse me, I really didn't mean it. My mistake."" (Karen Aquilar, in the US Embassy, Mogadishu, Somalia, 1991)

And, finally, this poem by an unknown writer:

"I am a small and precious child, my dad's been sent to fight.
The only place I'll see his face is in my dreams at night.
He will be gone far too many days for my young mind to keep track.
I may be sad, but I am proud,
Because my daddy's got your back...

"I am a caring mother. My son has gone to war.
My mind is filled with worries that I've never known before.
Everyday I try to keep my thoughts from turning black.
I may be scared, but I am proud,
Because my son has got your back...

"I am a strong and loving wife, with a husband soon to go.
There are times I'm terrified in a way most will never know.
I bite my lip, and force a smile as I watch my husband pack...
My heart may break to pieces, but I am proud,
Because my husband's got your back...

"I am a Marine, Soldier, Sailor, Airman, serving proudly, standing tall.
I fight for freedom, yours and mine, by answering the call.
I do my job while knowing the thanks it sometimes lacks.
Please say a prayer that I'll come home soon...
Because it's me who's got your back."