Posted by
James Biga on Friday, December 29, 2006 11:06:56 AM
I have often complained about the present situation of America's invovlement in the world. Everyone wants us to do something and everybody hates us when we do. Our involvement in Afghanistan, Iraq, and still Bosnia is costing us lives and treasure. I am not one that cares about whether people like us or not. Seeing who other nations kiss up to, I don't want them anywhere near my house.
A great thing happened in the last couple of days. Ethiopia, a country devestated with famine 2 decades ago, has come to the aid of a neighbor. I am not naive to think that this aid was provided out of pure good neighborlyness, theie own security was at risk. Ethiopia and Somalia can't be identified as good friends. If I remember my history properly, Ethiopia and Somalia have fought often about access to the sea. Because of this, I am sure that the Official government of Somalia has worked out some kind of deal with Ethiopia in order to get their support. There is nothing wrong with this. This is a win-win situation.
Somalia gets rid of the Islamist threat and gets it's nation back. Ethiopia gets access to ports and has one less neighbor to worry about. The Somali government must now do everything in it's power to keep the Islamists out as well as set up a society that will benefit it's people. This is where America can help. American educators, doctors, lawyers, and other professionals should lend their expertise in helping pull Somalia out of the gutter it has been in. There should be organizations being setup to get these professionals over there. I recommend surfing the web for Somali support organizations as well as the USAID group.
20 years ago millions of naive kids supported the effort to provide food and medicine to the starving Ethiopians. Today they are capable of fending for themselves and helping their neighbors. Despite the world's hatred for us, this is one incident where we have been proven right. I am sure there is more to Ethiopia's growth than a bunch of charity, but it did play a part. Now it's time to help the others in need.
President Clinton decided to cut and run from Mogadishu. This made the area very unstable. The Ethiopians couldn't afford to live with this kind of fear and have dealt with it. It is not over yet. While the Somali government is trying to build a legitimate infrastructure the Islamists will retaliate as they always do, cowardly attacks and skirmishes. They will go after Somali citizens. Only a steadfast resolve can defeat these people. Ethiopia appears to have that resolve. I hope that the Somali government also has it. Time will tell.
In the meanwhile, America can take some credit for this. A friend that we have helped as helped itself and it's neighbor. We helped the Ethiopians to fish and they have fed themselves and are now teaching others how to fish. It's these little things we do that make the big difference.
God Save America.
More importantly, God Bless America.
Blogs from my Buddies:
Right Angle Ford and Brown
Conservative Sense Responsibility
Wakeup America Death to Saddam
LLP Constitution
Greg Mc IBM
SPQR Toons
Right Truth Iran
RCI Haj