Lessons from History?

As a History teacher, I look for ways to tie history to present day situations. I often told students that if we don't understand where we came from we won't know where we are headed -- until it is too late! I find it interesting that the firs 10 days of November mark the anniversary of several important events in History. Events that if we are not careful can be repeated! Remember that history often repeats itself and unfortunately we don't seem to want to learn from history.

November 1938 -- The Nazis of Hitler's Germany launched Kristal Nacht -- an attack against the Jews of Germany which foreshadowed the coming Holocaust.

November 1979 -- The radical Muslim followers of the Ayatollah storm the American Embassy in Tehran and take American hostages, holding them hostage for 444 days.

November 1989 -- The Berlin Wall falls!! (On the 51st anniversary of Kristal Nacht)

Now for the history lesson. In the first two instances, radical followers of a charismatic leader who plastered his face everywhere (television, posters, speeches, etc) and blamed all of the nation's problems on the country's previous leaders forced citizens to obey the new "Order" or else suffer the consequences. And the fact that so-called leaders offered appeasement and apologies instead of determined leadership lead to major problems for America and the World. Anyone remember -- "We have peace in our time!"

The final situation which ended years of brutal oppression and allowed millions (eventually hundreds of millions) to experience freedom for the first time in their lives was only accomplished by a principled leader who stood his ground even when criticized by those who should have known better.

America is in need of a leader who will not cower, apologize, and appease!! We need a leader who will lead us and protect us -- not take away our freedoms and liberty!