“The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith, and the freedom of nations can make them.”
– President Woodrow Wilson in his “War Message” address to Congress in 1917
When President Wilson gave this speech to Congress and the nation, the US was maintaining a neutral position during the first World War. The country was strongly opposed to fighting another war. Memories of the devastating US Civil War were still in sharp focus in the nation. Wilson, who staunchly opposed the US entering the war, was nevertheless insightful enough to see the winds of world conflict growing.
In his speech, Wilson laid out the reasons the US had to act, if not just for the sake of the American people, for the sake of the free world. The war, which he and the nation so desperately wanted to avoid, threatened the entire world to the point that Wilson had no other choice.
Those words, spoken 100 years ago, could not ring more true today. There is an imminent danger to the world. The genocide and terrorism waged in the name of radical Islam cannot be allowed to continue. This is not a holy war between religions—not yet—but it certainly could become just such a thing. The goal of radical Islamic terrorism is to wipe all other religions off the face of the map.
The terrorist organizations we face today have no qualms when it comes to butchering all those who do not bend to their perverted and violent way of thinking. They do not hesitate to murder, torture, rape and eradicate all who oppose them. They relish in the barbarism and horrors inflicted upon their victims. Fundamental human rights that the free world protects and values have no meaning to the enemy we now face.
The enemy we face has driven and defined the narrative of grievance and fear. The narrative and tenets of radical Islamic terrorism are infiltrating our public schools, our communities, and even our laws and legislature. They have convinced the people of the world that any condemnation of their goals or their propaganda is racist or Islamophobic. It is a false narrative that must be exposed.
At no time in history has the world faced such a global danger. Instead of a battle for political reasons or to gain materials or territory, this war is for the survival of civilization. The terrorists we face have an ideology that values death and martyrdom over freedom and life.
Throughout history, there have been defining moments that shaped the future of the world—the battle of Thermopylae, the crucifixion of Christ, World War I, Pearl Harbor, D-Day, and the fall of the Iron Curtain, just to name a few. Since the beginning of time, there have been hard choices that had to be made and actions that had to be taken for the good of mankind. This is one of those times.
This is the world’s defining moment. This is the time to stand for what is just and right and not bend to the political correctness of the ill-informed, misguided, and blind. We can no longer maintain our attitude of complacency and hope the battle does not reach our shores. That view is a fallacy, for in this conflict, there are no shores, no borders. There are no safe spaces or neutral nations. The threat is global.
If we as a people do not fight this scourge and blight upon humanity, we may very well usher in the apocalypse that our enemy so desperately desires to achieve. Inaction will be rewarded with our very way of life ceasing to exist. All one has to do is look at the areas where the enemy has been allowed to impose their philosophy. All culture is destroyed; all freedom, history, and prosperity are lost. Women are subjugated, and entire peoples are put to death in the genocide of radical Islamic jihad. There is no doubt that the world under the control of radical Islam will revert to worse than medieval times.
As distasteful as it is, as costly as it may be, we cannot wait. We cannot hesitate. We cannot hope for the best, as only the worst of all fears will be realized. We as a civilized world must look past our petty differences. Economic, political, and cultural differences must be put aside by all nations to join and fight against the impending doom that is radical Islam.
The United States has been called the “Shining City Upon a Hill.” The US has also been labeled the world’s policeman. It is time to accept those titles. It is time to lead the rest of the world against the terrorists trying to tear our civilization apart. It is time for us as Americans to say enough is enough and take that first and hardest step to bring the fight to the enemy.
Hoping for peace is not an option. Decisive and total commitment to destroy the threat of radical Islamic terrorism, wherever it may be found, is our only option now. The rest of the world must join in this effort, but if they are not willing or refuse to see the danger facing them, then go it alone we must.
The world, whether they realize it yet or not, is depending on America to do what has to be done. Our path is clear, and we must not stray or retreat from our task. The world’s future depends on it. It depends on us.
Returning to the words spoken 100 years ago by President Wilson,
“We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith, and the freedom of nations can make them.”
