Bob McCarty Writes

There has been a lot of talk lately regarding the war in Iraq and our nation’s plans in the Middle East. Much less evident, however, have been signs that Americans without an active role in the War on Terror are willing to sacrifice and show a spirit of unity in the face of adversity.

I find it odd that Americans today, compared to their ancestors who lived during World Wars I and II, have been asked to sacrifice little or nothing in terms of time, talent and treasure to support the war effort. Imagine the uproar from the left if President George W. Bush drafted a message like the one President Harry S. Truman did in 1945 (see image below left).

I find it odd as well that so many Americans — most notably, our elected officials — seem to believe they can say anything they want to say about the war effort, despite the fact that their statements often seem to either undermine our troops, support our enemies or both. Imagine the uproar from the left if the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security called upon Americans to be careful about what they say in the way that officials during World War II did (see poster above right).

I hope it doesn’t take a war on American soil to get Americans to wake up. Sometimes, however, I think it will.

Note: Posters above can be found at Northwestern University.