Teaching Patriot Principles after Afghanistan: One Fathers Perspective

Unless you just arrived here from outer space, over the last few weeks it's been hard to miss the tragedy of the US/NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan and the gut punch of accompanying tragedies. We've been treated to scenes of terrified families clinging to aircraft exteriors; men, women and children weeping at their loss of homes, livelihoods and freedoms; inexpressible horror as more than a dozen Marines and nearly 200civilians lost their lives in a brutal, senseless suicide bombing; propaganda photos of Taliban gloating over captured weapons, vehicles and equipment and the shuddering realization of what mayhem they could wreak with advanced weaponry; and the list goes on and on. Many have rightly pointed out that others have tried - and failed - to tame the Hindu Kush region. Alexander the Great, the British Empire and the Soviets, among others, have attempted - and failed - to achieve lasting power and stability in the region.

However, in those early months and years following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and their links to the Taliban in Afghanistan, we as a nation believed we could succeed where others had failed. Was it hubris? Maybe. It's not my intention, here, to make the case one way or another - should we have engaged in "nation building," in Afghanistan or not? As a father of four who deeply loves this nation and its founding principles, I have an obligation to my children to help them come to terms with this monumental loss and put it into perspective on why they, too, can love - indeed MUST love and cherish -the principles upon which this nation was founded, even amidst such devastating turmoil and sense of America's failings in Afghanistan.

Many times, I've reflected on a quote from one of the early leaders of my faith which helps me separate the actions of administrations, Congresses and bureaucrats from the ideals enshrined in our founding documents. Brigham Young said, "I love the government and the constitution of the United States but I do not love the damned rascals who administer the government." In his day, many members of their faith perceived themselves victims at the hands of lawlessness - chased from multiple homes spanning several states, theft of lands, businesses and property, prohibited from engaging in commerce, torture and abuse and even murders at the hands of citizens and even governments. Early leaders made several attempts at addressing their grievances with local, state and even federal governments -including to the President himself - and all seemed to fall on deaf ears. It's no wonder so many early Latter Day Saints felt betrayed and abandoned by the very government whose job it was to "establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, [and] promote the general Welfare," and utterly failed to do so in their case. Brigham, however, cut through to the heart of the matter in his typical blunt way. While leadership may fail - or, worse, willfully abuse power, true principles remain true.

Thus, my responsibility to my kids is to inspire them not to the worship of party or personality but principle. I must help them to see and understand the divine principles our Founders codified into the law of the land, so they can look past the failings of parties and politicians to see what America SHOULD be. Among the many true principles enshrined in our founding documents, we do, in fact, believe all men are created equal in the eyes of our Creator. We have an obligation to deal justly with each other, in spite of differences. We expect elected leaders to be held accountable to their oaths of office, not just acting on the caprices of their desires and appetites. We recognize the right to worship (or not) as one sees fit. We believe a man is innocent until proven guilty and convicted by a jury of his peers, regardless of the judgments pronounced by courts of public opinion. We recognize mankind's innate rights to life, liberty and property and that sometimes this may require defending those sacred rights with force from those who would usurp and deprive of these liberties. On the other hand, we also recognize we are subject to consequences if we violate someone else's sacred rights to life, liberty and property.

These are the true principles I strive to build my children's' patriotism on. In our household, we do not worship parties or politicians; we hold sacred the liberties and principles we believe inspired by our Creator which the Founders bled and died to enshrine in the supreme law of the land. In this way, we CAN look past the failings of men and the mistakes of administrations and seek to support government officials at all levels who know, understand and honor these same truths despite our human failings.

Thanks,

Jeremy P.