My wife, Belene, spent most of her formative years growing up in the mountains of the Philippines. She often talks fondly of trips down to the American military bases where she was able to get a taste of American life and a reminder of home.
One memorable trip resulted in a hat from a Marine. It is in many pictures and was an obvious sign of pride and patriotism. The American Armed Forces in its WWII structure were real influences in the areas they were based. Not only because of the military protection they offered, but more importantly by the reaching out of soldiers to the children, families, and communities around them. They were true ambassadors who often showed, in a real way, what makes our country great.
With a smaller and restructured military we have seen the American footprint change, and some of the unintended consequences appear to be a loss of true Ambassadors in many areas around the world.
President George W. Bush will (hopefully) be judged honestly by historians once he leaves office in just over a year. I have always held the belief that President Bush will be judged, and correctly so, that he got the big view of radical Islam correct and its threat to our way of life.
Even though “war is hell” and does not always go as smoothly as we would like. The big picture when you are the President is what counts.
Those against this war would try to call me a “Neo-con” for this belief, though I would disagree. (POINT OF MENTION: Hats off to the “Liberals” for finally coming up with a derogatory word that seems to stick to conservatives in a negative way. It has taken them since Dukakis to do it, but they have finally done it. Congrats!!)
Anyways……….
This past August my son and I were able to visit the peaceful (Sunni Muslim) country of Senegal. The nation of Senegal boasts a ninety-seven percent population of Islamic believers. As we traveled the countryside we were inundated with people who wanted to speak to Americans and get our view of what is going on in the world.
As we talked to many different people during our travels I started to understand that even in Islamic countries there is tremendous fear of the more radical forms of Islam that are spreading across Northern Africa. Senegalese people made it very clear that they considered themselves friends of Americans, and want us to be involved in countering the movements in their country toward radical Islam.
One official we met even introduced us to the largest land tortoise named “Bill Clinton” just to show us just how pro-American they really are.
While we drove around we noticed a tremendous amount of construction going up along the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean. My inquiry got me a long lecture on how Senegal is preparing for a world-wide Islamic conference next year. The government is building tremendous hotels and accommodations for leaders from all over the Islamic world including the more radical elements.
There was pride and fear evident as the discussions continued. There has been pressure on the government here to require teaching of the Koran in all schools, and some forms of more radical laws being passed. All of this to gain the favor of the Islamic leaders soon so to be arriving.
We were then able to visit some mosques and libraries that were built by Moammar Gaddafi, the Libyan dictator. The Libyan leader is in legacy building mode right now. He is building major mosques, libraries, and infrastructure throughout North Africa.
Other of the more radical Islamic governments are also following suit because money certainly has influence on power.
It all made me understand how important American influence overseas is even in the “insignificant” countries. I quickly realized how my son and I were ambassadors, and the only American many people will ever talk too or get to know.
I was disappointed at the lack of real American Ambassadorship in Senegal. It seems on some fronts we are losing ground. Even worse we may be losing the hearts and minds of many in these countries to a more radical element. Radical Islam has no problem pouring vast amounts of influence and money into these vulnerable areas of the world. America does need to restructure the State Department to coincide with the new military structure of the 21st Century.
