Jeane Kirkpatrick Issues Call to Courage

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Jeane Kirkpatrick Issues Call to Courage Dr. James HirsenThursday November 1, 2001 On Wednesday, in Irvine, California, Jeane Kirkpatrick addressed a group from Claremont McKenna College. The former Reagan cabinet member spoke of the problems we now face.Kirkpatrick remarked that our forebears, as well as those who set out to explore our nation, had a virtue we must exhibit today. She described the quality as "simple raw courage."In an effort to place the September 11th attack in context, Kirkpatrick noted that it was the first time since 1812 that such a military attack had taken place on our soil. She also provided some important facts about our enemy, Osama bin Laden.After witnessing the unfavorable results on the part of the U.S. in Somalia, bin Laden bragged that Americans "are not fighters, but are cowards." Kirkpatrick pointed out the arrogance of the Al-Qaeda members, who describe the mass killing of Americans as a noble endeavor.When Kirkpatrick was the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, she gained a reputation for independent thought and often criticized the UN itself. NewsMax asked Kirkpatrick about recent statements made by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Annan had suggested that the U.S. should halt efforts in Afghanistan. Kirkpatrick responded, "Don't take the statements too seriously."She told of how during her trip she looked out the airplane window at the craggy mountains in the distance. She described her sentiment as she reflected on the courage that it must have taken to expand the American frontier. She believes we will solve the problem of terrorism.Jeane Kirkpatrick continues to demonstrate optimism, that trademark attribute of her former boss, Ronald Reagan. She reminds us all that although the problems we face may be tough, they are no tougher than those that confronted our forebears. They managed to voyage "over those mountains." We can too. http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2001/11/1/82250.shtml