Duty

Do we know the true meaning of the term duty? Of course we do! But do we know how to apply it to our lives? How does it relate to our principles, values, and ethics? Let’s put the same question to our politicians. And what about the mass media, do we know whose side they are on in any conflict? As an example maybe we should look to the thousands of men and women serving in our armed forces. As volunteers and some of our best citizens, perhaps that’s the example of that term we need to follow. Robert Freer’s article below gives his blunt and accurate assessment of the subject

Robert E. Freer, Jr., President of The Free Enterprise Foundation

As a young cattle rancher in Dakota territory, Theodore Roosevelt began his speech to a boisterous crowd of Fourth of July revelers in Dickinson with the following: “…But as you already know your rights and privileges so well, I am going to ask you to excuse me if I say a few words about your duties. Much has been given to us…and we must take heed to use aright the gifts entrusted to our care. It is not what we have that will make us a great nation; it is the way in which we use it.” The future president continued…he liked “big things” and did not undervalue America’s material prosperity, “But we must keep steadfastly in mind that no people were ever yet benefited by riches if their prosperity corrupted their virtue.” Robert E. Lee, the paragon of virtue, pronounced “Duty, the sublimest word in the English language.”

As a nation we can agree to the ideal of duty, but we seem to have a heck of a time applying the principle to our lives. Our over emphasis on “rights”, human and otherwise, without a corresponding emphasis on responsibility has obscured the “duty” each of us has to protect this society from abuse. No one who enjoys its benefits should criticize our society unless they are contributing by their intellect, their physical labor or financial investment in its protection and betterment. Surely we cannot advance as a nation, if we are preoccupied with tearing down its institutions or leaders.

I have a real problem with those of our fellow Americans who denigrate the President’s elected service to our Country. I am not speaking about limiting free speech. Yes, we all have that. Just because “you can” doesn’t mean “you should”. Our society, though robust, does require decorum in how we express our dissent. What I object to is the sometimes vicious, almost always ill informed personal abuse heaped upon the president.

“43”, as he sometimes calls himself, to distinguish from his father “41” who also served as President, is the product of one of this country’s oldest “immigrant” families and one, which, as their actions for generations of service to this country confirm, does know the meaning of “duty.”

Differ with his policies if you want. Question the implementation of those policies with which you differ, but when you attack the character of this country’s president, or verbally disrespect him or his office, you reveal a personal character defect that is a far larger mote in your eye than any deficiency in our president.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s look at “duty” as it relates to the public debate regarding the administration’s leadership of our actions in Iraq.

The difference between success and failure in a protracted battle is often a matter of imagination and will power. Wars test a country’s mettle, and it is on the home front we aren’t doing so well. Those thousands of young men and women serving in the combat zone represent our Best, not second raters who would have done almost anything “better” if it had been available to them.

Many have volunteered for second and third tours of duty at great sacrifice to them and their families. They believe in their mission, and their actions represent an understanding of what duty is. They are living it every day.

If the will power of the public were equal to that of our troops, there would be no question of the victory of a free Iraq. And in any case, whatever national command leadership deficiencies our troops may be experiencing, we will still be better as a nation for their experience. For anyone to question their patriotism or their mental ability is the height of churlishness.

Duty begins with an emphasis on self respect. When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Who is that person? Is that person trustworthy; respectful of other’s rights, respectful of their own person and not abusive toward others or themselves? Individuals who respect themselves are emotionally invested in their community. Are you? Do you appreciate that it is the mutual dependence we embrace as citizens that builds strong communities and fulfilling lives?

I am fond of quoting John Adams regarding our republic being created for a “religious and moral people”. It is not “fit for any other.” While the right of dissent must be respected, our preservation is dependent on our mutual acceptances of core Judeo Christian values that are ingrained in our Constitution and The common law.

On that score, I fear we are failing. Our kids in Iraq get it, but our mass media don’t. They are particularly to blame in encouraging violence, crudeness, and the celebration of the lowest common denominator of behavior, all in pursuit of ratings. We are celebrating the banal, the self indulgent and the wholesale pursuit of pleasure. Is it any wonder that by most measures, there has been a coarsening of our social values and a weakening of the mutual ties that bind us as families and as a nation?

As we end 2006, let me urge all of us to resolve to strengthen our mutual ties in 2007, to humbly accept our deficiencies and work toward repairing our self respect as together, we strengthen the national bonds that make us a great nation.

Copyright © 2007 by Robert E. Freer, Jr. All rights reserved

About the author: Robert E. Freer, Jr. is President of The Free Enterprise Foundation. He is a Visiting Professor, at The Citadel and elected in 2005 to be their first John S. Grinalds Leader in Residence. A regular contributor to the Mercury, He can be reached by E-mail at The Citadel . Copies of his earlier columns can be found The Free Enterprise Foundation.

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