WHO LOOKS FOOLISH, ALAMO HEROES OR US?



By Pastor Chuck Baldwin
March 6, 2007
NewsWithViews.com

On this date back in 1836, the Alamo fell. For more than 13 days, 186 brave and
determined patriots withstood Santa Anna’s seasoned army of over 4,000 troops.
To a man, the defenders of that mission fort knew they would never leave those
ramparts alive. They had several opportunities to leave and live. Yet, they chose
to fight and die. How foolish they must look to this generation of spoiled Americans.

It is difficult to recall that stouthearted men such as Davy Crockett (a nationally
known frontiersman and former Congressman), Will Travis (only 23 years old with
a little baby at home), and Jim Bowie (a wealthy landowner with properties on
both sides of the Rio Grande) really existed. These were real men with real
dreams and real desires. Real blood flowed through their veins. They loved their
families and enjoyed life as much as any of us. There was something different
about them, however. They possessed a commitment to liberty that transcended
personal safety and comfort.

Liberty is an easy word to say, but it is a hard word to live up to. Freedom
has little to do with financial gain or personal pleasure. Accompanying Freedom
is her constant and unattractive companion, Responsibility. Neither is she an
only child. Patriotism and Morality are her sisters. They are inseparable; destroy
one and all will die.

Early in the siege, Travis wrote these words to the people of Texas: "Fellow
Citizens & Compatriots: I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans
under Santa Anna. . . . The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise
the garrison are to be put to the sword . . . I have answered the demand with
a cannon shot & our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never
surrender or retreat. . . . VICTORY OR DEATH! P.S. The Lord is on our side.
. . ."

As you read those words, remember that Travis and the others did not have the
A.C.L.U., P.E.T.A., People for the un-American Way, and the National Education
Association telling them how intolerant and narrow-minded their notions of honor
and patriotism were. A hostile media did not constantly castigate them as a
bunch of wild-eyed extremists. As school children, they were not taught that
their forefathers were nothing more than racist jerks.

The brave men at the Alamo labored under the belief that America (and Texas)
really was "the land of the free and the home of the brave." They
believed God was on their side and that the freedom of future generations depended
on their courage and resolve. They further believed their posterity would remember
their sacrifice as an act of love and devotion. It all looks pale now.

By today’s standards, the gallant men of the Alamo appear rather foolish. After
all, they had no chance of winning-none. However, the call for pragmatism and
practicality was never sounded. Instead, they answered the clarion call, "Victory
or death!"

Please try to remember the heroes of the Alamo as you watch our gutless political
and religious leaders surrender to compromise and political correctness. Try
to recall the time in this country when ordinary men and women had the courage
of their convictions and were willing to sacrifice their lives for freedom and
independence.

One thing is certain: those courageous champions at the Alamo did not die for
a political party or for some "lesser of two evils" mantra. They fought
and died for a principle, and that principle was liberty and independence. So
did the men at Lexington and Concord. That is our heritage.

Today, however, our national leaders are in the process of turning America
over to the very forces that the Alamo defenders gave their lives resisting.
On second thought, do they look foolish, or do we?

© 2007 Chuck Baldwin

On The Web:
http://www.newswithviews.com/baldwin/baldwin352.htm