Aurora, and the Man Who Might Lose America

by Colonel Bob Pappas, USMC, Retired

The tragic massacre at Aurora, Colorado is almost incomprehensible, so much so that one may sit passively on a glistening white beach watching while children without a care play, their excited voices filling the air; or, likewise sit on some porch casually observing groups of golfers move across a green, voicing only praise or disdain for the last shot. It’s as though events at Aurora were merely a night at a horror movie. But the James Holmes’ attack was real, vicious, brutal and terrorist in intent, scope and effect. In the world of Hollywood where any fantasy goes the Aurora tragedy is another example of its influence on society, even if only one member.  Hollywood of course, bloviates that its works are for entertainment or merely reflect society.

Unlike those who claim they do not know or understand the origin of Holmes’ violence here’s a clue, Satan! But the “blame God first” crowd immediately asks, “How could a loving God allow that to happen?” The fact is God did not want it to happen and did not make it happen but millennia ago humankind took (in the Garden of Eden) the right to choose and Holmes chose evil rather than good, he chose the “dark side of the force.” Was he insane? Reports by some experts assert that the answer is, no. If he lives long enough to go to trial, that avenue will no doubt be explored.

Even in a nation that has gone over the cliff of politically correct speech, “terrorist” is an appropriate and descriptive word that fits him.  Holmes will be the subject of much analysis and discussion for months, perhaps years to come but one thing is certain, and he is a terrorist.  He is full of evil and hatred that no doubt came from his life experiences that lead him to “act out” violently, but it wasn’t an “act.” If one accepts Obama’s thesis then it wasn’t Holmes fault since no one does anything on their own, a conclusion that derives from his now infamous statement, “If you have a business, you didn’t build that, someone else did that.” Therefore, in Obama’s world everyone is responsible, and that reflects his overarching and overreaching collectivist core beliefs. Obama’s thesis may fit socialist/liberal templates, but not of individuality or personal responsibility; and is the antithesis of freedom.

If Holmes’ intent was to terrorize, kill his enemies, seek notoriety, express anger, and stir a response, he succeeded in every respect, precisely the same as the Fort Hood shooter, Major Nidal Malik Hasan. Following that massacre Chief of Staff of the Army, General George W. Casey said, "Our diversity not only in our Army, but in our country, is a strength. And as horrific as this tragedy was, if our diversity becomes a casualty, I think that's worse." If Casey got his marching orders from the White House to spew that nonsense it’s one more reason to dump Obama. If they reflected his own thoughts, “Houston, we have a problem;” either way the nation has a problem that it would be wise to clean up in November. 

Given this and other past events one hopes that Romney does not view his campaign as a mere movie or political game without serious consequences, one hopes that he understands the gravity of the situation; and that it will light a fire under his decidedly flat campaign. If he doesn’t, he may well be the man who lost America!

In the alternative, even given that Romney lacks the passion, connectivity and “fire in the belly,” mainstream Americans must push him to victory or this nation will be lost for generations to come; Khrushchev’s reputed prediction that America’s grandchildren will live under communism and like it will turn out to have been prophetic; and, America will plunge into the political, economic and spiritual dark ages of collectivism. Succinctly put, this isn’t a movie, freedom is at stake and for freedom loving people it’s time to get serious!

Semper Fidelis


Copyright © July23rd, 2012, by Robert L. Pappas. With proper attribution, this essay may be quoted and redistributed, except it may not be used in conjunction with any advertisement without the author’s expressed written permission.