Leesburg, VA – The experts tell us that new-born infants like Sarah Jane cannot really distinguish what’s before them when they open their eyes. These same experts also say the little smile I see on her tiny lips are just a sign she needs to be burped.
Maybe.
I choose to think our beautiful, little (6lbs, 8 oz; 19 inches long) newborn grandchild really can see me and is smiling at her grand-dad. I really don’t know, of course, but I do know I’m looking at the future. And some day, God-willing, Sarah Jane will pull this column out of an old album and smile at her grandfather’s unfounded concerns for her prospects.
So, Sarah Jane, here is a quick recap of what happened this week in the days before and since you were born and why I pray so hard for you, your four siblings and seven cousins:
Shortly before you arrived — early (what a wonderful surprise) — I was in Arizona with our Fox News team documenting an invasion across our southern border. Instead of helping to defend our country from Mexican cartels engaged in kidnapping, drug smuggling and human trafficking, our president brought a federal lawsuit against the State of Arizona. Though he’s supposed to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, he evidently doesn’t understand the second clause of Article III, Section 2: “In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers, and those in which a State shall be a Party, the Supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction.”
Sarah Jane, when you can read, I’ll give you a copy of that magnificent document your Dad and I took an oath to support and defend. And when you are old enough, I’ll teach you to shoot and safely handle a firearm. You will need to know how.
On Tuesday morning, the day you were born, I had a doctor’s appointment to check on my progress in treatment for prostate cancer. The doctors who care for me are really good and I’m doing fine. But it also turns out that under the new health care reform law, I probably wouldn’t be eligible for the treatment. It’s not that I’m not worthy — just too old. Hopefully, your Mom and Dad will never be “too old” for medical care.
That afternoon, when your Mom astounded your Dad by announcing it was time to go to Loudoun Hospital Center, your grandmother “Nan” and I were in a meeting with our attorney, a financial planner and accountants. We were trying to figure out how we can preserve some of what we have worked so hard for so that you, your brothers and sisters and cousins can benefit from it.
Regrettably, most of our elected officials want the federal government to inherit what we have built instead of you and your generation. The folks in Washington do not seem to know that most of us work hard so our children and grandchildren will have greater opportunities than we had. Perhaps we can start fixing this problem when we go to the polls in November.
As you were being born, our president was in the Oval Office at the White House giving a speech to the American people — his second since he’s been there. You and your Mom were busy and couldn’t listen. You didn’t miss much.
His 19-minute speech was supposed to be about the end of combat operations in Iraq, but that was false advertising. Instead, President Obama talked about nearly everything else under the sun. He was kind enough to mention his predecessor, President George W. Bush, and thanked our brave troops and their families for the sacrifices they made in Mesopotamia. But sadly, he couldn’t keep from blaming Bush for the war, our currently deplorable economy or 9.5 percent unemployment rate.
When you are able to vote, please try to do better. Encourage your friends to cast their ballots for a president who knows who our enemies are. Vote for a person who is unafraid to define victory in war and offer realistic goals for peace. Elect a head of state who won’t bow to foreign potentates, apologize for our country or send our troops off to fight while simultaneously setting a date for withdrawing them.
Sarah Jane, I know this is a pretty full plate for someone so young and small. The good news is that you were born this week in a land that has been blessed with bounty beyond measure; in a country with the most diverse, prosperous and generous population on earth. Your parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles all know their Lord and savior and are unafraid to sing His praises. That’s a pretty good start on a bright future. Meanwhile, I will keep praying.
— Oliver North is a nationally syndicated columnist, the host of “War Stories” on Fox News Channel and the author of “American Heroes.”
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