My uncle, a former military service member (could not serve in Vietnam b/c his father passed away and they wouldn't let him go over) sent me an email where he very carefully outlined his reason for voting for John McCain. His reason amounts to this: John McCain is better equipped to stop the spread of Muslim Extremists and better understands their threat. (his email is quoted below my response).
My response to my uncle is below the fold and I humbly hope it may be of some benefit to others:
Dear Uncle Traveling Matt (edited for anonymity)
Those who underestimate the fact that extremist muslims will spread their religion through violence do so in complete ignorance of theological history. It is true, there are millions of muslims who are peace-loving people who want only to spread their religion through good deeds, peaceful worship and a benevolent circulation of their teachings; however, where those efforts do not win converts, there are always extremists who will spread their religion's dominance through violence and harm.
Those who doubt this need look no further than the spread of Christianity throughout the world as historical proof this is how religions spread on our planet. From the fall of the Western Empire in the 5th Century to the Crusades in the 11th Century, to the Spanish Inquisition of the 15th Century, and the Native American Wars of the 17th Century -- Christian history shows us all that any religion can and will spread throughout our planet through love, good deeds, peaceful preaching, censorship, war, murder and genocide.
Extremist Muslims are fully aware of this historical "organizing strategy" and are no less prepared to use all of these tactics than were popes, Roman emperors, European monarchs, American colonists and Nazi fascists.
It's dubious for anyone on this planet to ignore this history or to pretend that extremists Muslim's have no intent to replicate it in their efforts to spread their religion.
I also agree that it's crucial that not just every American but every world citizen understand this history and stop ignoring the fact that Muslim extremists will act no differently in spreading their religion than any other religion has in the past. It's also important that every US and world citizen understand that this is how religions spread. ALL of them. (except Buddhism). And also note that there is not one shred of historical precedent that says a peaceful embrace or diplomacy will stop the spread of a religion propelled by extremists. It is also essential that all American's and world citizens understand that history proves that violence, preemptive war and aggression has never succeeded in stopping the spread of a religion propelled by extremists.
The very salient fact that this theological history illustrates is this: The fact that Christianity is now the world's most populous religion demonstrates that no amount of peaceful intent, personal embrace, diplomacy, armed conflict, preemptive war, or overt aggression will stop a religion from spreading itself. This was also true of the worlds once dominant religions: Greek Polytheism, Islamism, Judaism, etc. etc.
So, what does this mean for the US Presidency?
I do not believe either or Obama or McCain have any more strength, grit, power, fighting spirit, personal courage or aura of light surrounding them than leaders throughout history had when faced with similar threats of spreading extremist religions. Neither of them is as powerful as the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus. Neither is as honorable or gritty as Tecumseh, Sitting Bull, Red Cloud or Crazy Horse. Neither of them exhibits the aura and luminance of Mohandas Ghandi or Mordecai Anielewcz. Theological hIstory shows us that no man or woman commanding even the best armies is equal to the task of stopping the spread of a religion propelled by extremists. Anyone who thinks that John McCain (or Barack Obama for that matter) is capable of changing that fact or altering it in even the slightest, again, does so despite thousands of years of world history proving otherwise.
Nonetheless, there are other matters which the President of the United States does have the ability to make a significant impact on. You've made it clear that Muslim extremists and terrorists are the most important for you. Hopefully you'll reconsider McCain's ability to counteract this and look at the many other areas where Barack Obama has the judgement, intelligence, and energy to make a difference.
As Shakespeare wrote:
The world is grown so bad
That wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch.
MY UNCLES EMAIL TO ME:
My Personal Opinion From Terrorist to President.......
For those who have an interest (and their may not be many), here is my opinion regarding the terrorist threat to world freedom and the Presidency of our nation.
The Terrorist Threat
The underlying dynamics behind the terrorist fight around the world with Muslim extremist, is deep rooted and difficult to counter. It is growing in Europe where governments avoid the fight and allow Muslim law to govern Muslims in parts of their country often in place of their country's own law. It is good for every American to understand the foundation and believe system behind this deep rooted threat. Many American's oppose the war in Iraq but in doing so fail to understand the nature of the terrorist threat. Fighting in Iraq was necessary to counter this threat, not for military advantage or oil but for ideological reasons. Someone, America, had to stand up and fight the extremist where they are strongest, not for our freedom but for the freedom of Muslims so they can gain the strength to counter the intimidation of the Muslim extremist within their own ranks who seek domination and control of their fellow Muslim's. Given the stakes, Muslim extremist flooded to Iraq because they knew this was a battle of ideology and if American troops succeeded in countering their ability to dominate and control their fellow Muslim's it would impede their efforts to dominate and control a country and their ultimate plan for ideological domination would have a serious set back.
America's initial plan when it invaded Iraq in hind sight was militarily and politically over simplistic and overly optimistic; it underestimated the enemy and the time and cost to execute freedom from extremist control. We are finally now succeeding in Iraq and the extremist are being defeated and the Iraq Muslim population is standing on its own as a nation that will stand out as an example of what is necessary to counter the real threat to freedom, which is Muslim extremist within Muslim homes, clans and tribes committed to dominating their fellow Muslims and with that domination whole countries. The lives America has lost in the Iraq conflict was not just for America, but for the people of Iraq who have had the courage to face the extremist within their ranks and because of that are now able to self-govern from their own beliefs not ours, without the fear and intimidation of extremist who imposed extremist beliefs upon them. They are a brave people and we will leave them stronger with the freedom to find their own destiny within their own culture. I believe we will sooner than later reduce our forces in Iraq as their own security forces are stronger and more capable of countering the extremist threats within their country.
I believe it is essential that every American understand the Muslim extremist methodology. Most of course do not, as most are concerned with the economic and social problems we face here in America. But all should, because it is a methodology that if not countered on foreign shores will eventually play out within our own country and our own children will face a deeper and more formidable threat to their own freedom and beliefs. We fight the terrorist threat today for our children's tomorrow.
I have had the privilege of seeing this quote chiseled in stone just inside the front door of the CIA's original headquarter building in Langley VA. It's impression on me could not be more profound as brave men and women who's identity remain silent died seeking truth so that we as a nation remain free.
“And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” John 8:31-32
So, Who Should Be The New President of the United States ? : I have kept a very open mind. There is a lot to like about Senator Omaba, especially is ability through persona to unite people, but at the end of the day, persona fades and when you rack it up, his patriotism, love of country, sacrifice for his country, experience and true grit to lead this nation and bring about real positive change pales in comparison to Senator John McCain. There is a guiding light that surrounds John McCain. This election is an election of ideology, there is very little gray and the difference is transparent. John McCain will win this election as the soul of Americans relates to this mans personal history. This is not Obama's time, as his character is still to be defined and his persona, charisma are no substitute for McCain's profound life experience serving this nation.
John McCain truly loves this country and out of love for my country I support John McCain.