Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

June 13, 2011

When the Soviet Union withdrew its military forces from Hungary in 1990, Moscow had the temerity to demand that Budapest pay nearly a billion dollars in compensation for the supposed investment made during that long occupation. The Hungarians, who neither invited the Soviets nor benefited from their unwanted presence, were understandably outraged.

During a recent visit to Iraq, Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher took a page from the Soviet handbook by suggesting that ?some consideration be given to repaying the United States some of the megadollars we have spent here in the last eight years.? Noting that the U.S. is mired in a deepening economic downturn ? brought on, in large measure, by decades of imperial meddling and aggressive warfare ? Rohrabacher made an appeal to pity: "We could certainly use some people to care about our situation as we have cared about theirs.?

Taken literally, Rohrabacher?s suggestion would require that some large, wealthy foreign power ? such as China, perhaps -- invade and occupy the United States after imposing a murderous decade-long embargo to soften us up. That?s the same peculiar kind of ?caring? Washington inflicted on the Iraqis, who understandably aren?t interested in paying for that supposed privilege.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.