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I had an eye-opening conversation with a young man the other day. He enjoys history and keeps up with wide-eyed curiosity about the news events of today's world. He has a fascination with military operations and battleships in particular.
He recently toured the exhibits at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii with his family and absorbed many facts about World War II. He paid attention to details about the mighty ships that were utilized in that great war.
I listened intently as he showed me a tiny replica battleship that he acquired during his trip to Pearl Harbor. He explained how the United States Navy had and continues to have a great Navy. If he were to join the military, he said he would consider the Navy first.
However, with a most sincere look he said, "We don't want to go to war with China. They have a bigger Navy than the United States." Yet, he was quick to add that he believes the U.S. could win a naval war against China because he is sure we have better intelligence and advanced capabilities on the sea. He said a nuclear war would be the worst thing for all nations.
This conversation left me in awe of how this young man thought about his country, world happenings and the future. I was amazed at how educated he was on these topics. Did I mention that this young man is 7 years old?
While this boy child was at the Pearl Harbor museum and displays, he read and listened to the various kiosks of information.
He brought that information home and shared it with me.
Never in my wildest dreams would I have believed someone of his age would be that in tune with our world or the idea of war. Shouldn't he be riding his bicycle with his friends and running his remote controlled car instead of thinking about a war with China?
But then again I think he is better informed and knowledgeable than many adults I know. We claim to be a society of modern technology and gadgets that are supposed to make our lives easier. Yet just because we have our eyes glued to screens doesn't mean we are informed.
There are fewer and fewer true news outlets that report facts without too much opinion. Newspapers are still among the best sources for that style of news.
The best thing you can do for yourselves, your children and grandchildren is to keep up with the goings on around us. You need to know about fentanyl, illegals and their threat to our country, the uptick in crime in our major cities and yes, what China is up to these days.
If a 7-year-old can do it, so can all of us.
Heather Ziegler can be reached via email at hziegler@theintelligencer.net.