These are the times that try men's souls.

Excerpted from JOHN O'NEILL's essay

On December 23, 1776, with Washington's army freezing in tatters at Morristown, Thomas Paine in "Common Sense" wrote, "These are the times that try men's souls." He noted many mistakes by the American army, but noted that "tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered" and that heaven charges a high price for freedom because it is so precious. It was a time when "the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot shrink ... " but those who stood firm would someday receive the love and appreciation of the nation.

Brilliant and inspiring, is this quote, especially in context of today's difficult and unpopular effort in Iraq. Yes it is difficult to stand up and back the mission through the constant drumbeat of bombings and beheadings reported by NPR and others. I will not be distracted by minor accusations of supposed coalition misdoings; I will not be deterred by quibbles about equipment or numbers of troops; I will not be swayed by calls for withdraw from weak-kneed American politicians. Tyranny (and terrorism) is not easily conquered, and I will stand and support the effort resolutely.