Confidence of citizens in the USA

I watched just a portion of the movie "Purple Heart" from 1944 starring Dana Andrews and there was one line that struck me. When the captured aviator, portrayed by Andrews, what threatened by the Japanese official, he responded, "If you do anything to us, our government will not forget it." This, of course, was a counter threat. He meant it. He believed it.

It occurred to me that I don't feel that way at all. When I was in Italy just a few weeks ago, I understood there might be some risk of kidnapping by extremists, but I understood there would be no help forthcoming from my government. This is why the comment was so striking.

How many of us feel the USA will do everything possible to get us back if we fall into the hands of an enemy, terrorist or criminal? At most, my release will become a minor political matter, expendable, lamentable, sad, but nothing close to important, much less urgent.

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