Notes From The Tip of The Spear

What does ‘defending Western Civilization and Judeo-Christian values’ actually entail?

What does ‘defending Western Civilization and Judeo-Christian values’ actually entail?

It’s Day 300 of the October 7 War, and here’s what former US Ambassador to Israel David M. Friedman had to say:

“Israel…literally is the tip of the spear in defense of Western Civilization.”

This raises the spirit. ‘Tip of the spear’ has a certain ring to it, a hardcore-ness.

To be honest I don’t love it.

I don’t think I’m the best fit for “the tip”; if anything I'm more the handle of the spear, at the other end of the spear, the end furthest from the actual tip. I’d go so far as to say I’m more like the sheathe of the spear (do spears have sheathes?).

Also, by virtue of its size, shape, and location on the spear, there doesn’t seem to be much space at the tip. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of the good people who are already there—warriors, their spouses, families, friends. They’re doing a great job over there. Never have so many owed so much to so few in such a small space.

The last thing I want is to get in their way with any non-tip-of-the-spear type behavior. In fact, if it’s the last thing I do, I’d rather not do it. I’m not cut out to make the cut, not the type for the tip.

Look, I can sometimes come across as the kind of person you’d expect to see at the tip of a spear. This especially happens if I haven’t shaved for a few days. I do carry a gun— which beats a spear hands down in my opinion— but if you really need me, put me at the tip of the keyboard instead, definitely not the spear, and for sure not its tip. The pen is mightier than the spear?

Also, where is the spear heading anyway? What is its target and trajectory? And who’s throwing it? Do we have confidence that their aim is true? Are we confident that if the spear we’re on falls someone will come to pick it up? If it gets taken by the enemy, will someone come to retrieve it?

A related question: What is this whole ‘defense of Western Civilization and Judeo-Christian values’ thing? I’ve looked through our family’s official documents folder, and I don’t see anything regarding defense of Civilization or Judeo-Christian values. Nothing in the passports, birth certificates, property agreements, municipal utilities bills, pension statements, nada. There is something about Judeo values in the marriage certificate but I think that’s more relevant to my spouse.

And, what does ‘defending Western Civilization and Judeo-Christian values’ actually entail, on a practical level? Are there any tax breaks on the tip? Danger pay? How much time is this going to take out of my (pretty busy) calendar? Is it a part-time thing, full time? How often do I actually need to be on the spear? Can I do this remote? And what about the kids, where do they fit this in between school, tutors, tennis, gymnastics, play time? Will this help get them off their screens? I’d be open to that.

I Just want to be sure there hasn’t been a misunderstanding, or that I didn’t get the memo with all the details. With great spear comes great responsibility, and I’m not clear on where the spear starts and I end.