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9/11/2009
Why do Americans forget their past?
How about this for starters: [a]ll men… are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights… That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
Or this: The powers not delegated to the United States by the constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. [10th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States]
Or this: National Socialism as a matter of principle, must lay claim to the right to force its principles on the whole German nation without consideration of previous federated state boundaries, and to educate in its ideas and conceptions…. The National Socialist doctrine is not the servant of individual federated states, but shall some day become the master of the German nation. [Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf]
Or this: In [respect to those with differing opinions] I wish not to insinuate that there may not be a material difference in the purity of their intentions. [These papers are addressed to] the attention of those only, who add to a sincere zeal for the happiness of their country, a temper favourable to a just estimate of the means of promoting it….[Such men] will keep in mind, that they themselves also are but men, and ought not to assume an infallibility in rejudging the fallible opinions of others. [Federalist Papers, No. 37, James Madison. Concerning the difficulties which the convention must have experienced in the formation of a plan. ]
“Letters in Bottles” did a great job with this earlier this week in remembrance of 9/11/2001.
Why do Americans forget their past? Pearl Harbor, Veteran's Day, VE and VJ days.
What happened to the old days? Shortly after the Great War, Armistice Day became an impressive show of patriotism. Parades and banners. A great American tradition alive (but not so well) today in the observance of Veteran's Day.
Why are such reverent and patriotic days as the ones aforementioned not celebrated with the fervor they deserve?
Patriotism has been usurped by ambivalence towards American history, tradition, sacrifice, and sorrow, and I for one am appalled.
President Obama doesn't know the difference between Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. The DNC almost launched a health care reform education/propaganda campaign on September 11th.
Our country saw the worst attack on its own soil, and as troops are still fighting to preserve American safety and freedom, UW students are treating the anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks as an end of summer carnival. The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil Constitution, are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or to be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men. Samuel Adams, October 14, 1771
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
There are many comments I'd like to make in agreement with today's missive, but time and space are, as always, limiting factors.
As I read Jo's reproductions of classic American ideals I am struck by the absence of honor, service and sacrifice in our society today. Underworld organizations in concert with our county's top elected officials conspire to place money and power first in the lives of our countrymen. I've said many times in the last six months that I'm glad I won't be alive to see the future results.
Perhaps if there's hope it will come in the political bloodbath of 2010. I fear, however, that will lead to a real bloodbath in 2012.
Duke (Fri Sep 11 07:52:40 2009)
At 72 I don't think I will have to worry about it, but I see our country's moving either toward more socialism or a national revolution. But what the hell, that's how we got here in the first place, and they say that democracy only has a 200 year life span, so I guess it's time. I'd peg it at around 2025.
It's just a matter of who is going to win, the rich or the poor. If I had to predict I'd give it to the middle class, and the rich will be on the outside looking in. I see land grabs by the masses and the rich scurrying to safer countries.
It's not what I would like to predict for my kids and grandkids, bu the corporate elites want even more and are willing to trash the country getting it.
But in the meantime I would encourage people to understand the definition of Oligarchy, and understand the effects of inequality. Please read the link. This is serious stuff we are messing with.
Jack Lohman (Fri Sep 11 08:13:20 2009)
I just returned from a military reunion last week, where I had this discussion with a former officer from my unit in Vietnam. He has a degree in history from Yale, and is a true history junkie. His take on current events is that about every 75 years America suffers a revolution.
The War for Independence happened in about 1776; add 80 years and you come to the run-up to the Civil War; add another 75 years and you get to the Great Depression of the '20s and '30s and the run-up to WW2; add another 75 or 80 years and you get 2012.
If history is any guide, we're due for something akin to another Civil War, where brother hates brother; father against son, and our little domestic world divided among unyielding opinions and demands. I see it already in the political discourse of our times. And I've seen it in the election of our current President.
Duke (Fri Sep 11 08:50:33 2009)
And Duke, this one is being funded by corporate elites. Look at Obama's rolling over and leaving the insurance industry to continue ripping off the public... even proposing a taxpayer subsidy so poor people can (must!) by insurance. Even though a Medicare-for-all system would be the best for our country (okay, Jo, except for right wingers).
Jack Lohman (Fri Sep 11 09:10:25 2009)
Good words -- important words, especially today -- and so are these:
"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
and
"a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. ... It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
I'm mostly in agreement with Jo, though I suspect I may, in some cases, draw different conclusions from the same premises. I have to strongly disagree with Duke: I hope for fewer bloodbaths of any kind and more respectful dialog, as the political pendulum swings. I do agree with Duke that money and power hold too much sway: a government for the people is not the same as the government for the dollar.
But I disagree again that there is any "absence of honor, service and sacrifice in our society today." I see it every day in co-workers, colleagues and many in our community. And I see it in friends who have served and are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This society is still doing and will do amazing things. But we are less well served by greed or cynicism than we are by history and hope.
One more quote:
"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."
Terry Dawson (Fri Sep 11 09:33:20 2009)
I don't think it has to be either the downfall of our nation and values or a violent civil war again. It all depends on the main stream conservative citizen, who until now has been content to sit on the sidelines and believe everything will turn out ok
I think you have seen a resurgence of conservative minded people(democrat or Republican) finally realizing that if they sit on the sidelines this time our country will be highjacked by a few and we will be helpless to change it.
I hope this extends to the 2010 elections which will probably be the most important elections in our lifetimes. I want to go back to where we used to be and leave a better world for my children and grandchildren.
That's what our forefathers did, as Jo pointed out in her excellent editorial.
It can be done if we remain vigilant and get involved in the process. If we don't the worst will happen and we will regret that we stood by and let it happen.
Mike Thomas (Fri Sep 11 10:44:14 2009)
9/11 isn't America's day. It's Al Qaeda's. Bin Laden would like nothing better for this country to make the attacks central to our identity. (Terrorism is about scaring people, you know.) Obsessing over threats will continue to cost us money in kabuki security measures that do nothing but allow politicians to pound their chests. That sort of thinking also led us into a stupid and unnecessary war in Iraq. Since modern American politics is in part about claiming victimhood and 9/11 martyrology helps conservatives paint themselves as victims, we'll continue to hear a lot of arguments like those in this post. Remember, yes. Mourn, yes. But don't accuse your fellow citizens of frivolity for not wearing black and staying home with the doors locked every September 11.
Some of the comments make me want to remind you that Aristotle wrote about how the younger generations of Athens were going to hell. People - especially old, conservative people - tend to think that the world is changing for worse. Sometimes it is. But sometimes it's just changing. And many times, for the better.
BTW, if and when a terrorist attack occurs on American soil again, I look forward to your post blaming the liberal traitors in our midst. As you write it, think about how the vast majority of the American left reacted to 9/11 - we rallied around a unelected president of dubious talent because he was the only thing the country had. Only after he launched a dumb war in Iraq under false pretenses, timed the vote on it for maximum political effect in the 2002 elections, and then conducted it with near-criminal incompetence did he lose the support of not only the left but most of the country on security issues.
Bob (Sat Sep 12 12:19:08 2009)
Jack, it's estimated the Federal govt. has spent $3 BILLION to "save" $350 million in terms of oil used by the US, in the cash for clunkers program. This program is obviously there to benefit the rich, as they are the only ones who can afford new car payments; they are the only ones who can afford the depreciation on a new car. I certainly didn't see any benefit form this program, and I object to govt theft of my money to fund programs like these!
We hear a lot about the bailouts: WHO was bailed out? The BANKERS, who are one of the biggest lobbying groups there is! It was wrong for Bush to bail them out, and more wrong for "Bushama" to keep sending TAXPAYERS' money into that black hole.
But what about the big Medicare bailout? Have you even heard of it? Yes, the feds are already taking from other segregated funds, to make up the shortfall. The total unfunded "obligation" for Medicare is $36.3 TRILLION. WHO WILL PAY FOR THIS!?
Does it make sense to say you'll send you kids to Yale, when your job only pays $12/hr, you have no savings, you live in a trailer, and drive a beatup pickup?
Much less does it make sense to expect the govt. to pay for something WE CANNOT AFFORD. AND they are already driving a "Mercedes", and living in a "mansion", NONE of which is paid for! And now we are to expect them to splash even more money (they don't have) around?
If we get govt-funded healthcare, I expect the cash-for-clunkers ratio will look conservative in comparison. Ask yourself, what happens when other nations stop buying Treasuries? What happens when everyone wakes up to the fact that the fiat money now flying out of the "Federal" Reserve (aka private banks) is paper, and nothing more?
Will we be taking wheelbarrows full of it to market? I seem to remember another country that had the same problem, that also had a charismatic young leader...
emily matthews (Mon Sep 14 09:43:36 2009)
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