And now, to bring this full circle ...
Imagine, seeing what you see in front of us, and worrying about a monument in a park as though it’s a big deal
A lot of us are rearrangng deck chairs on the Titanic.
Myself included, if what you envision comes to pass. I hope it does not.
“Imagine, seeing what you see in front of us, and worrying about a monument in a park as though it’s a big deal”
Its a sign of the times then and a sign of the times now.
It’s amazing, isn’t it?
We’re living in a time where our true enemies are showing us exactly how not to govern. The consequences of his arrogance and incompetence is withering but this nation is resilient. The lessons to learn and capitalize upon could not be clearer. Conservatives have before them a once in a lifetime opportunity to drive irresponsible corrupt dhimmicrats from office by demonstrating the difference between good governance and bad.
But instead we see folks like these who plod along under the weight of an ancestral grudge and who would willingly strike out against an enemy that is largely a chimera. In reliably knee-jerk fashion they slap a label in their perceived foes, “damnyankee” as a focal point for their retribution. Anyone who is perceived as presenting an obstacle to their agenda is branded with the appellation and immediately the character assassinations begin. In essence they are trying to out-obama Øbama. If they had their way they would cleave our nation into untenable fragments. Any victory on their part would be purely Pyrrhic and most assuredly temporary.
I am reminded of the days revolving around the first constitutional convention. The year is 1787, the place is Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The proceedings had been contentious and rancorous. Factions spoke of their issues at the expense of unity. Ben Franklin was 81 years old at the time and irritable from the impact of his Gout. And yet he stood as a voice of moderation. Too weak to stand and orate his case, and in response to Randolf of Virginia who darkly predicted the conventions failure, Franklin had the following spoken on his behalf:
““Mr. President, I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions — even on important subjects — which I once thought right but found to be otherwise.
“The older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment and to pay more respect to the judgment of others. Most men, indeed as well as most sects in religion, think themselves in possession of all truth — and that, wherever others differ from them, it is so far error.
“When you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests and their selfish views. From such an assembly, can a perfect production be expected?
“Thus I consent, sir, to this constitution. The opinions I have had of its errors, I sacrifice to the public good.
“If every one of us, in returning to our constituents, were to report the objections he has had to it and endeavor to gain partisans in support of them, we might prevent its being generally received — and thereby lose all the salutary effects and great advantages.
“Much of the strength and efficiency of any government in procuring and securing happiness to the people depends on the general opinion of the goodness of the government, as well as of the wisdom and integrity of its governors. I hope, therefore, that we shall act heartily and unanimously in recommending this constitution.
“On the whole, sir, I cannot help expressing a wish that every member of the convention who may still have objections to it would, with me, on this occasion doubt a little of his own infallibility — and to make manifest our unanimity.”
As he left the convention he was asked, “What have you given us?” to which Ben Franklin replied:
“A Republic, if you can keep it.”
I may be an old softy but that’s the vision of our nation that I prefer to defend.