Ignorance is bliss, I guess.
ML/NJ
The "struggle" also has produced some exceptional thought leaders--leaders whose words, though separated by centuries from the Founders' own declarations, reiterate and confirm the desire that, "this nation, under God," may have a "new burst of freedom" (Lincoln).
The following is an excerpt from the "Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon" (1886) (celebrating America's 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence) by a Black Ohio Legislator and A.M.E. Bishop Benjamin W. Arnett on "The Greatness of America" - Note that this Sermon is delivered only a few years after the end of the Civil War by this outstanding scholar/legislator/Bishop.
"Let us see what it is that makes us so great; wherein lies our strength. What has made us one of the greatest powers of the earth, politically and intellectually? Have we come to the conclusion that it is Righteousness that exalteth a nation? We have met to-day at the request of the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, and also the Governor of our beloved State, Rutherford B. Hayes. For what? Why call us from our homes? Why come to the house of God? Why not go to the hall of mirth and to the places of amusement to-day? No that is not what they want us to do. We are commanded to go to our 'several places of worship, and there offer up thanks to Kind Providence which has brought our nation through the scenes of another year, and blessed the land with peace, plenty and prosperity.' Then as Americans we have reason to rejoice and congratulate ourselves on the greatness of our beloved country; at this the close of the first hundred years of experimental government of the people, by the people, and for the people. To be a citizen of this vast country is something, and to share in its privileges and duties is more than something." - Dr. Benjamin W. Arnett, 1876 "Centennial Thanksgiving Sermon" - Library of Congress - African-American SectionIf current generations of youth in America go to the LOC web site and read this lengthy Address by a remarkable Black scholar of history, Ohio State Legislator, and A.M.E. Bishop, who had lived through the years surrounding the Civil War, then their perspective might be enhanced, enlarged and encouraged by their pride in such an intellectual giant from America's history.
“it’s the worst of times”
Barone should be ashamed of himself. Dickens started his “The Tale of Two Cities” with “It’s the worst of times, it’s the best of times”.
Anyway, in America we’re certainly, obviously, not in “the worst of times”. Barone has to produce words to stay employed. Too bad these writers have to produce words on a regular schedule even if, when a scheduled time to produce arrives, they have nothing to say.
Barone sometimes does have something worth saying. I always take a look at his writings.
Good grief. This is the quote:
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way—in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only..”
“Amid Complaints, a Reason to Give Thanks”
Stolen from BLAM:
I feel grateful to have been born at the best time in history, in the best country and living conditions in all of human history. I live better than most kings and royalty in all of human history...how could I have been more fortunate?....