Sunday, July 4, 2010

Raise The Flag Higher

The ideals of a country are only as good as the people who give it flesh and blood.

George Takei
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Well, here we are in our 234th year, or is it 235th, and still an independent nation. The United States of America was founded, among other things, on important documents. One of those is our constitution. The Constitution begins "We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union...."

That document is what binds us together as members of free and lasting society. Yet over the years, for one reason or another, people have tried to misinterpret, change or even throw out the document. What happened to "the more perfect Union"?

When I was a youngster in school, there was a practical joke students liked to play on each other. Someone would slap you on the back in a seeming act of friendship only to tape a sign to your back saying "kick me" or "i'm stupid" or some other silly remark. Sometime teachers would enjoy the joke, and make you parade around the classroom passing out papers or something, so that everyone could get a chance to read it before you knew it was there.

With all the back biting and name calling going on in Congress these days I'm surprised they haven't taken to taping signs on each other. Maybe no one has thought of it yet.

I've lived in this country for 71 years and I'm proud to be an American. But I'm not proud of the intolerance, bigotry, bias, prejudice, racism, sexism, antisemitism, islamophobia, homophobia, extremism, fanatical conservatives, fanatical liberals, religious exclusivity, hate crimes, plundering of the poor by the rich, denial of civil rights, litigiousness, selfishness and bellicosity that I see, hear and read about every day.

People want to "take back the country" but only in their own vision of it. The vision is in The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution. I look for compassion, understanding and friendship among Americans, "a more perfect Union."

DB
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Weekend Puzzle

no attempts so far?

A minimalist cryptogram

B'S GHH GH1 TXTPE P.M.

GHH GH1 ZTTHBFI AZURE

1L'O CATPT U R & AYC U R

& BZ U R GHH GH1 2.

BPXBFI NTPHBF

(G L)
DB

10 comments:

Ken Riches said...

Wonderful entry, we need to really get back to our true independent roots.

krissy knox said...

Well said post, dana. Thanks for the reminder today. Yes, we need to go with The Declaration of Independence and The Consitution.

Valerie said...

Beautifully said! Happy Independence Day to you, my friend! xox

krissy knox said...

I must not be functioning a full power. I can't get the puzzle. I did try though, dana.

krissy knox
conntect w me on twitter:
http://twitter.com/iamkrissy

pacifica62 said...

Happy Birthday USA. A time to come together in celebration with picnics, fireworks and flag waving. So many heavy issues and opinions tearing your country apart. Somewhere, somehow in some small town or city your vision for "a more perfect union" does exist. In all of the chaos there has to exist some good that reflects the vision that your forefathers had for these United States of America. A country of compassion, understanding and friendship as your geographical friends have known it. Happy July 4th.

DB said...

Thank you Pacifica. Good to hear from you. I think that small town exists.

D

Big Mark 243 said...

I know the place... 'Anytown, USA'. A place where if you give people a chance to show you how good they can be that they will. And, IMO, they usually do.

pacifica62 said...

If you will allow me one more comment ........I know many Americans and they are, without question, very kind, compassionate, understanding, friendly and generous to a fault. They would give you the shirt off their back and they would give it with a smile. I have to believe that the majority of Americans still fit this description of being hardworking, decent people who want the American dream for themselves and their children. They love and serve their country and are proud to call themselves Americans. The politicians, crackpots and zealots that make the news headlines do not represent the people of America. They represent their own self interests and questionable beliefs, and they do not represent the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, the Pledge of Allegiance or that wonderful song “America the Beautiful”. They make a lot of noise and they receive a lot of media attention and, like it or not, they are entitled to voice their opinions. However, the real heroes here are the people quietly working in their communities to make life better for everyone. So many people are hurting, discouraged or have broken spirits and they need hope and comfort for themselves and their families. Those heroes are the ones who should be making the headlines, the ones who make a real difference. You and your readers are amongst them db. That eagle still needs to fly free and proud so keep the faith that things will get better. This Canadian believes that they will.

DB said...

Pacifica, with such a high level of thought and expression as yours you are allowed to make as many comments as you wish.

D

Beth said...

A wonderful entry, D. Far too many are exclusionary rather than inclusive.