Archives
Subject: VOICE OF DEMOCRACY
Time: 3:42:00 PM EST
Author: ccnccc
Mood: Quiet
Music: AS THE WORLD TURNS
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the letter of Raymond Peterson from VFW District 9, Post 6133, in Owensville, MO. Raymond read his essay to the VFW Members, during our District Meeting at Post 2657, Fulton, MO. I was so impressed, that I asked for a copy, if he had no problem with his entry appearing on the Internet, in my Journal. Permission was granted and a copy of the essay follows.
VOICE OF DEMOCRACY.......
Freedom. The word that trickles down the path of our nations history. The proclamation that has rung throughout Americans ears for centuries.
What does it mean? Independence from tyranny? The ability to resist oppressors? Or could freedom simply be the decision of which burden to bear?
On July 4th of 1776, the load of truth, dignity, and honor was willingly placed on men who were tired of a corrupt leader. Our forefathers and our veterans carried the weight of freedom on their backs, and paid for it with their lives.
We must ask ourselves if we really have the same freedom that generations before us fought and died for. Past generations of people weren't afraid to offend people, Past generations didn't try to mask what they believed. Speaking your mind was something that was allowed without repercussion. But that got lost along the way.
James Madison once said, "I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachment of those in power then by violent and sudden usurpation." Have we simply let true freedom slip from our fingers? I believe we have. In early 1960's, the biggest problem in school was a fight in the hall every once in a while. Now school shooting are on everyone's mind. In the early 50's a family was sacred. A mother raised her children, a father provided for them, and every night they would all sit over a meal and discuss problems and issues. I can't remember the last time I sat down at a dinner table. Where have we gone?
America has become a nation that rejects and accepts every idea that is put in front of them. Religion is a wonderful, moral institution, as long as no one else knows what religion you are. Dignity and honor are taught in schools, but not practiced by our nation's leaders. Homosexuals hold to a theory that their problem is a psychological disease, yet our citizens almost encourage it.
Our so-called freedom has gotten out of hand. The cliche that all is well as long as no one gets hurt is too often used. Theodore Roosevelt wrote, "Order without liberty and liberty without order are equally destructive." Saddam Hussein had liberty without order, Hitler tried to create order without liberty. America stood up to them. But why will we not stand up to those in power who are manipulating the very freedom in which men have painted fields red for time and time again. The famous quote by John F. Kennedy says, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." So for my country, I rise against the people who use political correctness as a shield to distort freedom from what it once was. Because, as Daniel Webster said, "The contest for ages has been to rescue liberty from the grasp of executive power." My freedom is demonstrated by encoring my leaders use of honesty and valor instead of following them blindly. My freedom is demonstrated by risking my security and my comfort so that others may have it. My freedom is demonstrated by trying to restore the nation back to what it was before all the political correctness took over. A powerful nation that stood behind justice. Although I am not fighting tyranny and terrorism with a rifle in my hand, the hope in my heart and the pride in my country is still the same.
Freedom has it's life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from it's life-giving roots, it will wither and die. "Dwight D. Eisenhower had it right in that quote. "Our freedom must be earned daily. Sacrifices must be given for the cause of freedom."
Throughout history men and women have died for it. Many have been persecuted for it. As Thomas Campbell wrote, "A Patriots blood is the seed of freedom's tree." Veterans, your pain, you suffering, your sweat, and your blood was not given fruitlessly. Our freedom is demonstrated by keeping freedom's tree alive. Thank You.
If, this doesn't tell it like it is, nothing will....................Ringo
Written by ccnccc Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | 
digg this
-
amen to that !
Jari -
Jon, that was one helluva commentary, and I really appreciate whay you said, because, my friend, those are my sentiments exactly.
If this country was to return to the ethics of the 40's and 50's, I sincerely feel that much of the trash we witness on a daily basis, would send a lot of riff raff to the klinker.
So many of our National Leaders wouldn't stand a snow balls chance in hell of surviving in the Military of the 40, 50, and parts of the 60's, and that in itself, is a crying shame, because these are the people who are representing us in the federal government. Those who "set the pace" for our society, and those who are also, screwing all over our military forces, and the operations which they have to perform.
I still, as I always will state, "In order to serve in any elected seat in the House of Congress, one should have served at least ten (10) years in the military, in addition to having retired from the military to run for the seat of the President and the VP." This would give these Leaders the ability to understand government, people, natinal events, and other countries in general. Learning these tangible events, OJT, is not the route to take as it doesn't serve the public in general...Jim -
Very good article. I expect those in Congress to have the same dedication to duty, honor, and country as we expect from all in our military. It is sad to watch members of our House and Senate spew words of hatred towards each other. How do we expect children and young adults to respect order/laws and each other when members of both houses of Congress do not? Take a look at the Congressman from CA, who was sentenced to 8 plus years in jail for bribes he received on military contracts. Had he stolen/took bribes when he served in the military prior to Congress, he would have been thrown out with a BCD or worse, confined in Leavenworth, plus he would have lost all military and VA benefits for life. Our elected officials need to realize they are setting very dangerous examples for others. Our teachers need to get back to teaching as opposed to pushing personal agendas. These divide and conquer tactics are not new to any of us trained in UW. Yet, dividing Americans from within is not in our best interests. Hollywood is pushing every far left cause on Americans everyday, and; almost every TV show or movie would have been banned or censored in the 50's and 60's. Freedom of speech should not give one a license to teach hatred and/or to promote anti social or illegal behavior.
8/16/06 7:57 AM
De Oppresso Liber