Trumpies went ballistic this week at what they perceived as a direct attack on their Fearful Leader, claiming it was a call for revolution and rebellion against their Beloved Don-Don.
It seems the NPR public broadcasting network presented a line-by-line Twitter feed of the Declaration of Independence as their stations broadcast a reading of the document, as it has every July 4 for nearly thirty years.
Those who saw only the Twitter feed immediately interpreted the presentation as an attack on the current occupant of the Oval Office. The responses included this accusation: "Where is the part about the right to keep and bear arms? Why did NPR delete the part about guns?"
That, of course, is the Second Amendment to the Constitution, written more than a dozen years after the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
The Declaration does, indeed, compile a long list of abuses perpetrated at the time by King George III. But many modern Twitter followers saw only "propaganda" by NPR against the current president.
"This is why you're going to get defunded," said one twit to NPR. Another called the NPR feed "spam," and said he would stop following NPR postings.
And according to a Washington Post analysis, "the blowback increased when the tweets reached the portion of the Declaration that outlined, in unsparing detail, all the ways Britain's George III had wronged the then-Colonies."
These included lines that the ruler "has obstructed the administration of justice," and that "A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."
Such lines prompted many Trumpies to assume a reference to the current president.
And as for the Declaration line that "it is the Right of the People to abolish" such an abusive government "and to institute new Government," this prompted another Trumpie to accuse NPR of "calling for revolution," and that its action was out to "condone violence while trying to sound 'patriotic.'"
So how is it that so many Americans fail to recognize the words of one of the founding documents of the republic, and react so defensively to a perceived assault on their Ignoramus in Chief? It's not as if copies of the Declaration of Independence and of the Constitution are hard to find. Every year, newspapers around the country reprint the text of the Declaration on July 4, Independence Day. And this year, the television network HBO presented a documentary of prominent Americans, including all living presidents, reading the entire texts of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Could it be a fault in the American education system, that school children are not exposed to the words and sentiments that helped to found the nation? If that's true, then how to rationalize drastic cuts in federal funding for the public schools of America?
Finally, here's another question, which has been posted several times on this blog: How dumb do the politicians think we the people are? One possible answer has been, "Very."
Sadly, that answer may be correct.
It's time for Americans to prove the politicians wrong.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
Pause to Reflect
Patriotism is not measured by who wears the gaudiest flag display theme nor by who makes the loudest and longest speechifying pronouncement of his or her level of loyalty.
Rather, it is shown on the 364 days other than the one marking a national day, whether that day be July 3 in Canada, July 4 in the U.S., July 14 in France or any other day celebrated by any other nation.
Many veterans refuse to wear a lapel flag pin to "prove" their patriotism, since they believe they have already done so through their military service. In fact, most combat veterans do not talk about their experiences at all, no matter how severe. They feel no need to "prove" their patriotism.They do, however, feel a need to meet occasionally with others, perhaps to share their experiences and relieve leftover trauma, but more likely simply to be with others who have "been there, done that" and who find some comfort in a social gathering with others with similar experience.
Often, it is those who have not "been there" and who have not "done that" who have the most need to prove their own worth and patriotism by wearing the biggest flag pin or the loudest tie or the gaudiest shirt of national colors.
It's good to honor the fallen and the survivors, as well as those now serving in the military. And "it is altogether fitting and proper that we do this," as President Abraham Lincoln said at Gettysburg in 1863.
"But in a larger sense," Lincoln added, "we cannot dedicate -- we cannot consecrate -- we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract."
Those who have been through the worst are often the first to shuck off the loud and flagrant praise from those who have not "been there" and who have not "done that," especially from those who try to take advantage of a patriotic occasion to advance their own political agendas and careers.
So let us all remember and honor those who have struggled -- quietly or though military combat -- to keep the nation strong and confident in citizens' campaign to maintain the freedoms Americans enjoy today.
And may the current occupant of the Oval Office take note of this day and act as though he deserves the title of president of the United States of America.
Rather, it is shown on the 364 days other than the one marking a national day, whether that day be July 3 in Canada, July 4 in the U.S., July 14 in France or any other day celebrated by any other nation.
Many veterans refuse to wear a lapel flag pin to "prove" their patriotism, since they believe they have already done so through their military service. In fact, most combat veterans do not talk about their experiences at all, no matter how severe. They feel no need to "prove" their patriotism.They do, however, feel a need to meet occasionally with others, perhaps to share their experiences and relieve leftover trauma, but more likely simply to be with others who have "been there, done that" and who find some comfort in a social gathering with others with similar experience.
Often, it is those who have not "been there" and who have not "done that" who have the most need to prove their own worth and patriotism by wearing the biggest flag pin or the loudest tie or the gaudiest shirt of national colors.
It's good to honor the fallen and the survivors, as well as those now serving in the military. And "it is altogether fitting and proper that we do this," as President Abraham Lincoln said at Gettysburg in 1863.
"But in a larger sense," Lincoln added, "we cannot dedicate -- we cannot consecrate -- we cannot hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract."
Those who have been through the worst are often the first to shuck off the loud and flagrant praise from those who have not "been there" and who have not "done that," especially from those who try to take advantage of a patriotic occasion to advance their own political agendas and careers.
So let us all remember and honor those who have struggled -- quietly or though military combat -- to keep the nation strong and confident in citizens' campaign to maintain the freedoms Americans enjoy today.
And may the current occupant of the Oval Office take note of this day and act as though he deserves the title of president of the United States of America.
Monday, July 3, 2017
War of Words
The president of the United States has declared war on the free and independent American press.
By his words and actions, he has repeatedly attempted to stifle disagreement and criticism, stooping to venal personal attacks bordering on the obscene against those who hold him accountable for his behavior and policies.
News flash to the Oval Office: You cannot fire them, and any attempt to stop journalists from doing their jobs will only bring increased focus on your own misdeeds.
On this Independence Day, let this also be Free Press Day, celebrating the First Amendment of the Constitution as American journalism reaffirms its right and its duty to keep the public informed of what government leaders are doing and saying.
The potential consequence of the continuing verbal assault and abusive behavior of the current president, in which he often suggests violence against opponents ("I'd like to punch him in the face." ... "He should be roughed up." ... "I could shoot somebody in the middle of Fifth Avenue and not lose any votes.") can easily lead to violence. In fact, it already has, as his supporters beat up on protestors and others who disagree with him at rallies.
Therefore, a case can be made for a charge of inciting to riot.
This is not appropriate behavior for an elected leader of a free society, but this leader's behavior borders on that and has actually crossed the line several times.
Few presidents in the past have enjoyed negative reports from journalists, but most have acknowledged that reporters have a job to do, and that is to provide truthful information to the public. In doing that, they strive to maintain neutrality, and to keep themselves out of the story.
This president, however, regularly makes them part of the story, with his vehement, vile vituperation against journalists who present negative views and reports on his actions and behavior.
Suppressing a free press is the first step on the road to a dictatorship, and the evidence is growing that this is the goal of the current occupant of the Oval Office.
So to prevent this, journalists have an obligation to continue their efforts. With that in mind, consider these quotes from American history:
"Be watchful in your states as well as in the federal government." -- Andrew Jackson.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it." -- Thomas Paine.
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." -- Wendell Phillips, 19th Century activist.
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither." -- Benjamin Franklin.
"It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power." -- John Adams.
Where does Donald Trump fit in that equation?
By his words and actions, he has repeatedly attempted to stifle disagreement and criticism, stooping to venal personal attacks bordering on the obscene against those who hold him accountable for his behavior and policies.
News flash to the Oval Office: You cannot fire them, and any attempt to stop journalists from doing their jobs will only bring increased focus on your own misdeeds.
On this Independence Day, let this also be Free Press Day, celebrating the First Amendment of the Constitution as American journalism reaffirms its right and its duty to keep the public informed of what government leaders are doing and saying.
The potential consequence of the continuing verbal assault and abusive behavior of the current president, in which he often suggests violence against opponents ("I'd like to punch him in the face." ... "He should be roughed up." ... "I could shoot somebody in the middle of Fifth Avenue and not lose any votes.") can easily lead to violence. In fact, it already has, as his supporters beat up on protestors and others who disagree with him at rallies.
Therefore, a case can be made for a charge of inciting to riot.
This is not appropriate behavior for an elected leader of a free society, but this leader's behavior borders on that and has actually crossed the line several times.
Few presidents in the past have enjoyed negative reports from journalists, but most have acknowledged that reporters have a job to do, and that is to provide truthful information to the public. In doing that, they strive to maintain neutrality, and to keep themselves out of the story.
This president, however, regularly makes them part of the story, with his vehement, vile vituperation against journalists who present negative views and reports on his actions and behavior.
Suppressing a free press is the first step on the road to a dictatorship, and the evidence is growing that this is the goal of the current occupant of the Oval Office.
So to prevent this, journalists have an obligation to continue their efforts. With that in mind, consider these quotes from American history:
"Be watchful in your states as well as in the federal government." -- Andrew Jackson.
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must undergo the fatigue of supporting it." -- Thomas Paine.
"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." -- Wendell Phillips, 19th Century activist.
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither." -- Benjamin Franklin.
"It is weakness rather than wickedness which renders men unfit to be trusted with unlimited power." -- John Adams.
Where does Donald Trump fit in that equation?
Moral Principles and Hypocrisy
Set aside the debate over whether health care is a right for all or a privilege of the wealthy and consider this:
Many conservatives and Republicans claim to follow Christian values, but their actions and words often say otherwise.
"American values include taking care of the least of us," said Michael Steele, former national chairman of the Republican Party, to television host Bill Maher Friday evening.
And they often emphasize that we should treat other people as we would want to be treated.
Those who have ever read or heard even partial readings from the Bible will recognize both ideas as being a core of Christian teaching. More important, however, is that both are an important part of human morals, which are independent of religious teachings by any belief system.
To claim adherence to moral principles, as often taught by religious groups, and to act otherwise shows a high level of hypocrisy.
Hmmm. Hypocrisy among politicians. What a concept. Who knew.
Nevertheless, many of them persist. They preach the value and importance of moral principles and loyalty to core values of the American -- and human -- tradition but their actions speak louder than their shallow words.
This is not to say that such hypocrisy is found among conservative Republicans only. But while they chatter and promise that a new health care system will be beautiful for everyone, with lower costs and better benefits for rich and poor alike, once they achieved dominance in Washington, their new plan would reduce benefits and increase costs for those most in need of health care assistance, while sharply cutting taxes on the wealthy, whose primary need is for more money in their bank accounts.
Morality dictates that we help those in need, and this part of the human moral code is reinforced and emphasized by many spiritual and religious traditions.
To claim and act otherwise is to show an attitude that says those in need are somehow being punished by some Higher Power, so it is not for people, no matter how wealthy, to contradict this. Yet these same claimants persist in preaching the moral value of helping others in need, even as they fail to act on their talk.
And this, by definition, is hypocrisy.
Many conservatives and Republicans claim to follow Christian values, but their actions and words often say otherwise.
"American values include taking care of the least of us," said Michael Steele, former national chairman of the Republican Party, to television host Bill Maher Friday evening.
And they often emphasize that we should treat other people as we would want to be treated.
Those who have ever read or heard even partial readings from the Bible will recognize both ideas as being a core of Christian teaching. More important, however, is that both are an important part of human morals, which are independent of religious teachings by any belief system.
To claim adherence to moral principles, as often taught by religious groups, and to act otherwise shows a high level of hypocrisy.
Hmmm. Hypocrisy among politicians. What a concept. Who knew.
Nevertheless, many of them persist. They preach the value and importance of moral principles and loyalty to core values of the American -- and human -- tradition but their actions speak louder than their shallow words.
This is not to say that such hypocrisy is found among conservative Republicans only. But while they chatter and promise that a new health care system will be beautiful for everyone, with lower costs and better benefits for rich and poor alike, once they achieved dominance in Washington, their new plan would reduce benefits and increase costs for those most in need of health care assistance, while sharply cutting taxes on the wealthy, whose primary need is for more money in their bank accounts.
Morality dictates that we help those in need, and this part of the human moral code is reinforced and emphasized by many spiritual and religious traditions.
To claim and act otherwise is to show an attitude that says those in need are somehow being punished by some Higher Power, so it is not for people, no matter how wealthy, to contradict this. Yet these same claimants persist in preaching the moral value of helping others in need, even as they fail to act on their talk.
And this, by definition, is hypocrisy.
Independence Day
"All men are created equal ..." Declaration of Independence
"I am the president, and they're not." -- Donald Trump
This president is an embarrassment to America, and this is not the first time he has claimed to be more equal than others.
Courtesy, civility and respect are words that do not apply to this person. He came to the presidency by rigging the system that was designed to keep out such as he -- incompetent, ignorant demagogues who know just barely enough to become successful in business but are incapable of transferring that small knowledge in one field to the universe of expertise needed to lead a nation.
Meanwhile, the criticism continues throughout free America, where journalists, members of Congress and the general public exercise their unalienable right and duty to hold accountable any government official who fails in his job.
In retaliation, this Oval Office job holder pounces on critics as purveyors of "fake news," insisting that the only real truth is found in his private world of "alternative facts." But in doing so, he provides more fodder for information-hungry readers and TV viewers.
The free press dutifully publishes his rants, since he is the chief executive of the American government, but also puts them in context with other issues that are clearly more important, as well as explaining why the raging accusations and personal attacks on individual critics are misleading, incomplete, and often flat-out lies.
May it always be so. And as long as the Constitution and the First Amendment remain in effect, it will be.
Unless, of course, the dictator-in-waiting attempts to suspend the Constitution and nullify the Bill of Rights.
It's been tried before, through a federal law passed in 1798 making it a crime to criticize the government. That didn't last, however, and the president who tried it was ousted in next election two years later.
This time, however, it may be critical that Americans not wait until the end of his term before firing this president. His abuses are so egregious that it is crucial he be removed from office as soon as possible.
When a long train of abuses makes it necessary for a people to sever the ties that connect them to a president, a decent respect for the opinions of the world requires that they declare the causes that impel them to the separation.
The list of abuses perpetrated by this president has been catalogued and published many times by the free and independent American press, even as the list continues to grow daily.
Now it is time to act, and Congress, with its elected representatives of the American people, has the authority and the responsibility to remove him from the Oval Office.
There are at least two ways, both enumerated in the Constitution, and until Congress acts, the free and independent press of America will continue to exercise its right and responsibility to expose this president's lies, illegal acts and unconstitutional behavior, no matter how often or how hard the president attacks those who dare to disagree with him.
The alternative must never become fact.
"I am the president, and they're not." -- Donald Trump
This president is an embarrassment to America, and this is not the first time he has claimed to be more equal than others.
Courtesy, civility and respect are words that do not apply to this person. He came to the presidency by rigging the system that was designed to keep out such as he -- incompetent, ignorant demagogues who know just barely enough to become successful in business but are incapable of transferring that small knowledge in one field to the universe of expertise needed to lead a nation.
Meanwhile, the criticism continues throughout free America, where journalists, members of Congress and the general public exercise their unalienable right and duty to hold accountable any government official who fails in his job.
In retaliation, this Oval Office job holder pounces on critics as purveyors of "fake news," insisting that the only real truth is found in his private world of "alternative facts." But in doing so, he provides more fodder for information-hungry readers and TV viewers.
The free press dutifully publishes his rants, since he is the chief executive of the American government, but also puts them in context with other issues that are clearly more important, as well as explaining why the raging accusations and personal attacks on individual critics are misleading, incomplete, and often flat-out lies.
May it always be so. And as long as the Constitution and the First Amendment remain in effect, it will be.
Unless, of course, the dictator-in-waiting attempts to suspend the Constitution and nullify the Bill of Rights.
It's been tried before, through a federal law passed in 1798 making it a crime to criticize the government. That didn't last, however, and the president who tried it was ousted in next election two years later.
This time, however, it may be critical that Americans not wait until the end of his term before firing this president. His abuses are so egregious that it is crucial he be removed from office as soon as possible.
When a long train of abuses makes it necessary for a people to sever the ties that connect them to a president, a decent respect for the opinions of the world requires that they declare the causes that impel them to the separation.
The list of abuses perpetrated by this president has been catalogued and published many times by the free and independent American press, even as the list continues to grow daily.
Now it is time to act, and Congress, with its elected representatives of the American people, has the authority and the responsibility to remove him from the Oval Office.
There are at least two ways, both enumerated in the Constitution, and until Congress acts, the free and independent press of America will continue to exercise its right and responsibility to expose this president's lies, illegal acts and unconstitutional behavior, no matter how often or how hard the president attacks those who dare to disagree with him.
The alternative must never become fact.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
Rhyme Time
Old King Coal was a dirty old soul,
Dethroned some decades ago.
But now "clean coal" is a wonderful goal
And a practical goal, says T.
Ignore all the rules
Set up by the schools
Of scientists, and set workers free.
Without regulation,
We'll be a great nation,
And business will really get high.
Ignore factual heft
There are few miners left
And many more workers sell pot.
But that doesn't matter
To the current mad hatter
He owes his core
To the company store
And fact is just an alternative.
Dethroned some decades ago.
But now "clean coal" is a wonderful goal
And a practical goal, says T.
Ignore all the rules
Set up by the schools
Of scientists, and set workers free.
Without regulation,
We'll be a great nation,
And business will really get high.
Ignore factual heft
There are few miners left
And many more workers sell pot.
But that doesn't matter
To the current mad hatter
He owes his core
To the company store
And fact is just an alternative.
Read the Constitution
High praise to the New York Times on this Independence Day weekend for printing a special section on the Constitution of the United States of America, in the hope that the current president might read it.
Let this be his homework assignment, since he has given no sign that he has ever read it, and shows little interest in doing so now.
The special section for the Sunday edition of the paper is a fold-out spread showing the Constitution, with a two-page introduction by conservative columnist Garry Wills, along with some annotations and explanations on the text of the Constitution by experts.
For those Americans who have not read it recently, and for citizens of the world who look to the United States for an example of what a democracy should be, this is an excellent opportunity to understand the foundations of what makes America a great country, as well as to understand how and why the new guy in the Oval Office violates many of the principles established in the nation's founding document.
Here's a link to the text of the U.S. Constitution, available via the New York Times website as well as many other online sources: https://www.nytimes.com/topic/subject/united-states-constitution?8qa
Let this be his homework assignment, since he has given no sign that he has ever read it, and shows little interest in doing so now.
The special section for the Sunday edition of the paper is a fold-out spread showing the Constitution, with a two-page introduction by conservative columnist Garry Wills, along with some annotations and explanations on the text of the Constitution by experts.
For those Americans who have not read it recently, and for citizens of the world who look to the United States for an example of what a democracy should be, this is an excellent opportunity to understand the foundations of what makes America a great country, as well as to understand how and why the new guy in the Oval Office violates many of the principles established in the nation's founding document.
Here's a link to the text of the U.S. Constitution, available via the New York Times website as well as many other online sources: https://www.nytimes.com/topic/subject/united-states-constitution?8qa
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