walkingman

Yesterday was the 4th of July which commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring the independence of the original thirteen colonies of the United States from Great Britain. The founding fathers such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, John Hancock, and Benjamin Franklin were in favor of independence from Great Britain but to King George and his government they were nothing more than freedom fighters and terrorists. Opinion polls from the time period indicated that one-third of the population supported independence, one-third supported remaining under British rule and one-third did not carry either way. Therefore the revolution was carried out by a minority against the wishes of the majority. What was the role of majority rule and democracy in this movement? Like the Russian Revolution it appears that the American Revolution was led and carried out by a small minority and once this minority won it forced and enforced its views on the rest of the population.
Yesterday my family and I attended several 4th of July events and heard a number of speakers who gave speeches about the founding of this country and the Declaration of Independence. Several even quoted that now famous line from the Declaration, We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. Unfortunately only white men were created equal. When these so-called great men met to create and ratify a Federal Constitution 10 plus years later they decided that a black man should be counted as 3/5 of a white man. So the men who lead the American Revolution were revolutionaries who compromised less than 1/3rd of the population and they spoke about democracy and equality and yet a black man counted as 3/5 of a white man and women had no rights at all. They sound like a very progressive band of rebels. How are they different from the Taliban? Just asking?
Also at these events yesterday we were asked to remember our men and women in the military serving here and abroad. I thought we were celebrating Independence Day yesterday, not Veterans Day, not Armed Forces Day. I subscribe to the Department of Defenses news service and read each and every casualty notice it publishes. I want to know the names, ages, and info about each service member who gives his or her life in defense of this country. I say a prayer for each one of them. Yet as a Christian I also have to love my enemy so I also pray for the KIA of the Taliban, of Al Qaeda, and the other groups in Afghanistan and Iraq. I also pray for the civilian dead and injured in both countries. It hurts my heart to see anyone injured in war. I wonder if any of these speakers has taken the time to read the names of our dead soldiers. It is one thing to invoke the armed forces in patriotic speeches but it is another thing to actually do something once the crowds are gone. What pisses me off the most is that many of these speakers, especially the politicians, have never served. I put my time and still have friends serving over there. That is why I look at the names, cry and pray. It is personal. But just evoking the armed forces to get the vote is wrong.
I always thought one or both of Bushs daughters should have joined up and done a tour of duty. If Daddy was willing to send other Americans sons and daughters into harms way why didnt he have the guts to send his own daughters there? I think we should require the military age children of Congressmen, Senators, the President, and Cabinet members to join the services and see combat. It might make peace negotiations move faster. Biden and McCain both had sons who saw service and I respect them both for this move.
I just wanted to present a different perspective on American history. We think we can bring democracy to the world and that somehow the American way is the best way. We would do a better job if we saw ourselves as the rest of the world sees us.