"There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people." -- Howard Zinn
They will repeatedly invoke our Constitution in hallowed tones and at the very same moments they will proffer "pure interpretations," "improvements," "modifications," and even outright "repeals" of it's provisions.
They will drape themselves in the language of freedom. They will wrap themselves in the flag. Be mindful. They no more embody even the most basic principles of the former than they deserve to ever be allowed to proclaim protectorate status over the latter.
But, it is still your country. It is still my country. It is still our country. It is still worth fighting for. Those who threaten us must either compromise, concede or be relegated to the shameful places... the dark places... the rustic and xenophobic places where wooden replicas of peaceful and beautiful things are burned and twisted into despairing plots. This, we know how to deal with.
After all, we have fought and won these fights before. We can do it again. We must. The alternative to an honorable victory in this time of unrest is far darker than mere imperial decline.
We also mustn't forget to teach our children that progress comes not from winning the argument today any more than it has come from having done so in the past; It comes from ensuring that those who follow us are better prepared to wage the same battle in the future.
A bit over the top but I appreciate the conviction and passion. We can't afford not to try and I appreciate your writing and clarion call. "You can't have democracy under glass." Cletis Stump from thebookofcletis.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cletis, I ordinarily don't write "speeches" but this was a definite exception.
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