Today we honor Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and his epic struggle to make America live up to one its founding First Principles - equality. The Declaration of Independence is rooted in the self-evident truth that "all men are created equal." Of course, at the time of the Founding - and more many generations thereafter - that commitment was honored in the breach when it came to African Americans.
America, however, had committed itself to the principle of equality, and the struggle for racial equality began even before the colonies declared independence. That struggle continued through the ante-bellum period, through the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Progressive Age, WWII, and the civil rights era.
King was an indispensable leader for racial equality. At Grosse Pointe High School in the Detroit area, on March 14, 1968 (just three weeks before he was assassinated) he delivered "The Other America" speech. Those remarks called upon the nation's "sacred heritage" to advocate for racial equality:
We are going to win our freedom because both the sacred heritage of our nation and
the eternal will of the Almighty God are embodied in our echoing demands. . . . .
With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a
beautiful symphony of brotherhood....
At that heart of that sacred heritage was the belief that God had endowed all persons with unalienable rights, and that everyone was equal before Him. That clarion call eventually lead to the passage of the many civil rights era reforms that have brought a greater realization of the First Principle of equality.
We are not done with that struggle, but we have Martin Luther King, Jr. to thank for moving us significantly forward.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sunday, December 27, 2009
The Never Ending Threat of Terror
This week's Christmas Day attack on America serves as a timely reminder that we must continue to be vigilant against terrorists and those who despise America.
When America established a written Constitution to govern our affairs, we became a beacon of hope and liberty to the world - a beacon for the rule of law, based on the consent of the governed.
Those who desire to rule in another way - by divine right, dictatorship, or theological nightmare - shudder at the thought of America's adherence to the rule of law, the Social Compact, and unalienable rights. They can not succeed in the war of ideas, so they try to light themselves on fire and take down hundreds of innocent civilians in the process.
This threat is never ending. America will always be targeted by those who hate liberty and freedom. This is the cost of freedom.
As long as we stay true to our First Principles, America will persevere and continue to light the beacon of liberty for the world. And it is our duty, as Americans, to make sure that we stay that way.
When America established a written Constitution to govern our affairs, we became a beacon of hope and liberty to the world - a beacon for the rule of law, based on the consent of the governed.
Those who desire to rule in another way - by divine right, dictatorship, or theological nightmare - shudder at the thought of America's adherence to the rule of law, the Social Compact, and unalienable rights. They can not succeed in the war of ideas, so they try to light themselves on fire and take down hundreds of innocent civilians in the process.
This threat is never ending. America will always be targeted by those who hate liberty and freedom. This is the cost of freedom.
As long as we stay true to our First Principles, America will persevere and continue to light the beacon of liberty for the world. And it is our duty, as Americans, to make sure that we stay that way.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Keeping The American Spirit Alive - One Student at a Time
In an effort to renew the American spirit, my daughter and I have started Patriot Week. Here is an article from the Oakland Legal News reporting on one of the outgrowths of that project:
The Oakland County Legal News
Patriot Week essay winners shadow judge at Circuit Court
Eric Dunbar and Katreina Ostrander, two sophomore students at Rochester Adams High School, were named winners in their school's essay contest held in conjunction with the week-long Patriot Week celebration in Oakland County.
The essay contest offered to U.S. History classes at Rochester Adams gave students an opportunity to express their views on a quote selected by the school for the contest from James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States, which states: "In a government founded on the sovereignty of all the people, the education of youth is an object of the first importance." The essay winners accurately interpreted the quote and discussed its true meaning. Furthermore, they explained it from a personal perspective, giving an older quote modern relevance.
This year's first ever Patriot Week, held September 11 - 17, was a grassroots effort created by Oakland Circuit Judge Michael Warren and daughter Leah, and recognized by the Michigan State Senate, to honor America, its First Principles, key historical figures, documents and symbols of its history.
Tracye Bello, social studies teacher and organizer of the Rochester Adams High School event, commented: "Patriot Week provided a series of memorable experiences that allowed students to appreciate the modern significance and relevance of historical documents."
As winners, Eric and Katreina were guests of honor at the Oakland County Circuit Court on Thursday, Dec. 3, where they had an opportunity to job shadow Judge Warren. Their job shadowing experience allowed the students to walk with Warren through his work day and witness court procedures and processes in actual situations.
"I am thrilled to have these two young stars spend a day with me learning about the justice system," Warren stated. "During Patriot Week, they learned about the rule of law, unalienable rights, and the importance of limited government. I fully expect that this experience will give them a greater appreciation for the importance of these founding First Principles and how they influence justice today."
Monday, December 7, 2009
Day of Infamy
December 7 to what some have dubbed the "Greatest Generation" was our September 11. Thousands of Americans died in each cowardly attack. They were defining moments - turning points - for our nation. December 7 eventually led to our nation leading the free world during World War II and the Cold War.
If we mean not to denigrate that legacy, we need to continue the struggle for freedom today - here and at home.
We would do well to remember what happe
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Importance of First Principles
Alexander Hamilton wrote that "In disquisitions of every kind there are certain primary truths, or first principles, upon which all subsequent reasoning must depend." Unfortunately, our cultural and political class have seem to forgotten this important maxim. Our First Principles are enumerated in the Declaration of Independence:
"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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its foundations on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
The First Principles of the rule of law, equality, unalienable rights, the Social Compact, limited government, and the right to abolish or alter an unjust government are the bedrock of our country. Today, however, they are scarcely noticed in the raging political debates today. When they are mentioned, they seem to be an afterthought. From health care to the bailouts to the fiscal crisis to Afghanistan, hardly anyone starts with what should come first - the First Principles. And we are a poorer nation for it.
"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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying its foundations on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."
The First Principles of the rule of law, equality, unalienable rights, the Social Compact, limited government, and the right to abolish or alter an unjust government are the bedrock of our country. Today, however, they are scarcely noticed in the raging political debates today. When they are mentioned, they seem to be an afterthought. From health care to the bailouts to the fiscal crisis to Afghanistan, hardly anyone starts with what should come first - the First Principles. And we are a poorer nation for it.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
GEORGE WASHINGTON'S THANKSGIVING PROCLAMATION
As he did for so much of America, President George Washington set the precedent by proclaiming a day of Thanksgiving in 1789. I can do nothing to add to it:
General Thanksgiving
By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and affisn THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the
service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wife, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed) G. Washington
General Thanksgiving
By the PRESIDENT of the United States Of America A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANKSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and affisn THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the
service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wife, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed) G. Washington
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
The True Meaning of Patriotism
"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." --American author Mark Twain (1835-1910)
This is the true meaning, at least in America. Patriots love their country, and Patriots in America love their country not only because it is their homeland, but because America stands for the best in the world.
We were the first nation to be founded on a set of First Principles, as articulated in the Declaration of Independence. They include the rule of law, unalienable rights, equality, the Social Compact, limited government, and the right of the people to alter or abolish an oppressive government. We are really the only one that fully stands for those principles today.
Sometimes patriots feel compelled to support their government because they feel a need to support the country. When the government is acting to further the First Principles (or at least in conformity with them), such a sentiment is a noble one. However, if the government is violating those First Principles, then a Patriot's first duty is to oppose the government - just as Twain remarked.
This is the true meaning, at least in America. Patriots love their country, and Patriots in America love their country not only because it is their homeland, but because America stands for the best in the world.
We were the first nation to be founded on a set of First Principles, as articulated in the Declaration of Independence. They include the rule of law, unalienable rights, equality, the Social Compact, limited government, and the right of the people to alter or abolish an oppressive government. We are really the only one that fully stands for those principles today.
Sometimes patriots feel compelled to support their government because they feel a need to support the country. When the government is acting to further the First Principles (or at least in conformity with them), such a sentiment is a noble one. However, if the government is violating those First Principles, then a Patriot's first duty is to oppose the government - just as Twain remarked.
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