Rick, I am struck by the stark contrast between your article and your first commenter, AWOL Civ, above.
As I observe the volley across the bow of each ship, I am torn by the underlying meaning behind the sentiments upon which each is sailing along, and apparently passing in the night.
There is something wonderful, something great and powerful, something historic and something shining and bright about what will transpire in my country this fine day. WE, as usual, have chosen to lead by example, as a beacon to the world…showing the pathway that we blaze for liberty, freedom, democracy and justice.
Have we stumbled along the way? What human endeavor has not? But we should not forget that in the achievement of greatness, it was those who picked up the banner and carried for a cause not their own that turned the tide.
Men standing up for women’s rights, whites willing to fight and die…brother against brother in a Civil War, the majority passing laws and adhering to principles that defended and protected everyone…this is what is not only forgotten, but swept under the rug..somehow too vulgar to speak aloud, too crass to admit, too unromantic to the narrative.
To those heirs and offspring of Ireland, of Italy, of Israel…there have been obstacles, hurdles and mountains to climb. There numbers swelled our shores, and yet none of Italy or Israel have lived a day in the White House. Nor has a woman been our leader. Irish Catholics have but one. In terms of sheer percentages, of ratio to the population…would it be as historic a moment? I sincerely doubt it would rate more than a mention.
The racial divide has been steeper and more fraught with the frailties of mankind, no doubt. The mountain was higher to climb. Yet, in which country was it most likely to occur? In which country would the mantle be lifted? In which country would a white majority select a black man to lead them? The very country that saw brother aim a gun at brother and be willing to fire across the field for the cause that was not theirs, but adopted by them because right is right, fair is fair, wrong is wrong.
Your commenter feels however, that the tolerance, pride, adherence to principles shown by the celebration of this event is tainted by the fact that it may have ridden in on a chariot of intolerance, racial and class warfare.
He asks, sub rosa, how can we celebrate tolerance…by trumpeting intolerance? How can we sing hymns of unity, via the chorus of divisiveness? Have we replaced the dogs and fire hoses of oppression against blacks, with the celluloid slanders of Hollywood against faith based southern whites? Have the broad farcical caricatures and stereotypes, been not erased, but replaced?
Is this shining victory for what we can become, merely a Pyrrhic victory because the principles which give us gooseflesh are but a sham?
We have the opportunity to seize the moment here and make this not a Hollywood moment of false promise, phony facade, vacuous homilies and hollow platitudes. We can seize it to cement the principles which made it possible in the first place.
When we all raise the banner of righteousness and carry it, we show the world what humankind is capable of achieving. If all we do is replace the oppression of some by the elevation of others, turn the tables and champion intolerance, slander, greed and power for the “victims”, we accomplish nothing.
If it’s simply God Bless America when I win and God Damn America when I lose, we are not leading by example, we are leading by tantrum. If acceptance and tolerance extends only to leftist ideals and “chosen” groups, we are not leading by example…we are leading by fiat.
If we got here on the back of class and racial warfare, on the slanders against faith based people, on the cruel jokes of an entire region of our country, …then how is it that different from the days of your black and white TV in the backwoods…except the roles are reversed? Are we to take the victims where we find them?
I want to celebrate our advancement, our wisdom, our leadership. The only way I know how to do it, is to celebrate the principles, without hypocrisy or agenda. Right is right, fair is fair, wrong is wrong. Tell the truth without distortion, give me the facts without filter, pick up the banner for the honor of it, even when the issue seems to be favoring you…today.
Classic liberalism should be at war with modern day leftism. THAT would be a day to celebrate. One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. Here’s to hoping President Obama learns to lead all Americans…and the world…by example.
