Summer 2009 Editorial

Howdy, y'all! Remember when I mentioned something about basing my next Olney Daily Mail editorial on the seven principles that promote true patriotism, which are outlined in A Handbook for American Revolutionaries? Well, folks, here it is.

The Obama Presidency Quarterly, Summer 2009 Issue:

As we prepare to celebrate the anniversary of our nation's inception-- otherwise known as the Fourth of July-- I'm reading a very timely book, Give Me Liberty: A Handbook for American Revolutionaries (Simon & Schuster, 2008). In this book, author Naomi Wolf argues that what has passed for patriotism during the last eight years-- flag-waving jingoism (hyper-nationalistic reactionary-ism) disguised as Christianity-- is anything but. She also discusses seven principles that, when applied, promote true patriotism. These principles, outlined in "Part II: Core Values (p. 91-214)" of Give Me Liberty, are:

1.) We are required to speak freely.

2.) We have a duty to rebel continually against injustice and oppression.

3.) Ordinary people are supposed to run things.

4.) Americans cherish the rule of law.

5.) America establishes no God.

6.) Americans deliberate with their neighbors; we disagree without violence.

7.) Liberty is universal: America cannot maintain an oppressive empire.

In a sense, the Obama presidency is proving itself to be revolutionary. First, the American people spoke freely in 2008 and elected Barack Obama to be their leader via an unprecedented grassroots, Internet-facilitated campaign. Secondly, in doing so, we rebelled against the injustice and oppression of a tyrannical oligarchy (government led by the privileged elite) with no respect for the U.S. Constitution-- especially the Bill of Rights, no checks-and-balances system, and a fondness for detrimental legislation (e.g. the so-called "Patriot Act"). Thirdly, our current commander-in-chief came from humble beginnings, has empathy for the disadvantaged, and is a genuine intellect, unlike his predecessor, who, to quote the late, great former Governor of Texas Ann Richards, was "born with a silver foot in his mouth." Also, President Obama and his cabinet are upholding the rule of law by way of full disclosure and transparency. Furthermore, Obama has almost single-handedly saved America from becoming a theocratic state ruled by fundamentalist religion-- a la Iran-- and has brought about a cease-fire of sorts to the culture war that has divided us for far too long. (Incidentally, there is absolutely no constitutionally mandated religious litmus test for political candidates.) In addition, the president has improved our image on the world stage through diplomacy with various nations-- friendly and not-- including: Israel, Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Cuba, North and South Korea, China, Turkey, Russia, Germany, Lebanon, Egypt, and France. Finally, Obama wants to end U.S. occupation of Iraq by late 2011-- an action that will eventually lead to the end of American imperialism in the Middle East. As a result of the application of all seven of these principles, we, the people, have preserved our rights and freedoms. More importantly, we have ensured that we will remain the constitutional republic/liberal democracy that the Founding Fathers intended us to be.

Patriotism Quotes:

"My country is the world, and my religion to do good."-- Thomas Paine-- excerpted from The Rights of Man (Ch. V)."

"I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place is proud of him."-- Abraham Lincoln

"Do not... regard the critics as questionable patriots. What were Washington and Jefferson and Adams but profound critics of the colonial status quo?"-- Adlai Stevenson

(This piece will be published either today or tomorrow on the ODM Website. You can read it-- as well as corresponding readers' comments-- at http://www.olneydailymail.com/opinions/letters_to_the_editor. Should be interesting!)