My new book, It Can Happen Here, is turning out to be a blockbuster of a detective story. I wish it were not so full of frightening details, but the writing is excellent, the research stellar. And I have only read into the first chapter.
To this point -- highly recommended.
(See above for Internet URL directions)
On the occasion of the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., as President of the United States, January 20, 2021. The Capitol, Washington, D.C.
Certain writers seem to have nothing better to do than to criticize President Biden for not being dramatic enough -- or something. He's not exciting, they say. He fails to inspire, The New York Times says today. Well, this is in the eye of the beholder certainly. If this is the most serious criticism of Mr. Biden, I'd say he is doing a remarkably fine job. As a matter of fact, I would say he is doing a remarkably fine job.
Some examples:
Pres. Biden and the First Lady, plus Vice-President Harris and the Second Gentleman Honor Military Bands at the 2021 Inauguration.
Note the respect and pomp -- simply, but powerfully executed.
Quickly --
The new July issue of the National Geographic contains a marvelous article on the Shkreli Awards. The Shkreli Awards call out particularly bad actors in the world of Big Pharma and Big Health companies. This seems to be, in essence, the first article of its kind in National Geographic. Highly recommended!
Up-date: Unfortunately, this content is behind a paywall.
In the final installment of this excerpt from George Washington's monumental Farewell Address, the out-going President says that true religion and morality are the same as good policy. Indeed, have we not all learned that "honesty is the best policy?" So, too, then, are a fear of God and fidelity to good morals, the best policy. Such a simple concept, yet missed by ever so many.
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George Washington's Farewell Addres, Complete
The unity of Government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you.
It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of the very Liberty which you so highly prize.But as it is easy to foresee, that from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point on your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most consistently and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union, to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity, watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country form the rest; or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.
The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.
Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice*; and let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion.
Whatever
may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of
peculiar structure; reason and experience both forbid us to expect,
that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
It is substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring
of popular government.
Observe good faith and justice towards all Nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and Morality enjoin this conduct;; and can it be, that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened, and, at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a peoples always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence.
* reference to the phrase "...so help me God."
The complete text may be found here:
George Washington's Complete Farewell Address
More of George Washington's Farewell Address
The unity of Government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you.
It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of the very Liberty which you so highly prize.But as it is easy to foresee, that from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point on your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most consistently and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union, to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity, watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country form the rest; or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.
The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.
Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice*; and let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion.
* reference to the phrase "...so help me God."
Comments on the whole address coming at the conclusion of this serial.
This blog is printing excerpts of George Washington's farewell address. As I have said, this address has affected persons around the world for generations. It has been used in classrooms all over the world. Unfortunately, many are now ignorant of its contents.
So, here is part three of Washington's Farewell Address.
George Washington's Farewell Address --Continued
The unity of Government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you.
It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of the very Liberty which you so highly prize.But as it is easy to foresee, that from different causes and from different quarters, much pains will be taken, many artifices employed, to weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth; as this is the point on your political fortress against which the batteries of internal and external enemies will be most consistently and actively (though often covertly and insidiously) directed, it is of infinite moment that you should properly estimate the immense value of your national Union, to your collective and individual happiness; that you should cherish a cordial, habitual and immovable attachment to it; accustoming yourselves to think and speak of it as the Palladium of your political safety and prosperity, watching for its preservation with jealous anxiety; discountenancing whatever may suggest even a suspicion that it can in any event be abandoned; and indignantly frowning upon the first dawning of every attempt to alienate any portion of our country form the rest; or to enfeeble the sacred ties which now link together the various parts.
Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.
The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity.
In this post I begin a serial blogging of an excerpt of George Washington's Farewell Address. Almost lost now to history in our current entertainment-saturated environment, this address bears reading and re-reading.
No stale statement, this speech rings with truth and fairly shimmers with its truthful vibe.
George Washington's Farewell Address -- Opening
The unity of Government which constitutes you one people is also now dear to you.
It is justly so; for it is a main pillar in the edifice of your real independence, the support of your tranquility at home, your peace abroad; of your safety; of your prosperity; of the very Liberty which you so highly prize.
-- to be continued
Rep. Liz Cheney of Utah
In a stern and impassioned rebuke to Trumpers, Rep. Liz Cheny of Utah delivered a ringing defense of democracy and liberty on the floor of the House earlier this evening. Ms. Cheney referenced soldiers chasing away voters in Kenya, and the Putin government in Russia allegedly assassinating a local mayor.
She went on in a clear, strong voice to declare those who support claims of a fraudulent election last fall as being "at war" with our democracy.
This powerful speech puts Ms. Cheney with the figures in John Kennedy's Profiles in Courage, for her own courage against bullies, lairs, and -- shall we say it? -- traitors.
Speech can be viewed here: https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2021/05/11/liz-cheney-house-floor-remarks-republican-vote-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/this-week-in-politics/
Quickly --
You may have heard or read about the brouhaha over the recently announced plans by European football (in America, soccer) team owners to form a new "Super League." This attempt was roundly denounced by fans and some of the other owners.
Now comes a very public demonstration by fans in Manchester making clear that the currently profit-seated mode is simply no longer feasible in Britain. This startling development, which occurred just this past Sunday, roused Britons to a new level of hope that the siphoning off by owners --a couple of which are Americans -- of the hard-earned cash of English workers, will one day stop. And perhaps this day will be relatively soon.
This American friend of the British workers says: The sooner the better.
Quick Link --
An important -- though small -- group of people worked to get the word out about the story of how Corporations were gradually given most of the rights of persons, in legal practice. This was the Program on Corporations, Law, and Democracy (POCLAD). The door to this nefarious and devious scheme was opened in the nineteenth century by a clerk's erroneous emendation to a Supreme Court ruling. The web site below has archived documents on this fascinating and important study.
