Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in his essay entitled “Politics”, “…any particle may suddenly become the centre of the movement, and compel the system to gyrate round it,” speaking of the tendency of youth to view certain political figures as immutable and the elderly person’s realization that no man, politician or otherwise, should be perceived within the context of a vacuum. He goes on to say, “the form of government which prevails, is the expression of what cultivation exists in the population which permits it.” If he were able to perceive through time the length and breadth of our great society, I cannot help but think that Mr. Emerson would be met with sadness and/or disappointment.
As this is of course impossible, without mentioning the pretentiousness of giving voice to a great philosopher beyond the grave, we are left with only his words and our own minds and hearts to forge through the social, political and intellectual morass we wade through together. To be certain, we have only ourselves to blame for our current situation. I speak specifically of the compromise reached between the lobbyists for the telecommunications companies, the chief executive of our United States, and the legislative branch in order to extend civil immunity to the corporations that might have spied on American citizens for the supposed purpose of arming the government with knowledge that would be used to combat terrorists, both foreign and domestic. However, I wish to also address the broader topic of the certain inalienable rights guaranteed to us by the document, signed by our forefathers in order to bind the states together as a functional democratic republic, called the Constitution. Perhaps you’ve heard of it.
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I realise the fundamental hypocrisy in utilizing this “free” medium I have composed this document with in dissent of its actions. I look to the example of Martin Luther, who tacked his ninety-five theses to the door of the
Schlosskirche, in the hopes that other progressives will begin the work of a new Reformation, an onslaught against intellectual apologies for crimes against citizens of the country and indeed, the world. But let us get to the task at hand and examine the
recent reports signaling Senator Obama’s support for the FISA bill which will possibly reduce the fourth amendment to that annual gift from Aunt Madge: a chirstmas fruitcake that’s packed away in the foyer closet, never to see the light of day again.
This is of course the straw that broke the camel’s back. We cannot apportion blame entirely towards Senator Obama: he certainly didn’t author the legislation, and
he spoke against its adoption frequently and with forceful rhetoric as recently as this January, in the midst of a heated primary battle against Senator Clinton. It appears that Senator Clinton’s fatal flaw shall become Senator Obama’s Achilleus’ Heel as well. The weakness that I speak of is political expediency in lieu of defending freedom. It seems that those on the left have developed temporary amnesia regarding the words of one who would become President:
“I will govern from the center.”
“I will govern for the most humble and for those who suffer.”
“I will govern, free from partisanship and prejudice.”
Yes…these were all words from George W. Bush, who promised to govern all Americans, but who included only those who stood to profit from war, greed, death, hunger, rape, humiliation, might and terror.
I don’t need to pull out the quotations of every great man like Benjamin Franklin who said, “They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.” I don’t even need to line up the great women, such as Audre Lorde who said, “The master’s tools will not dismantle the master’s house.”
All that is required is that every American look at themselves in the mirror and ask a simple question:
“Can you live without this essential liberty?”
good night and good luck…
