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Opinion Across The Fence Patriotism more than waving the flag More than 230 years ago this week, a group of men joined their hearts and minds in pursuit of liberty.
We identify the signers of the Declaration of Independence as "patriots," defined by Webster's Dictionary as "one who loves and zealously supports one's own country." British King George III, on the other hand, branded them as traitors who had betrayed their country. America has a list of patriots too long to list, dating back to the Revolutionary War and continuing today. They are fighting on foreign soil now in zealous, sometimes blind, support of our country. Their dedication and sacrifices should never be discounted by the empty rhetoric and self-serving remarks of public officials who've never been in combat. There's been a great deal of discussion about patriotism in this country. Some of those comments not only are disturbing, but some border on being traitorous. Part of the problem may be with definitions that attach patriotism to one's country, instead of to the underlying values and principles that give life to the country itself. America was established on the principles of liberty. The Declaration states, "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." The framers continued, "That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." And it went on to establish "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 new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." Those are mighty words. Extend the use of "men" as we know and accept it to include all human beings. Then carefully consider the principles of equality and the inherent liberty of every individual to pursue his own life and happiness without government's overbearing shackles. Now, apply those principles to the way our nation operates today. The second part of the document, the acts of tyranny attributed to King George, are listed as the reason and purpose for the Declaration. As I read through it, I was struck by the number of offenses that might actually be attributed to America's current leadership as it is perceived by nations around the world. "He has erected a multitude of New Offices…. "He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil Power. "He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws, giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation: "For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us; "For protecting them, by a mock Trial from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants…; "For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world…; "For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury; "For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences…. "He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. "He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation…. "He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers…." In the name of "freedom," our nation invaded and attacked another on the basis of threat versus direct provocation. We have destroyed cities, businesses, homes, families and lives. We have sent mercenaries to do the dirtiest work, and put fat, tax-exempt payments in the pockets of Halliburton, KBR and other multinational corporations. We have turned blind eyes to their transgressions of law. We have removed, transported and imprisoned individuals without the benefits of habeas corpus. We have tortured others. And we, the American people, have turned blind eyes to these atrocities, believing lies instead of seeking truth, afraid to question when pompous, treacherous leaders wave the flag we hold so dear and characterize every critic as "unpatriotic." I love America. With all of its imperfections, I still believe it to be the greatest nation on earth. But I despise the traitorous work of those who have eroded the fundamentals of liberty outlined in the Declaration of Independence and guaranteed by our Constitution. Wendell Phillips said, "Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." As you celebrate tomorrow, I urge you to renew your devotion to the principles of liberty. That's the truest mark of a patriot. Kathie Greer: Columnist and consultant for the Amarillo Independent. She can be reached at kathie@amarilloindy.com. E-mail
comments about this story Posted: July 3, 2008
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