Victor Davis Hanson sums up the terrifying mess this country has deteriorated into in a mere year and a half. The American Descent into Madness › American Greatness (amgreatness.com) is a long piece, but it is an important must-read--and quite a depressing one, because it's all true.
There's nothing more to say.
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| The New York Times |
When events like Sunday's mass protest against the Communist Cuban government erupt so suddenly and unexpectedly, I'm always reminded of the human flaw of believing we are in control.
Pity the poor "Democratic Socialists" (actually, they are Marxists) in United States government, big business and media who truly believed their plan to shove socialism down our throats was all wrapped up in a tidy bow. Suddenly there are thousands of brutally oppressed people marching in the streets screaming "Libertad!" (Freedom) and "Patria y Vida!" (Homeland and Life) less than one hundred miles from Key West. "The Squad" is uncharacteristically quiet. Apparently the current Cuban crisis makes socialism, let alone communism, a very hard sell.
These Cuban protestors are brave people. American protests are not punished with torture and execution, but Cubans may pay with their lives for daring to speak out against the totalitarian Communist government. Many of them already have.
And what is the US government's response to Cuba's reach for freedom? Pathetically inadequate--a weak mix of lame words and no actions. I expected nothing more from the current administration, and I'm sad to be right in that conclusion. But throughout real America, the people of the United States support the courageous efforts of the Cuban people to throw off their communist chains. This is nowhere so true as in Florida, the home of so many Cuban families that escaped the iron fist of communism and made a free and prosperous life in America. Miami, Fort Meyers, and Naples are among the Florida communities marching in solidarity with the Cuban people who are risking all in demanding their liberty.
The "Democratic Socialists" who want to break and remake our nation are noisy and have the headlines. But the Americans who believe in our country, and in Cuba's drive for freedom, have the numbers. We have taken the stark warning from Cuba. Despite their arrogant illusion of control, I think the "Democratic Socialists" will need to peddle their Marxism elsewhere. Libertad is the word of the times.
Not to be a downer on the weekend, but Victor Davis Hanson's piece in American Greatness on "The Cruel Progressive Creed Undoing Civilization" is a must-read for any concerned American citizen. Saturday or not, we don't have time to waste. The Communists and Marxists in our elite ruling class are very busy dismantling our society, 24/7. We who wish to protect our national values, institutions and traditions have got to keep pace, and knowledge is power.
The brightest ray of hope to end the death spiral is the army of parents rising up across the country to challenge the radical left-wing agendas of school boards and to demand accountability. In many cases communities have initiated efforts to recall school board members and--most encouraging--many parents have chosen to run for election to their school board themselves.
This activism and involvement on a local level is very good news for the ultimate health of our republic. It is a necessary reaction to overreach and oppression. In the USA, contrary to progressive dogma that believes only it knows best, "We the People" are the government. We ourselves are responsible for maintaining our hard-won liberties. Freedom begins--or ends--at our own doorsteps.
"...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..."
Preamble, United States Declaration of Independence
I've followed Goldberg for many years. He's a conservative "Never-Trumper" who can be brilliantly smart and laugh-out-loud humorous at the same time. Suicide of the West is thoroughly researched and annotated; although it is completely absorbing and endlessly interesting, it is not a fast read. There is so much data and history, so many facts and examples provided, that this reader had to maintain a slower pace in order to process all of the information being presented. But I found it to be well worth the time investment. I recommend it to any thoughtful American seeking to better understand just why it seems apparent that the wheels are coming off our society.
The book leaves us at our present destination. The final chapter, "Decline is a Choice," is where this nation stands today. I have been continuously shocked at the rapid deterioration in our political and societal health during the past year. After reading Suicide of the West, I don't believe that Jonah Goldberg has been at all surprised.
Since I've been watching Sunday mass online for a year and a quarter now, I'm behind the times on Church news. I just found out we're more than halfway through the Year of St. Joseph that was proclaimed in December 2020 by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter, Patris Corde. That title translates to "With a Father's Heart."
The letter is a beautiful analysis of St. Joseph's many important roles, virtues and qualities. I wish I had learned about it in time for Father's Day, but better late than never.
St. Joseph was my father's favorite saint, and he's mine, too. I (almost) always say a quick St. Joseph prayer at bedtime. To celebrate the remainder of his officially designated year, I'll be spending a bit more time talking to the most significant dad in human history. It's been my experience that he's an attentive listener.
Yesterday is a canceled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is cash.
If you've recovered from whiplash, then welcome to our new national holiday, Juneteenth. There will be very little waiting for "effective next calendar year" this time. The bill was passed by the Senate on Tuesday, by the House on Wednesday, signed by the president Thursday, and many Federal workers had Friday off. This just proves government can move fast when speed serves its political purposes.
I've got no problem with Juneteenth. I had never heard of it until last year, but after I learned about it I agree that it's important. However, I'd feel better about adding a new Federal holiday if Columbus Day could be left alone. That's our history, too.
Slavery in America ended almost two centuries ago. Show me another country that ever fought such a long and bloody battle to end it. Our Civil War was followed a century later by the Civil Rights movement and the heroic efforts of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to achieve equal rights for all Americans regardless of race. Look at the stature of our Black leaders today, including a former president--who is actually half-White, a salient fact that always remains background noise. Black Supreme Court justices, national security advisors, military leaders and heroes, senators, congressmen, professors, writers, sports legends are among our most renowned national figures.
To say that Blacks in America today are oppressed is outright ridiculous. Furthermore (take note, BLM activists), the American people--including Black people--know it's ridiculous.
As I was channel-jumping on my car radio this week, I heard a brilliant proposal put forth. The speaker (name unknown) was talking about the reparations controversy. He offered this resolution: "Every slave owner in America today should pay every slave in America." I laughed, but the preposterous nature of that concept proves how far we as a nation have traveled on the road to progress.
We are not a perfect union; we are only a "more perfect union" than we had been in the distant past. Slavery has been in our rear view mirror for many generations. Let's learn and remember the hard lessons from it, of course. But let's live now, today, in our current day and time, and keep trying to do better as a nation. Happy Juneteenth.
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| D-Day Landing ~ Normandy, France ~ June 6, 1944 |
Andrea Widburg has a terrific piece in American Thinker about a mother, Tatiana Ibrahim, who lit up her town's school board meeting over the nihilist indoctrination being forced upon their children. Read There is a lioness in Carmel, New York who is fighting for the children, and be sure to watch the video that's included in the article.
I first heard the audio of this parent's scathing and fearless takedown of her town's school board on Mark Levin's radio program, and it was riveting. A search for the video led to Widburg's report. I think it must be seen and heard to be fully appreciated; Ms.Ibrahim is breathtaking.
Tatiana Ibrahim is speaking the same message that Andrew Gutmann was recently writing. This link will take you to Gutmann's website, Speak Up For Education. His website provides definitive action items for concerned parents who want to fight back on behalf of their children.
I wish more mothers and fathers--unknown numbers of whom undoutedly agree with both of these brave parents--would find the courage to stand together and speak out for their kids, also.
