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John Adams-Legacy
The letters exchanged between John Adams and his wife Abigail reveal that Abigail was not only his soulmate but his confidante and advisor. She was his rock and his balance. Theirs was not just a story of independence and the struggle for freedom, but one of the most beautiful love stories of this time or any. This particular scene is the last scene of the HBO miniseries John Adams that takes place after John Adams has died. It represents to me their meeting again and expressing their love for each other and their hope for the future of America.
I'm posting it not only because this miniseries is up for multiple awards tonight at the Emmies which I hope it deservedly sweeps, but because of the words John Adams (played by Paul Giamatti) speaks at the end regarding the legacy left to us with instructions to preserve it. The words bring tears to my eyes because I realize that we have not done what he and those who founded this country hoped for. We have allowed our country to be taken over by the very elements these men and women gave everything they had to seek independence from.
So, what is the answer? More of the same kind of elections where the amount of money you raise, or your status in a poll, or your popularity with 'celebrities', or the favor you find with the top eschelons of your party matters more that what these people fought for? I fear we look too much to one person to solve our problems, and that along with political parties and divisions have done much to shatter the legacy left us by men who though flawed had our best intentions at heart and who were brilliant men [and women as we see in Abigail Adams] who truly believed in not just a piece of paper they all signed, but the higher consciousness involved in writing the words on it. The painstaking deliberation they went through is in stark contrast today to bills passed that aren't even read and shoved through with such ferocity because the only consciousness involved in their passing is to save the political reputations of those pushing them through.
The legacy left by our founders has been squandered to fear, greed and political party rancor. So again I ask, is continuing to vote for people who perpetuate the destruction of that legacy going to bring it back? I suppose I'm simply hoping for something this country will never see again... true freedom and equality in politics. Oh well, at least we have the brilliant words of these men and women to remind us of all we once had, and the memories of a love that birthed a nation. The letters exchanged between John Adams and his wife Abigail reveal that Abigail was not only his soulmate but his confidante and adv... more -
Al Gore's The Assault On Reason A Transference Of Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson and Al Gore. Both spokesmen for truth, both statesmen of exemplary principle. But are we truly heeding their words?
"My hope that we have not labored in vain, and that our experiment will still prove that men can be governed by reason." --Thomas Jefferson to George Mason, 1791. ME 8:124
"I have so much confidence in the good sense of man, and his qualifications for self-government, that I am never afraid of the issue where reason is left free to exert her force." --Thomas Jefferson to Comte Diodati, 1789. Papers 15:326"
Let common sense and common honesty have fair play, and they will soon set things to rights." --Thomas Jefferson to Ezra Stiles, 1786. ME 6:25
"A government of reason is better than one of force." --Thomas Jefferson to Richard Rush, 1820. ME 15:284
"This blessed country of free inquiry and belief has surrendered its creed and conscience to neither kings nor priests." --Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Waterhouse, 1822. ME 15:385
"It is surely time for men to think for themselves, and to throw off the authority of names so artificially magnified." --Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 1820. ME 15:258
snip
And that is why I have to type this as well as a supporter of Al Gore who is now on my third time reading The Assault On Reason which to me is the Jeffersonian doctrine of our time: Al Gore stated right from the beginning that this book is not a 'candidate' book, and that is correct. It is a serious look in the mirror not only for those in our government who have abandoned reason in exchange for the politics of fear, propaganda, and expediency of men over the rule of law, but more so for the complicit corporate media that is their accomplice, and even more so for the citizens of this country used by that fear, propaganda, and expediency who on the whole constantly complain about the state of affairs but who never seem to want to get their hands dirty when it comes to truly standing up for it. This book is a primer for them in doing that, and yet I don't get the feeling that is how many see it and that is disappointing to me.
I have stated many times how I would feel regarding Mr. Gore leading us in a system envisioned by Jefferson, and I am absolutely heartbroken at the turn of events these past eight years after fighting for him for so many years before that. He will always be my president, and has been since December 13, 2000. However, as he has stated as well, this is not about him but about all of us, and he has done more for this world as a statesman than any of the cretins that stole this Democracy from us and for that he will have my undying respect because he has done it and continues to do it against all odds with a conscience and moral awareness I frankly do not believe politicians possess or are allowed to possess.
He is the premiere American statesman of our time which has come with many years of service through wisdom and pain, and the words I read and am again reading in his book were not read with the eyes of someone just looking to use quotes in them to prop him up as a 'candidate' in a toxic system that wronged him and us for political expediency. I see clearly what he is talking about in this book. And what he is talking about is exactly what Thomas Jefferson spoke of in his time when he was one of the premiere American statesmen: and that is that a Democracy is only as 'Democratic' as the people make it. It cannot be done from the cheap seats. It must be hands on or it is lost. And that does not always mean from a political place, for surely as we have seen those who work outside to bring change inside have been more successful in bringing that change.
more at the link. Thomas Jefferson and Al Gore. Both spokesmen for truth, both statesmen of exemplary principle. But are we truly heeding their words? ... more -
Al Gore:Climate Crisis Getting Short Shrift In U.S. President Race
Nobel Laureate Al Gore is absolutely correct in this assessment. The most crucial crisis of this generation gets little to no attention in this horserace even with the scientific reports regarding the urgency of addressing it now. Even with The Inconvenient Truth laid out before us. Why is it that so many still consider this to be so unimportant? Because it isn't sexy enough as a topic? Because they are just uninformed about it? Because they are just too comfortable to care? Because they are afraid of change? Because it calls upon reallly standing up to the status quo that all the candidates still answer to in one way or another? On the climate crisis they all have to do much better because none of their plans meet this crisis as it should be met. Perhaps we will see more talk about this once the coronation takes place in each party but if not, it will be up to us to make sure it is covered. The question then is will we demand it be covered?
To me it is also truly a shame that this country has such a distinquished Nobel Peace Prize winner in Al Gore and his words fall on so many deaf ears in this campaign simply because he is no longer considered part of "the game." I truly hope we as a people and a species don't live to regret that. I have signed petitions, wrote the candidates, and spoken out about this crisis being given the attention it must have because it does directly relate to healthcare, economy, environment, war and peace, poverty, social ills, democracy, and our very survival. If we aren't willing to stand up for our planet now how will we ever have the courage to stand up for this country? Thanks to Mr. Gore for continuing to be the voice of reason. Nobel Laureate Al Gore is absolutely correct in this assessment. The most crucial crisis of this generation gets little to no attentio... more
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The Assault On Reason
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The Assault On Reason
