225 years ago, a set of principles, set forth by intellectuals, politicians, merchants and statesman became the guiding principle for the beginnings of a great democracy. This document, and it's written and unwritten principles, have survived war, depression and internal strife, only to emerge as a undamaged pillar for the every growing sense of inclusiveness and participation that defines our countries' evolving governance.
Throughout the last two-and-a-quarter centuries, despots, tyrants, revolutionaries and military juntas have challenged and upended their governments, creating chaos and uncertainty. Those who disagree were thrown in jail, tortured or killed. Religion was used as a tool for oppression and disenfranchisement. When the United States faced a crisis, our Presidents, statesmen and leaders did not abandon our democracy. They debated and discussed how we could maintain a Union. And, they did this by consulting and interpreting the Constitution and the principles therein.
We have proven that key tenets of our democracy, like freedom of the press, assembly, speech, religion and petition are essential for both our survival and our evolution as a country. While many will disagree on how these principles are afforded, they will defend to the end our right to have them. It is a tradition, set in precedence, that is uniquely American.
As Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "the law, wherein, as in a magic mirror, we see reflected, not only our own lives, but the lives of all men that have been"
Monday, September 17, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Post-War America?
Today marks the 11th anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center. Over 2,700 people lost their lives and and the U.S. was once again mobilized for war. This anniversary is not a time to debate the justification behind going to war in Afghanistan or Iraq. This anniversary is a time for mourning, but also a time for inward looking.
Each passing year, Americans are given the chance to re-evaluate the first major epoch of the new Millennium: The Post-9/11 Era.This re-evaluation should consider something that the Romney campaign has been asking in the last couple months: are we better off? Is our continued presence in Afghanistan a symbol of our enduring fight against terrorism, or an unrealistic nation-building project that will never take hold? Given the implications of a war on terrorism, will we ever be a post-war nation?
When President George W. Bush stood on the ruins of the World Trade Center, he vowed to hunt down the perpetrators of the horrendous attacks. We searched for terrorists and their sympathizers in caves, city streets, village squares and urban homes. With bomb, missile, artillery and gunship, we collapsed networks and disrupted cells.
That was Iraq. That was Afghanistan.
Now, it's Yemen. It's Somalia. It's Pakistan. It's Karachi, Mogadishu, Tehran, Sanaa and Aleppo. It happens on subways in London and Madrid, hotels in Mumbai and secret compounds in Pakistan. It is disruptive, unstable and unending.
This War on Terror is a misnomer: it is not a war.
Wars end.
Each passing year, Americans are given the chance to re-evaluate the first major epoch of the new Millennium: The Post-9/11 Era.This re-evaluation should consider something that the Romney campaign has been asking in the last couple months: are we better off? Is our continued presence in Afghanistan a symbol of our enduring fight against terrorism, or an unrealistic nation-building project that will never take hold? Given the implications of a war on terrorism, will we ever be a post-war nation?
When President George W. Bush stood on the ruins of the World Trade Center, he vowed to hunt down the perpetrators of the horrendous attacks. We searched for terrorists and their sympathizers in caves, city streets, village squares and urban homes. With bomb, missile, artillery and gunship, we collapsed networks and disrupted cells.
That was Iraq. That was Afghanistan.
Now, it's Yemen. It's Somalia. It's Pakistan. It's Karachi, Mogadishu, Tehran, Sanaa and Aleppo. It happens on subways in London and Madrid, hotels in Mumbai and secret compounds in Pakistan. It is disruptive, unstable and unending.
This War on Terror is a misnomer: it is not a war.
Wars end.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)