Motley Moose – Archive

Since 2008 – Progress Through Politics

"…Shall Not Perish From This Earth."



It has been a tough news weekend for the United States.

I’ve been blocking out news coverage today and cringing every time I hear a partisan or pundit prognosticate about the decline of America, or our supposed shuffle closer to doomsday.

My heart breaks hard every time I think about the selfless men and women we lost in Afghanistan this weekend. Brothers and sisters alike, it seems almost trivial to sit here tonight and type–a freedom they have won for me–while so many are facing grim realities and long, tense moments of combat half a world away.

It’s easy to lose focus of who you are and what you stand for in times like these.

Tonight, I’m reminded of a famous speech given by a wartime American president from Illinois (emphasis added):

“It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

It is easy to cower in the face of disappointment or unspeakable tragedy, to cave to the demands of those playing the temporary game of political opportunism. In these times, we should not forget who we are:

We believe “that government of the people, by the people, for the people” shall reflect the values and humanity of those people. We believe that our markets and our people come together every day, and that their tenacity and innovation are our greatest national assets. Government can’t solve all of our problems, and neither can unchecked greed: We believe that both free markets and free people are essential for a free country and a prosperous posterity. And we are reminded that our young men and women shouldn’t have to die to prove their country’s greatness, but rather, should serve as living proof.

Military might is not the only measure of national strength; private doubts about our financial acuity do not change the reality of our economic strength. The media and Super PACs may reap a windfall from tripping up the United States of America–that’s their freedom, in this country we call home.

You cannot quantify, cannot put a premium on the resilience, the grittiness, the resolve of the American people. Whether we’re facing down the British redcoats or the regulars of financial speculation, our country sets a consistent standard: triumph. That’s something even opinionated talking-heads can’t thwart.

You cannot keep us down. You cannot convince us that our lot is anything less than exceptional. It is a birthright we will give to our children and innumerable generations beyond.

This country and her ideals shall never perish from this earth.

We are so resolved.


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/ 18 Comments

18 comments

  1. ItStands

    There is a quote my Navy buddies and I like to toss around–jokingly, really, because we try not to take ourselves too seriously–that I feel may be applicable again:

    On September 23, 1779, John Paul Jones was in command of the sinking, burning hulk of the Bonhomme Richard–pretty bad shape–in an engagement with the ominous and able British frigate Serapis. When the British demanded Jones surrender, the American refused, replying:

    “I have not yet begun to fight!”

    Serapis surrendered three hours later and Jones assumed command.

    (Who says you can’t swashbuckle your way out of economic hardship?)

  2. Strummerson

    Now, as then, the conflict is internal.  Lincoln tried to hold us together.  In the end, he was provoked into leading us into a war to forge us anew.  I don’t think we are on the brink of a new civil war, but I think we need to recognize that compromise will not produce the unity we crave.  Ideas can be defeated without guns.  We face bad ideas and their adherents have repeatedly declared war and fired upon us.  They use our impulses toward collegiality, civility, commonality against us, and impugn us with accusations to justify their own aggression.  If we cannot reach accord with them and they show themselves willing to burn the republic down around us, then we must confront them and defeat them.  Success is far from assured.

  3. ItStands

    I go to work, come back & I’m front-paged? Always such an honor.

    Some thoughts from today:

    Why do we keep forgetting that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself?” And be careful–tell your friends & family–those spreading panic and fear want you to SELL, SELL, SELL so they can BUY low, SELL high and make tremendous profit off of your fear and insecurity. It seems to me that the rallying cry of these times should really be more of a calm hand on the shoulder and reminder to “keep calm and carry on.”

  5. anna shane

    except for the on-going Bush wars that continue to depress me, I see this as good news. There are consequences from having Republicans tied to stupidity and the rich are now taking a hit. Sure, so am I, and so are everyone else, but the consequences have reached the higher places and what were they smoking thinking there would be none for them. This is for Europe too, they need to print euros and save Greece, and Italy and Spain and god knows who else. When bankers are free to loan to anyone who’ll ask, knowing they’ll be paid back by the government, there needs to be bank regulations to stop them, not global depression.  

    The way I see it, it’s morality run amuk, all this moralizing about who should and who should not be rescued, based on some idea of right or wrong?  How can the pleasure of going cluck cluck beat out going out to dinner, and purchasing all the useless crap you like?  Wake up, Kansas?

    But now there are real consequences to the ‘people that matter,’ they are being educated.  And the voters too, whatever they say, look to a big loss for the Republicans in ’12.

    I predict, Hillary will be our new vice president (the girl needs a rest) and Bill will be our new treasury secretary, Kerry will be SOS, cause of course Barack will win handily and we’ll get all the open senate seats, and all the open house seats.  

    Incompetence is sooo ‘beginning of the century.’ Help me out here someone, how do you say that in French.

    Hi mice.  

  6. fogiv

    but this will burn a hole clean through my skull if I don’t post it:

    I am a little shocked. She says she is a Christian, but the Bible doesn’t say anything about dinosaurs. Should I let him keep them, as long as he understands that dinosaurs aren’t real? Even the PBS shows that he watches talk about dinosaurs and evolution, and how the scientists found these “bones” but the Bible doesn’t say that God ever created them, and the earth is only 6,000 years old, not old enough to have “bones” that they say are MILLIONS of years old! I know that Satan tries to trick us in many ways, and this is one way that he tries to fool man into believing that there isn’t a God who created the universe. How can they be bones when they are made out of ROCKS? I told my son that dinosaurs are one of Satan’s many ways of tricking man, and he must talk to God before he plays with them. Am I handling this right? My first 3 were all girls, and I adopted boys, and lots of mothers tell me that boys are often attracted to these dinosaurs. So I don’t know what to do. Is this just harmless fantasy play for him, or should I be worried that he may go on to believe in things like evolution?

    http://community.babycenter.co…

    Maybe an Abraham / Isaac playset would be more appropriate. Get that Tot a blade.

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