Tattered Patriotism
This is a picture of the flag that was on PT-109, President Kennedy’s boat during WW II. It was replaced shortly before the boat went down. It is one of the few physical remnants that still exist. I took this photo while visiting the JFK Library in Boston a few years ago. For me, and on this day, it is so symbolic for many reasons. I’m not here to voice an opinion about one candidate over another. In fact, JFK himself left a legacy of doubt for many of his naysayers. The quotes I have chosen for today’s post are powerful. We may disagree on who should or should not lead this country, but we can’t argue about the people behind the quotes or the irony it adds to our current history.
“The liberty of democracy is not safe if the people tolerated the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than the democratic state itself. That in its essence is fascism: ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or any controlling power.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
I wonder why the voices of the people have disappeared. Whatever you believe about the opposing candidate, you are probably correct. We have always had faith to rely on. We have held onto our resilience as a people, believing that we would eventually be able to rise above it all.
“We must reject the idea that every time a law is broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions.”
Ronald Reagan
I won’t offer an opinion on who should lead us into the future, but I believe we can do better.
“May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.”
Peter Marshall
If America were a ship, we would have lost our anchor. I don’t know what defines a safe port anymore. We all long for the day when both feet are on solid ground again.
“America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”
Abraham Lincoln
Celebrate today! Today is a day to grasp our history and hold onto everything we have known it to mean for us. Hope will always be enhanced by our dreams.
“My dream is a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth.”
Abraham Lincoln
Happy 4th of July, just don’t drink the lemonade!
Talk soon…
G