Equal... and I don't mean the sweetener

What is equality?

Equal

* Main Entry: 1 Equal
* Pronunciation: \ˈē-kwəl\
* Function: adjective
* Etymology: Middle English, from Latin aequalis, from aequus level, equal
* Date: 14th century

1 a (1) : of the same measure, quantity, amount, or number as another (2) : identical in mathematical value or logical denotation : equivalent b : like in quality, nature, or status c : like for each member of a group, class, or society
2 : regarding or affecting all objects in the same way : impartial
3 : free from extremes: as a : tranquil in mind or mood b : not showing variation in appearance, structure, or proportion
4 a : capable of meeting the requirements of a situation or a task b : suitable

I want to address points 1 and 2 in today's topic.
See the problem is that too many in our world, in our country, want us to believe that equal means something else.

Equal, to them, means... "because you are different from the "norm" you get preferential treatment."

Because you choose to follow a different lifestyle or because you look different you get all the perks, you get all the choices, you get special consideration.

I think Equal ought to be just that. We are supposed to have been created equal that's what the writers of the constitution believed.
We ought to all be given the same, EQUAL chances.

I know this might sound a little odd coming from me but hey let's think about it.

I can hear it now... "but you are against abortion! How hypocritical!"

Ah but see that is part of my point. Why are you so determined that the child who is unborn does not get the EQUAL chance to live?

See it fits.

But really. We need to learn from our mistakes. And the mistakes of others.

We are merely continuing the inequalities that plagued us and led us to war 150 years ago.

How many more have to suffer and die?

United?

I hate to say this. I really do. but lately I have been reflecting on our country (the U.S.) and realized that we need to rename it.

See U.S. stands for United States. But we are no longer united!
We are no longer... us.

We are a contrary, divided, backstabbing, self interested, selfish, self centered, me first kinda place.

We are no longer concerned with us as in YOU and me; No we are now only interested in the me part.
It's all about me! Me first, I don't care about you as long as I get what I want. who cares about everyone else. Me, ME, ME, Me, I, I, I, I...

Maybe we ought to disband the federal government entirely and throw the governing of the people to the individual states.
Give the states the status of being their own independent countries. Most of them are big enough!

I know this sounds cynical, but let's face it. the ideals the founding fathers were for, most in our current government seem to be against.

Freedom is a great example. The founders (except for Benjamin Franklin) all liked the idea of the bald eagle being a symbol for our country.
The Eagle soars over everything! It is free from all that fetters others. But of course people today are more worried about safety.

Will my kids be safe? How about me? when I get on a plane the authorities better make sure I won't get hurt/Hijacked/killed... But what about freedom?

What about the spirit that says,

"yeah I might be risking my life but at least I am free! I can pursue my dreams even though it might entail risk."

Well not anymore buddy... you gotta make sure it's safe or you can't do it.

I'm talking about the spirit that allowed Orville and Wilbur Wright to give us the chance to soar like the eagle.
It is the same spirit that let Lewis and Clark map the country when it was still wild.
The same spirit that, I believe, infused Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Theodore Roosevelt, The pioneers, the Old west lawmen, and so on.

Without that spirit, how much more dull would history be? Oh not that I think history is dull.
Quite the contrary. History, especially American History, is full of awesome things. But if the people who made it so awesome had the same attitude we do today, then nothing would have gotten done. It would have been as exciting as wet toilet paper.

We would have never populated the west, made it to the moon, and we would have never had the guts to stand up and do what was right.

What is it to be united?

During the Revolutionary war they were united in defeating the British, (and again in 1812).
During the "Civil war" the states that remained united eventually agreed on freeing others (the slaves)
In the two World wars they were united against fascism and dictators who would commit genocide and "rule the world".

I have often heard the generation of my grandparents called the last great generation. Why is that???

It is because, when faced with adversity, they didn't wimp out, they didn't say "oh but we just want to be safe." they stood up and said,

"NO! NO more! this will not happen now! we are going to do what needs to be done! we are going to do what is right! and we will do no less than all we can for freedom!"

Right now I want to challenge my generation and all those younger than us. let us take the example of our grandparents and great grandparents! let us stop being so selfish! Let's stand up and say "NO! No more. it is time to do what is right and preserve our country as the founding fathers would have done (Indeed as they HAVE done.)
There is no excuse or reason not to.

Safety be "darned" what use is it to be safe in a pen waiting to be slaughtered? when we could be living free and wild soaring on the breeze.

Then when we Unite in that goal,Unite in the idea that we should strive together for what is right and good (not just what we can get out of it) maybe then we can be called the UNITED States once again.

To quote J.F.K. "Ask NOT what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Freedom?

Yes that’s right today’s topic is a simple one… Freedom.

What does it mean? Why is it important? What is the big deal anyway?

One thing we see consistently is that time after time men have fought for their freedom. And whether ALL the accounts are right or not, the fact remains that there is plenty of compelling arguments that freedom was a major driving force in many if not most of those conflicts.

As evidence I will rely on other’s quotes to make my point…

Benjamin Franklin said,

“Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.”

And,

“Even peace may be purchased at too high a price.”

So what is too high a price for peace? I would conjecture that the loss of freedom is what he references based on this quote of his…

“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

The gist being, Peace (security) is not worth the loss of Freedom (Liberty).

“I prefer liberty with danger to peace with slavery.” ~Author Unknown

“Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.” ~Albert Einstein

Freedom is the last, best hope of earth. ~ Abraham Lincoln

History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. ~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved. ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

So we see there a sense of how important freedom has been, I mean let’s face it we all have heard the famous quote from Nathan Hale…

“I only regret, that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

But during my research for this I found one of his quotes that was equally compelling…

“Let us march immediately,” he said, “and never lay down our arms until we obtain our independence.”

That was before he even joined the military to fight the British. So this was an attitude or belief he held throughout. In fact the concept of freedom was important enough that he signed up BECAUSE of it! And he later agreed to do whatever needed to be done to ensure that freedom for all! this was NOT a fly by night proposition.

But the thing about freedom is that with the privilege of freedom there is a responsibility too.

“Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.” ~George Bernard Shaw, Man and Superman, "Maxims: Liberty and Equality," 1905

“He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from opposition; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself.” ~Thomas Paine

Wait… you mean I have to be willing to allow my opponent the same freedom I am demanding?… YES! But there is more.

“Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

“Here is my advice as we begin the century that will lead to 2081. First, guard the freedom of ideas at all costs. Be alert that dictators have always played on the natural human tendency to blame others and to oversimplify. And don't regard yourself as a guardian of freedom unless you respect and preserve the rights of people you disagree with to free, public, unhampered expression.” ~Gerard K. O'Neill, 2081

“Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it.” ~Thomas Paine

And of course...

“We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.” ~William Faulkner

We cannot shirk these duties. We must defend freedom at all costs. There are many out there that would deny our freedoms and they would do it in ways that are insidious…

“I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” ~James Madison, speech, Virginia Convention, 1788

“The contest for ages has been to rescue liberty from the grasp of executive power.” ~Daniel Webster


“The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.” ~Louis D. Brandeis

“The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.” ~Edmund Burke

So this is all my response / Advice to the current (and future) governments… in order to uphold the freedom/liberties purchased for us at so great a price, you must practice freedom and you must defend it to the uttermost.

“My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular.” ~Adlai Stevenson, speech, Detroit, 1952

“We on this continent should never forget that men first crossed the Atlantic not to find soil for their ploughs but to secure liberty for their souls.” ~Robert J. McCracken

“For what avail the plough or sail, or land or life, if freedom fail?” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

“No one is free when others are oppressed.” ~Author Unknown

All of us need to stand and defend our freedom or we might not have anything to stand for, or anywhere to stand.

So in closing I remind you of one more quote...

" The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

(this is attributed to Edmund Burke.)