I’m sitting at my computer listening to all the fireworks, both public at the Bayfront Festival Park and private. We can see some of the Bayfront fireworks if we look out our front upstairs window at the right angle. But is enjoying fireworks patriotism? People all over the world enjoy fireworks.
Is patriotism pledging allegiance to the flag or singing the Star-Spangled Banner. Anybody can do these as a rote exercise. In fact, it seems that the more flags behind a political candidate, the more “patriotic” they are.
Is patriotism “supporting our troops” wherever they are fighting at the behest of our politicians? Many of those wars have led to further wars.
Maybe patriotism is saying that a war is immoral and unwinnable. Remember also that those on the other side think they are being patriotic to their country or cause.
True patriotism is obeying the laws, paying taxes, voting, and speaking your mind about how government is acting. Given these guidelines anybody can be a patriot whether they are Republican or Democrat, “conservative” or “liberal”, or none of the above.
Showing posts with label Fourth of July. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fourth of July. Show all posts
Monday, July 04, 2016
Saturday, July 06, 2013
Declaration of Independence is still a work in progress
For its July Fourth celebration of 1852, the city of Rochester NY invited Frederick Douglass to speak. Danny Glover gives an impassioned reading of that speech.
The accompanying notes intimidate the speech didn't go over so well but gives no further information.
But according to one account, it went over quite well. A letter to Douglass was "Dear Sir-The Ladies of the "Rochester Anti Slavery Sewing Society," desire me to return you their most sincere thanks for the eloquent and able address delivered in Corinthian Hall, on the 5th of July. Anticipating its speedy publication in Pamphlet form, they request that you will furnish them with one hundred copies for distribution:
In behalf of the Society,
SUSAN F. PORTER, President.
See http://www.lib.rochester.edu/index.cfm?PAGE=2945
As I suspected, the Danny Glover version is a shortened version of Douglass' speech. Few 19th Century orators would give an eight-minute speech.
I admit it, my 20th Century eyes don't have the patience to read through the complete speech. Now, will I get back to it before I read all the Federalist Papers or the Wealth of Nations? I have my doubts I will read completely through any of the three.
The accompanying notes intimidate the speech didn't go over so well but gives no further information.
But according to one account, it went over quite well. A letter to Douglass was "Dear Sir-The Ladies of the "Rochester Anti Slavery Sewing Society," desire me to return you their most sincere thanks for the eloquent and able address delivered in Corinthian Hall, on the 5th of July. Anticipating its speedy publication in Pamphlet form, they request that you will furnish them with one hundred copies for distribution:
In behalf of the Society,
SUSAN F. PORTER, President.
See http://www.lib.rochester.edu/index.cfm?PAGE=2945
As I suspected, the Danny Glover version is a shortened version of Douglass' speech. Few 19th Century orators would give an eight-minute speech.
I admit it, my 20th Century eyes don't have the patience to read through the complete speech. Now, will I get back to it before I read all the Federalist Papers or the Wealth of Nations? I have my doubts I will read completely through any of the three.
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