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Words, deeds, and a few missteps along the way

6/28/2020

6 Comments

 
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Every time Independence Day rolls around, I think about the contradictions between the soaring ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the baser actions of the author. There’s a lesson in there for all of us, if we care to give it any thought.
 
Thomas Jefferson worked to undermine George Washington while serving as Secretary of State within his administration. He spoke of equality while owning slaves. Like many southern gentlemen, he held a rank in the militia, but never dirtied his hands in combat. He racked up enormous debts he couldn’t repay in his lifetime, leaving his heirs to deal with the fallout. He placed the autonomy of states, specifically his own state, above the security of the nation. As founding fathers go, he was the worst.
 
And yet…he penned what remains one of the most revolutionary and inspirational documents in human history: The Declaration of Independence. An open letter to the rest of the world, the declaration argued that governments are subservient to the rights of the governed and that all men are created equal. In a world of kings and commoners, the idea that royal subjects could simply say, “You’re not the boss of me anymore,” was about as radical as you can get.
 
Every year around this time, I re-read the Declaration of Independence and every time I get misty as it ends with, “We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” Signing the document was pretty much the same as signing a death warrant for John Hancock and all the delegates who followed, and all of these were prominent men with both lives and fortunes in the balance.
 
When I read the Declaration, I’m always challenged by two major topics. The first is the airing of grievances against George III and his government. Run through the list and you’ll find a half dozen, or more, complaints that many people levy against our own government today. This isn’t a political blog, so we’re not going to dive into all the similarities and differences between then and now, but it’s a telling reminder of the tensions that always exist between individual citizens and their governments.
 
Second, and more challenging to me, is the stark difference between the ideals of the author and his lifelong practices. Jefferson was both a radical in theory and a conservative in practice, which made him a hypocrite. 
 
We’re all like that, aren’t we? We pen open letters to the world, proclaiming our ideals and our morality, but we might be just a trifle looser about that vision when it comes to our institutions, our state, our leaders…and ourselves. We might insist on holding others to high standards while writing ourselves a Get Out of Jail Free card. We just might be more like Thomas Jefferson than we ever recognized, although not in a good way.  
 
BTW, if you haven’t read the DOI lately, here’s a link to the text at the National Archives. Have a great holiday.
 
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6 Comments
Dan Wolf
6/28/2020 11:33:30 am

Spot on. Maybe we should rethink toppling every statue of anyone who uttered something that offends our 21st century sensibilities. Confederate traitors are one thing, Tom Jefferson, U.S. Grant and Teddy Roosevelt are quite another.

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Dad Writes
6/28/2020 02:28:22 pm

I think there is an absolute bright line that precludes honors for people who committed treason against the United States. That includes statues, naming of forts, holidays, etc. After that, it gets very tricky very fast, but that is possibly a post for a future date.

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Steve
6/28/2020 12:40:22 pm

Thanks Michael, you were able to wade into the political pool and not create waves (ripples yes)...but good point, in that all are flawed and worthy of admonishment (ourselves included). People are looking to tear down the past...I think it is best to keep it present where everyone can see it...learn from it.

I forget the source, but the quote still applies "those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it." (maybe that was you?)

Let's celebrate the fact that we have far more in common as Americans...we have only to look at 9-12 after the terrorist attacks, and the vibrant love, mercy and humanity in the face of such evil. There was no need to say that a Black Fireman died, or a Brown Policeman died, or a white Priest died...they were all Americans who did one of the most heroic, beautiful things one could ever do...give their life in service for others. We do them a disservice, and even profane their sacrifice by allowing this false narrative to take hold.

There are those who make a living off of division...let's drown them out with acts/words of love and unity.

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Dad Writes
6/28/2020 02:32:39 pm

The quote is generally attributed to George Santayana.

I have mixed feelings about certain honors given to certain people, but I would absolutely prohibit honors to people who engaged in an insurrection against the United States. I know of no country that celebrates its traitors like we do, and it is quite simply wrong.

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Craig Wilson link
6/28/2020 01:22:20 pm

Bitingly good.

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Dad Writes
6/28/2020 02:33:28 pm

Thanks. Wait'll you see what we have cooked up for Constitution Day.

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