Others,
What preceded
the establishment of our republic as a constitutional democracy?
American
leaders in British colonies had petitioned the monarchy for a peaceful
resolution to the conflicts of the time.
King George
III reacted by characterizing all of the colonists as rebels who needed to be
taught a lesson.
Speech to
Parliament 1775
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/amrev/shots/address.html
http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/amrev/shots/address.html
It had been
the Sons of Liberty who had rebelled against British rule. They had been the
ones who led the Boston Tea Party disguised as Native Americans.
It was John
Adams who advocated that the absolute monarchy of Great Britain needed to be
replaced by another form of tyranny. He had said, “Remember, democracy never
lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There never was a
democracy yet that did not commit suicide.”
Iraq was
liberated from the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, a CIA supported asset, by a
western coalition invasion that was not formally requested. Now they have to
deal with an elective form of government that was not selected by election.
Authoritarian
repression by the newly established government however has been decreased. The
western coalition did not pull the military out before the state could find
stability without using violent repression to establish order.
The following
story conveys a sense of how things are progressing.
Bottoms Up
for Democracy in Iraq
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/weekinreview/17booze.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/17/weekinreview/17booze.html?pagewanted=all
Freedom of
Religion has yet to show statistical significance in regards to changing the religious
population of a large industrialized nation. Members of religions that are the
largest majority remain the largest majority. The difference in percentage
between the different religious groups remains large between the majority and
the minorities.
The most
statistically significant change has been the increase in the number of people
who are not affiliated with a religion.
The “Bottoms Up” story shows a movement in the direction of opposition
to religious intolerance.
The Arab
Spring has shown that there is a widespread discontent with authoritarian
regimes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring
Elections in republics magically seem to render the same results for the established leaders when there were no term limits. Mubarak had been in power by “election” for thirty years. He had been there since the assassination of Anwar Sadat (1981-2011).
Gaddafi had claimed that he was not the ruler of Libya, but he was in power from 1977 (34 years). The difference there was that there was no elections.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Spring
Elections in republics magically seem to render the same results for the established leaders when there were no term limits. Mubarak had been in power by “election” for thirty years. He had been there since the assassination of Anwar Sadat (1981-2011).
Gaddafi had claimed that he was not the ruler of Libya, but he was in power from 1977 (34 years). The difference there was that there was no elections.
Ben Ali of
Tunisia had been in power for 23 years when he was driven out of the country
for corruption, unemployment, inflation and lack of liberties. Tunisia had claimed
to be a constitutional republic, but their constitution declares that the state
religion is Islam and requires that the president be Muslim.
Government
corruption is analogous to a disease that invades the body. The microbes of
disease often slip in undetected, but manifest in an illness that can be life threatening.
Bacteria and viruses exist in
human being. There are microbes that pre-date human existence. Russian
scientists are exploring a find that will give important information regarding
microbes that existed before we did as a species.
Bacteria and viruses are present
in non-pathological levels in a healthy body. It is conceivable that 'catching
a cold or the flu' is an indicator that behavior was not adapted to keep the
immune system ahead of the pathogenic effect of the virus.
Colds and flu viruses seem to hit most frequently during a change of season. Temperature and moisture levels change rapidly, leaving the immune system open to attack. The remedy, plenty of rest and fluids, can be applied proactively.
Colds and flu viruses seem to hit most frequently during a change of season. Temperature and moisture levels change rapidly, leaving the immune system open to attack. The remedy, plenty of rest and fluids, can be applied proactively.
Moreover, skin care like
moisturizers help to bolster the skin’s defensive role in the immune system.
The following poem is a re-write of psalm that has political and pathological implications.The remedy, plenty of rest and fluids, can be applied proactively.
Saved!The following poem is a re-write of psalm that has political and pathological implications.The remedy, plenty of rest and fluids, can be applied proactively.
Fm. Ps.30
I will exalt you, LORD.
You are my God.
You have raised me from the dead.
You did not let me pass from life.
I cried out
to you in sickness.
You restored me to health.
You restored me to health.
You brought
me up from descent into darkness.
You restored my life as I was descending to the grave.
You restored my life as I was descending to the grave.
Sing to the
LORD people!
Give thanks for the remembrance of holiness.
Give thanks for the remembrance of holiness.
Wrath endures
for a moment.
Favor lasts for a lifetime.
Favor lasts for a lifetime.
Weeping
spends the night.
Joy comes at dawn.
Joy comes at dawn.
When I felt
secure, I said,
“I won’t be disturbed.
You, LORD, have made me
as strong as the mountains
with your favor.”
“I won’t be disturbed.
You, LORD, have made me
as strong as the mountains
with your favor.”
Then your
face was hidden from me.
The darkness became darker.
I was filled with fear.
The darkness became darker.
I was filled with fear.
I cried,
“What profit is there if I go to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
Hear me LORD. Have mercy on me.
Please be my helper.”
“What profit is there if I go to the Pit?
Will the dust praise you or declare your faithfulness?
Hear me LORD. Have mercy on me.
Please be my helper.”
You turned my
mourning into dancing.
You took off my sadness.
You clothed me with joy.
You took off my sadness.
You clothed me with joy.
My heart
sings to you without ceasing.
LORD, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
LORD, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
============================
Life has a
way of reminding us that death will eventually darken each person’s door.
Whitney Houston has passed away at 48 years of age. The song, “I Will Always
Love You” is a testimony to the love for life that she shared.
I remember
when the song became a hit. I had never heard such a beautiful voice. She sings
it with such strength; such clarity; such beauty. Her range is incredible.
Every word is treated with dignity and respect. The annunciation is magnificent.
It is a celebration of the human spirit.
How could you
not love her too? Now she lives on in the memory of those who do.
Happy
Valentine’s Day!
Occupy your
love for self and others,
Steve K.
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