Divided We Fall

Upon signing the Declaration of Independence, Benjamin Franklin said, "Gentlemen, We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately".

When he spoke of hanging, he meant the signers of the Declaration were in very real danger of being literally hanged for the crime of Treason against the crown of England. Hanged by the neck until dead. And unless they united for the cause of freedom, they would die. Nowadays the reference to hanging is not literal, but the sentiment is still appropriate.

I am struck by the obvious parallel between the members of the Continental Congress and the members of today's legislature. Yes, even then there was division among the representatives of congress, not all that different from today.

Of course, in that day the differences were about real issues, not just senseless, baseless partisan politics.

But the issue most important then is the same as it is now, really. The unification of America was and is, crucial to the survival of the United States as we know it. Or at least, how it was originally envisioned.

We again find ourselves at a pivotal point in history.

I was thinking of all the political infighting that's going on currently in the houses of Congress and between the 3 branches of Government and it occurred to me that Osama Bin Laden and his cohorts must surely be smirking and patting each other on the back as they watch the destruction of America, not from terrorists strikes, but from within.

Abraham Lincoln said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand...." That is as true as ever. We are watching our Nation literally self destruct before our eyes. Who cares if Karl Rove revealed the identity of someone who works for the CIA? Does it really matter that Judge Roberts' son was dancing around while his father was being announced as the Presidents nominee for The Supreme Court? Is it really important that Dick Durbin accuses the military of being Nazis? We all know he was just trying to get himself publicity. In fact, I tend to believe that most the accusations being thrown around now are just publicity stunts, as the various contenders position themselves for the next election. Does anyone really put any importance on the inane ravings of Howard Dean?

Abraham Lincoln also said, "If I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how - the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what's said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference."

My point is this: LET IT GO! We have much more important things to worry about in this country than someone's feelings getting hurt. As we debate whether the Supreme Court nominee supports the Republican or the Democrats agenda if confirmed, sinister forces around the world (and some in the United states as well) are plotting the violent overthrow of the United States.

Let's all try to stand together for our freedoms. Let us stop this insane useless bickering and back biting. It is detrimental to our status as the greatest nation in the world.

I look at my young son as I write this and I wonder if there will even be a United States of America when he is my age. If he survives.

Lincoln also said, "Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed." That means we, the people are crucial to the survival of our country. If we cannot hang together, as Franklin said, we will be destroyed.

Lincoln also made this prophetic statement that applies to our current predicament: "At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Bonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide."

How prophetic! And how frightening!

One last quote from Lincoln regarding this subject: "We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."

In conclusion, I would respectfully ask of all Americans, Democrats and Republicans, Liberal and Conservative, put aside these petty squabbles and let's focus on defeating the enemies of freedom now threatening our country.

America must remain "the Land of the free, and the home of the brave."

LIE OF THE DAY:
(note) I promised I would start including Laura Ingraham's "lie of the day" on this blog everyday. It seems inappropriate to todays posting but a promise is a promise.

Lie Of The Day
It's a total red herring to say, 'Oh, we can't show this,' claimed Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy on ABC's This Week, referring to documents that Judge John Roberts drafted when working in the solicitor general's office years ago.


THE TRUTH:
No, it's not a red herring. It's called executive privilege--whereby the deliberative documents of the executive branch are generally considered protected material in order maintain an the free flow of information within the Executive Branch (which includes the SG's office).