Saturday, 04 July 2009
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Happy Complacency Day
American independence - it is sad that on this day of celebration those words ring hollow. It is sad that a whole generation hears the words "American Independence" as an oxymoron. Campaign finance reform, the Patriot Act, secret wiretaps, special provisions for 'enemy combatants,' and a host of other seemingly innocuous terms threaten the most basic principles of our freedom.
Our nation is at war. American ideals are fought for in the streets of Baghdad, but the most perilous danger to everything we hold dear is perhaps the apathy at home. Most people cannot tell you how many have died in the 'war on terror,' and even prior to 9/11 over eighty percent of surveyed Americans indicated a willingness to give up basic rights in exchange for greater security.
What happened to the ideals of freedom and liberty that our forefathers fought, and died, to achieve? What happened to the 'give me liberty or give me death' courage of the American people in battling injustices and overcoming terrible odds?
We have become complacent. We take our freedom for granted. And as we watch dazzling displays of fireworks and laser lights over our nation's cities, the bursting of rockets in air for the cause of freedom has been forgotten. The liberty that was so hard-won is slipping away before our very eyes, and we don't even seem to care.
Do you care about freedom, or is it just another worn out idea in need of replacement?This was originally posted July 4, 2004. Funny how little has changed and how much is still relevant today. The only thing I have edited, is the title and the question, and this note. Those who are tagged, I hope you don't mind, I did it because I thought you would particularly enjoy this post.
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Comments (25)
Excellent Wendi. My sentiments exactly.
Watching the events in Iran and how people there were willing to give up even their lives for freedom made me especially sad. They were willing to sacrifice their security for freedom. We, who have that freedom, are willing to sacrifice freedom for security. Something is just wrong there.
I share your concerns about the state of "freedoms" and the willingness of people to give them up. It breaks my heart.
@captgeno - Thank you, and thanks for the rec
@shy_and_sad - Maybe the grass is always greener on the other side? I don't know. *shaking head*
Yes, I care.
Wendi, I think you are very good at expounding one aspect of the American Value system:
Does Liberty and Freedom mean
Freedom from restraintor The
freedom and ability to actually do something. Obviously you opt for
Freedom from restraint.The problem in modern America is that as a large and developed country, the right to do your own thing has been modified by consensus so as to do two things: Protect you from yourself and the actions of others - e.g. speeding laws - And to modify your impact on others - e.g. Swinging your fist stops at the other guy's nose. Unfortunately the other guy's nose is too close for comfort and it's very difficult for some of us the live the life we choose and still conform to the constraints of a modern, pretty crowded, society.
When I was a kid I roamed unimpeded over a large urban area - bicycling without a helmet, or just freely ignoring "private property" signs. As a teenager living in a rural area I thought nothing of carrying my .22 rifle or pistol - and using it - without fear of police. I sailed my boat to the Bahamas without bothering with such niceties as Customs clearance. But all that was 60+ years ago and even in my lifetime our country has changed ( from a population of about 135M to over 300M, for example). I too yearn for the good old days, but I'm afraid they are gone forever.@tychecat - I would argue that you have presented a false choice, in that the second option is dependent on the first in many aspects. What I opt for, is the liberty that is outlined in the Constitution.
worn out and in need of replacement. We take what we have for granted. No liberty at all is better than liberty that is mishandled
@offG2004 - That is an interesting theory. Can you expound on that a bit?
It's simply what my family has taught and lived by. I have 3 generations of family who have served in the military. They have all said that they would rather live in a country where they had no rights and knew it then lived in a country where they had rights and never cherished them. We've had our liberties expanded and redefined so much that no one truly knows what our freedoms are.
@Loonsounds - I have no idea what you are talking about.
Edit: I think I found what you are referring to. And I'm not intersted in being a party to whatever drama is being alleged, so please leave me out of it.
2nd Edit: You didn't need to delete your post.
@radicalramblings - just being respectful.
My last post was on this very subject. It says pretty much everything I have to say on the subject.
One thing I did not overtly mention in it, however, is that for freedom to work, you have to have a people worthy of it. We no longer have that.
It should be obvious, how much I care. I wouldn't be surprised if the government had me on some list of people to "watch"...because of how much I care.
You know the measure of importance of an idea to someone when they're willing to step into shark infested waters for it.
More people should reply to your post, damnit.
This post brings up a particular, remarkable thing I've noticed as of late. I keep talking to people about these issues, irl, and on my blog of course--and it's quite amazing that so many perceive that we are "just as free" as we ever were. It's almost as if people are head first buried in the sand, lacking the objectivity to process that there is something entirely wrong with facts such as the DHS defining protestors as "low level terrorists--they can't link the erosion of our freedom with it. Maybe it's just me, but I don't get it. I liken it to my teenager telling me that I have nothing to worry about even after I've caught her doing something that is particulary worrisome...how dumb would I be to go --"okay honey...you're right" ?
@ShamelesslyRed - I know. I frequently have people ask me, "What rights have you personally lost? Where has your freedom been violated?" And when I point to these things, which blatantly violate the very core of the constitution, they won't accept it. They believe it is true, but they don't comprehend how it affects our rights.
The disturbing thing is, I wrote this in frustration of that exact issue, over four years ago.
@MyFreedomWings - Oh I find it poetic that a post on apathy got so little response.
I suppose I could, theoretically, agree with you here. But to acknowledge that would mean that I'd have to do something to fight the erosion of our freedoms. Plus, I'm fat and happy and having a really good hair day and don't want to exert myself too much lest I mess it up. So I'll just give this post one big "MEH".
Freedom is one of those truths of this world that seems to be in the process of disappearing. I will continue to do what I know how to do, and that is to educate my grandchildren about fundamental truth. The intent of God's perfect plan for the working of a free society, and the way man has screwed it up! I appreciate you and ShamelesslyRed for waking me up a little. I didn't exactly have my head in the sand, but wallowed a bit in the pit of futility.. Like trying to stop a runaway train. It keep me praying but silent on these issues. So thanks for your level headed education.
@radicalramblings -
I suppose it is, a bit. ^_^'
Bothers me a little though, when you take the time to say something meaningful...especially on apathy and folks just go, "Yawn...zzzzzzz..."
@bronze_for_gold - No, thank YOU, for being willing to read what we write and consider it and also for taking the time to let us know. It means a lot to me, and I am certain it means a lot to Red, too.
I think that having fireworks on Independence Day is strange. I think it would be better spent reading the Constitution, learning more about history, etc. In fact, I think people should do both these things more often, and not just once per year. I think history's important, so we can learn from the good and not repeat the bad.
I am very glad to live in the U.S. We have so many more freedoms than people in many other countries, and I'm very grateful. On the other hand, I think that there are definitley many problems, and that we should pay attention to what's going on, so that we can make improvements.
Thanks for posting!
"pecial provisions for 'enemy combatants"? Just curious as to what that means.
@ShamelesslyRed - My point with that comment was that freedom overall has progressed in our society. Yes there have been recent acts such as the Patriot Act and the DHS that push that back but overall it is a giant arch that ends at more liberty. My next point to you on your post was going to be that a few generations ago you would have been barred from voting because of your gender. Since you replied without linking me to the reply I thought that you had abandoned the debate. It wasn't until today that I saw you had actually replied.
The government will always monitor people. The fact that they told you is probably hinting towards something. Like, think twice beforing using the public telephone system to bomb that buidling. People use YouTube and all sorts of other nonsense to do that shit with, and... people just aren't that smart. Anyway, the problem comes when it takes action against them illegally by the government. AKA, blowing your house up because you insulted a senator over the phone or something.
People who value their things, person (mostly image here) are complacent because they don't want to be seen as this or that or lose their lives, their paycheck.
And a lot of people are just plain crazy. They fight for personal satisfaction, because they've been wronged somehow, and they look externally for things that are quite internal. It's all "their" fault, or some other infamous, vague foe. I have a few myself. I hope we cross paths again. Sometimes it is the fault of another, but you think there are better ways of getting your point across than screaming a few sentences. Crazy.
The web has opened up a whole new avenue because people are mostly anonymous and don't lose face when they state how they feel; they are without consequence, for the most part. They don't think about what they say as much, and this can be good or bad. Who should be the judge?
And how are you not free, anyway? You can go to school. You can work where you chose without escort. You can walk around in the daylight without attracting the police to beat you for entertainment. You are posting ridiculous subjects without anyone threatening to take your life. It seems liberty is ringing in your ears. Perhaps that's why you're deaf.
@freetobedumb - Go on and believe that if you like. But when people are not "secure in their persons and property" (it's from the constitution, if you haven't read it let me know and I'll be glad to send you a free copy) from "unreasonable search and seizure," (yeah that's from the constitution too, it's a pretty important document), there is a problem. I'd like to protect our freedom while we are still free to express the fact that there are problems in what our government is currently doing. I guess we could just sit back and say, well they haven't done anything to me personally yet, so I don't care. Then one day when we wake up and don't have any freedom anymore we'll want to complain and not be able to. But you know what? At the end of the day, you are exactly right in your screen-name. You are absolutely free to choose to remain igorant.
@radicalramblings - I've been buttraped by people, and let me say, the government is not your biggest concern. I am ignorant as a person, but not innocent of strange happenings.
And sure, go ahead and rebel in the way they tell you to. LOL You wouldn't even know until you'd done yourself in, and it's too late. They are tricky people, or they like to think themselves as such.
Anyway, do continue to follow what you chose. You are free to.