"August words" (C.S.Lewis)

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We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness; that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Comments

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Excellent post . . . I just wish someone in the White House would actually read and heed them, sigh.

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

*stands at attention*

A friend pointed out recently that it's "the pursuit of happiness;" not the right to be happy, but the right to seek it. Anyway.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Exactly. The last essay C.S.Lewis wrote before his death was exactly about this distinction. That is also where I found his description of this passage as "august words."

[fpb.livejournal.com]

I have to say, I do not share your view of George W. Bush. Sooner or later I have to post on this matter, because I agree with nobody - so far as I can see.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Though I think he's a typical spoiled rich boy too stupid to know he's lying because he cannot understand his cue cards, and that those writing the cards for him to read out are venal crooks, I don't see any reason in getting into fights with anyone who disagrees. The Constitution they seem to be ignoring does spcifically give citizens the right to disagree with one another in safety. (Despte all the proliferation of civil rights violations in the name of "homeland security".) And I assume the right of citizens to disagree goes to those outside the country; we wield too hard a hammer in the world's politics not to listen when others protest.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

Boy, that's subtle. And I suppose that those who voted for him were morons. I am no supporter of President Bush, but a word of advice: as long as you keep wearing blinkers that big and black, you will always "misunderestimate" him, as you did those before him, and as you will those after him. Paying lip service to the right to disagree from you does very little when you are treating most of those who disagree as morons.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

It's more pent-up frstration. Morons, no. In my own family, (birth and in-laws) are those who voted for Bush, fewer the second time--at my place of employment, same deal. But from what I'm hearing at family gatherings, and aroud the faculty lunch table now, the former adherents are either soured or silent--not because of fear of reprisal, but indicating unresolved questions whose answers seemed so clear six years ago, two years ago. Mt sister, who until this election, has been as firm a supporter of the Republcans as I ahve been the other side, is the most vociferous about changing sides; even my grandmother of '92 feels angry about the present administration. Definitely not morons; at this stage of presidential cycle, I am more interested in why people stay loyal than I was before 2000.

I apologize for what appears to have been the tone of the previous--the hyperbole of the sort of grim 'humor' that's become a familiar tone around me, on TV, in papers, even in lines at the bank. I define it as the sort of hyperbole that one resorts to when feeling a mixture of fear, betrayal, and helpless--though because I'm inside that bubble, I might see things distorted: from outside, no doubt, everything appears differently.

[fpb.livejournal.com]

It does. And your reference to TV and papers tells me where it all comes from. I ceased to have any respect for the established media of the "free world" - of which the Americans aren't even the worst - long ago; and one day you may come to feel the same.

[sartorias.livejournal.com]

Yes, you're very right about the media, which just adds to the frustration. Though the story-mind is fascinated in watching how people go about gathering their information these days: when I was growing up in the fifties, my folks read the L.A. Times every day, and listened to their favorite anchor person on one of the 9 channels, and maybe read a couple magazines, and they considered themselves well informed.

[patchworkmind.livejournal.com]

Well put.

It's the all-consuming seige mentality, coupled with instant communication technology, that is really screwing things up. It's not that things weren't screwed up before. It's just now it happens faster, and it's building to something very bad down the road.

[patchworkmind.livejournal.com]

Many stay "loyal" because they find the party across the aisle still less palatable than the one they voted in. Others either go apathetic or defect to the Libertarian Party (neutral secular) or Constitution Party (vociferously evangelical Christian), both with the same essential result.

If I hadn't been absolutely certain Bush was going to beat Gore, then I'd've voted for Bush. It wouldn't have been to support the Republicans as it would have been to defeat the Democrats. I, however, am libertarian -- possibly borderline anarchist.