13th Good

We have a pretty good country here. Of course, it has its flaws, its lumps an bumps. But for the most part, we live in the greatest country in the world. Well, except for a whole bunch of those Northern European Countries. And Canada. And Uruguay. Seriously, the United States is a good place to live. We are a country founded on Freedom.

I bring this up for a couple of reasons. I think at this point in our country-life, we need to be very careful about what is happening with our Freedoms. It is my view that most people are not truly cognizant of what is taking place with our rights. We are walking a very fine line right now. But, there is much division on this subject. Many people dismiss this suggestion. However, I am seeing too many indicators that those people in power would like to restrict “who” can do “what” in this land. And. I have learned never to take anything for granted. Nothing we “have” outside of ourselves, is truly ours. I will leave it there for now.

I’m reminded today about these freedoms. Today is the anniversary of the 13th Amendment being formally adopted into the U.S. Constitution. The year was 1865. It ensured that “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude… shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

That was a big dang day here in the United States. A big dang day!  Before the American Civil War,  a man named Abraham Lincoln (and, of course, many other leaders of the anti-slavery Republican Party) thought it would be a good idea to do something about the inhumane practice of slavery in our land.

As you know, much transpired from there, including the Emancipation Proclamation. But, after a long and horrible Civil War, the Union states emerged victoriously, and as a result, the 13th Amendment came to be. Thankfully.

Nothing can turn this back, right? Who would want to repeal such a thing as slavery?  Well, recently in the news, a candidate for the Senate (Alabama), one Roy Moore, proposed that we should do away with all Constitutional Amendments after the 10th. That means slavery would be back on the books. And, uhnnnnn, women would lose their right to vote.

See comment above about the danger of our freedoms.

Another thing which called out to me yesterday was 60 Minutes. They did a lengthy piece on the movement of White Supremacy in America. I was shaking in my boots after watching this report. Shaking. White Supremacy is alive and well here in our country, and our current President has condoned its existence. And. Even though I am white, they would like to do away with the likes of me. That worries me to no end.

See comment above about the danger of our freedoms.

For as long as I can remember, I have been proud and happy to be a citizen of the United States of America. But the USA I have known (& loved) was founded on Freedom, as so defined in our Declaration of Independence, that “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 is the country I believe in. It is more than great when these foundations are safe, and sound, and in place. I sincerely hope we can keep it that way.

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If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. — George Washington

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Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it. — Mark Twain

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My dream is of a place and a time where America will once again be seen as the last best hope of earth. — Abraham Lincoln

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