THE U.S. IS A HOUSE DIVIDED

This week I declare , somewhat with tongue in cheek,
that we do not learn from history I will use a number
of quotes to illustrate that point. This is cross cultural
but primarily is applied to our sad state of existence as
a people now. There is something for everyone here left,
right, religious, agnostic etc.etc.etc.
The first quote is the most universal of all and is found
in the bible. This wise but mostly ignored, often proven
fact, has been a reality for some time. Matthew 12:25
Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom
divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house
divided against itself will stand. ...If the members of a
group fight each other, the group will disintegrate". This
rings true and is good advice for Republicans and Democrats
who have destroyed order and created chaos in their
stubborn division. For no good reason or purpose.

Abraham Lincoln considered division when he declared in
his "House Divided" Speech
Lincoln stated: "Familiarize yourselves with the chains of
bondage and you prepare your own limbs to wear them
What constitutes the bulwark of our own liberty and
independence? It is not our frowning battlements, our
bristling sea coasts, our army and our navy.... Our
reliance is in the love of liberty which God has planted
in us. Our defense is in the spirit which prizes liberty as
the heritage of all men, in all lands everywhere. Destroy
this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism
at your own doors. spirit which prizes liberty as the
heritage of all men, in all lands everywhere".
"House Divided" Speech by Abraham Lincoln

A brief pause for humor, What is the nickname of a
1925 court case in which John Scopes was charged
with teaching evolution in the classroom? The trial was
nicknamed the ChaCha. Another example of the halting
of progress in the history of man and monkey. This was
a phrase that was generated by the sensational press of
the time and not lady GaGa. This divided the nation
pretty much down the middle into the religious right
and the "scientific left".

"George Washington delivered this speech over 200
years ago. The General spoke from a prepared text for
approximately five minutes. The remarks were built
around a series of parallel constructions that
emphasized the men's common sacrifice. They
had become like family, and he only wanted what
was just and right for them. But they must not be
imprudent or disloyal, not after having gone through
so much together, and not when so the men were
moved by his appeals--in fact, it was the most powerful
speech they had ever heard him deliver. To illustrate
I wish to turn to the man, the 200Th anniversary of
whose passing we shall be celebrating within the
week, and that is George Washington. We don't
usually think of Washington this way, but the historical
record bears out that the father of our country was a
master rhetorician when it came to expressing
love to, and eliciting love from, an audience. "from an
article by Gleaves Whitney-Recovering Rhetoric: How
Ideas, Language and Leadership can Triumph in
Most-Modern Politics". Published on January 14,
2000 by Gleaves Whitney

The speech was given by Washington when he got
wind of a mounting insurrection that was dividing
the war effort into two camps among his officers.
This was a crucial and deciding factor in this conflict that
would have undermined the nations defense.

Another pause for humor of a ironic nature. "Democracy
is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better
than we deserve". George Bernard Shaw. (1856 - 1950)
One must realize that Bernie must have had the average
American of today in mind when he uttered these words. You are
often the enemy not government.
Napoleon Bonaparte must have had a crystal ball when
he said that [Medicine is] "a collection of uncertain
prescriptions the results of which, taken collectively,
are more fatal than useful to mankind". French general
& politician (1769 - 1821).

Recently Obama has set up a new matrix for a new racist
attitude which was already at the root of some of his
unpopularity. This is a speech by By Aloha kakou. Mahalo.
Directed at the people of Hawaii who have for years
practiced a de-facto racism towards the indigenous people
of this far away state. Mostly known as a great all inclusive
golf vacation spot for the rich. No one leaves the safety of the
golf course to venture into the world of injustice and racism
that is outside. "The people of Hawaii are thoroughly intermarried and
intermingled. We live, work, pray, and attend school
side by side in the most racially integrated society
in all of America. What history and the free choices
of people have joined together, let not politicians
and racist demagogues rip asunder. Support equality,
unity, brotherhood, and aloha for all."

Obama has in his supposed innocence become the
man who has inadvertently divided the nation
racially for this reason and others he will be a one
term president. We would do well to remember
this quote from the
journal of John Adams. (1735 - 1826),
Journal, 1772 "There is danger from all men. The
only maxim of a free government ought to be trust
no man living ought with power to endanger the
public liberty".

Perhaps Obama has inadvertently done this but as
Harry Truman said " The buck stops here" Our
president is where the buck stops and no matter
how you rationalize it he is responsible for this sad
state of the nation. He is also responsible for the
diminished economic and political power that we
have taken for granted for so long.


You might accuse me of cynicism but again George
has some humorous advice for you about real
observation and real blame. "The power of accurate
observation is commonly called cynicism by those
who have not got it". George Bernard Shaw (1856 - 1950)

One of our brilliant past president summed it up in one
quote that rings true with all politicians to the extreme
in this political climate. "You know what's interesting
about Washington ? It's the kind of place where
second-guessing has become second nature"
George W. Bush (1946 - ), Speech on May 17, 2002.
Thank you for those words of wisdom George which
about sums up most of the inhabitants ,underground
,above ground and loitering around the halls in
Washington these days.

Nation building is not needed in Iraq, or Afghanistan
or any place else but right here at home in the U.S.A.
We are paralyzed and divided by fear and mistrust
that there is now a critical need to rebuild the nation.
Not in the same old way but with a realistic eye to
the future. Again, "There is danger from all men. The
only Maxim of a free government ought to be to trust
no man living with power to endanger the public liberty".
John Adams (1735 - 1826), Journal, 1772

We have entrusted the nation to a man who for whatever
reason he has endangered public liberty simply by his
lack of leader ship, lack of accomplishments, and the
failures in domestic and foreign policies. Now we have
lost a war and the hearts and minds of most of most of
the world. " What others think of us would be of little
moment did it not , when known, so deeply tinge what we
think of ourselves". Paul Valery (1871 - 1945)

Until the restoration of our "status" as a world power
and leader we will, as individuals, remain in this sad state.
We are a nation divided, fragmented, and paralyzed
by our own inadequate sense of self.