Tag: America

‘Liberty and Justice for All?’

 

“Social justice” is a phrase individuals and institutions throw around without definition. But students in my classes can’t get away with such a lazy approach. If a student writes a paper using the phrase “social justice,” I will always, somewhere in my comments, ask two questions:

“What is your ‘social’?” and “What is your standard for ‘justice’?”

Here is an example. A student wrote a declarative comment in his paper,

Memorial Day Viewing: 5 Movies and a 10 Episode Series

 

Every day I am reminded of how much I have to be thankful for, living in the United States of America. But on Memorial Day I am especially grateful to the many fighting men and women who have paid the ultimate price to secure my freedom. So, during the Memorial Day weekend, I thought it appropriate to suggest some films that remind us how many others have given their lives on our behalf.

The World War II ten-part series Band of Brothers is the most exceptional television event ever created. The focus is on one company of soldiers, from the time they prepare to go to war through the battles they fought. Watching Band of Brothers, I am always reminded that a few gave everything so the many could experience American liberty.

The 2019 movie Midway is another excellent World War II example of sacrifice. The true-life story is about the famous battle in the Pacific that turned naval warfare to the advantage of the United States. Fury is another World War II film that focuses on one tank crew in an ultimate tale of courage. The movie by David Ayer is a homage to his family and all those who have served in the military.

Quote of the Day: Francis Parkman

 

“If any pale student, glued to his desk, here seeks an apology for a way of life whose natural fruits is that pallid and emasculate scholarship of which New England has had too many examples, it will be far better that this sketch had not been written. For the student there is, in its season, no better place than the saddle, and no better companion than the rifle or the oar.”
American historian Francis Parkman (1823-1893)

My favorite era of American history is the first. Europeans arriving on the shores of a primeval wilderness, wondering if it’s a second Eden or a green hell. Native Americans stumbling upon pale creatures in bizarre clothes rowing to shore from floating wooden islands.

The earliest historian to fully document these encounters is Francis Parkman, a Harvard-educated Boston scion who set aside Yankee comforts to tramp over snowcapped mountains and muddy battlefields.

Proud to Be an American

 

When any one of us makes this claim—that we are proud to be an American—what does it mean? Do we still believe that it’s true? What did it mean to make such a statement 20 years ago? Ten years ago? Two years ago?

I do remember what it meant to me 20 years ago: I was proud that I lived in a country that lived by its Constitution; that our Founding Fathers miraculously created a document that has withstood the test of time; that we developed the strongest military in the world; that most other countries looked to us for guidance, for encouragement, for protection, even for our ingenuity. As a Jew, I felt protected not only by our government, but the people who made up our society, because we were founded on the principle of freedom of religion.

I could count on our government respecting the rule of law; that even though politicians and politics were looked at with skepticism, we trusted for the most part that our legislators would act responsibly. I knew that there was probably nowhere else in the world where I could get such advanced and ethical healthcare. The military was a place where young people could begin their adult life, if for no other reason than that they would learn discipline and take military service as a means to figure out their best destination in life—and that might, in fact, be the military. I could count on getting a good education from K-12 and beyond. I could fly the American flag with pride and honor and know that my neighbors were happy to support my allegiance to it.

Member Post

 

I grew up in Kansas ten miles from the Nebraska border and made many hops across the border. My grandparents owned some farmland in Nebraska and I spent a lot of time planting and harvesting wheat. Through 4-H I was able to visit Chicago and Washington D.C. For whatever reason, Kansas decided to travel by […]

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Respecting the Institutions

 

I went to a high school basketball game this evening to watch my cousin Grace play. As we always do before the first varsity game each night, we stood for the national anthem. I’ve written in years past about the impression this makes on me, the thought of crowds of parents and players in thousands of high school gyms across the country doing exactly the same thing. It’s one of the things that makes me stubbornly optimistic about America, the knowledge that this is a solemn moment for so many, many of whom are largely unconcerned about politics but nonetheless feel pride and reverence toward our flag and the nation it represents.

On the drive home I thought about those who burn flags, or kneel in disrespect to the flag, or otherwise feel and express contempt for our country. I understand criticism, and I respect the right to express criticism. But I think I also understand the desire to tear down, burn down, gut, and destroy whole institutions out of anger and frustration, often in hopes that something better might rise in its place.

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Second only to Old Glory itself, the Betsy Ross Flag is the American icon. Its clean design is similar to our current flag, with 13 stripes and only 13 stars in a circle (representing the equal status of what were then the 13 united individual sovereign nations). This simplicity is perhaps the reason for its […]

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As I read James Lileks’ recent piece, The Apotheosis of Miserablism, I thought of Carl Sandburg’s poem Chicago. I love this poem for the same reason I love noir stories and movies: they capture a time of rugged manly fearlessness that is sadly, pathetically wanting. Years ago we decided that safety was the greatest good, and that fear […]

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Honoring Norman Rockwell: America’s Painter

 

“Four Freedoms,” 1943

Norman Rockwell was not a realist. You aren’t supposed to interpret his paintings as depictions of everyday America as it actually was. No one who lived during his lifetime considered America a hunky-dory paradise populated only by upstanding and friendly citizens. The America he painted was one we wanted, the one we strove for, America as promised by our founding ideals. He focused on the best parts of our country. His artwork is aspirational, not delusional; optimistic, not whitewashed.

A Tribute to Veterans who Make American Freedom Possible

 

Ahead of Veterans Day, I want to make a declaration: I love my country just as anyone who may take pride in their land of birth. I stand in respect when our national anthem is sung. By doing so I give honor to those who died in service of America. I get a lump in my throat when I hear The Star-Spangled Banner sung. Tears fill my eyes when I see the flag saluted by those in uniform, when I see the flag at half-staff to remember someone’s death, or when I see a folded flag handed to the spouse whose mate gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

The American flag is important, the colors and construction are significant. That field of blue symbolizes vigilance, fairness, perseverance. The red focuses on valor and resilience. The white imagines purity and goodness. 50 stars – one for each state – are combined, representing e pluribus unum “out of the many, one.” Thirteen stripes remember the original thirteen colonies whose stand against injustice from an authoritarian leader began the nation’s history.

That flag was fought for, by the one laid to rest in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. His sacrifice stands as representation for the sacrifice of tens of thousands; warriors who have given me my freedom. My freedom comes with responsibility. Liberty lives through sacrifice. I never take my inalienable rights for granted and I never forget those who have sacrificed to make liberty possible.

Atlas Shirks

 

Just a couple of quick thoughts about our nation’s infrastructure, and about what it takes to keep it healthy and robust.

It’s easy for Americans to believe that the human condition is one of relative security, comfort, and ease. That’s been the story of America during my lifetime, after all: since World War II we have enjoyed unprecedented prosperity and security. I grew up taking those things for granted, as did my own children.

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Click here to listen to the podcast On this episode of The Resistance Library Podcast, Sam and Dave discuss the Star-Spangled Banner. It might be impossible to sing, but everyone knows the words to the national anthem of the United States – “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It’s a staple at everything from sporting events to patriotic […]

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Member Post

 

It might be impossible to sing, but everyone knows the words to the national anthem of the United States – “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It’s a staple at everything from sporting events to patriotic rallies. But while everyone knows the song, very few Americans know the story behind it, both the story of the lyrics and […]

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Steven Malanga joins Brian Anderson to discuss the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the sense of patriotism that emerged in their aftermath, and the nation’s waning interest in Islamist terrorism.

Find the transcript of this conversation and more at City Journal.

American Greatness: Can We Redeem Ourselves?

 

“The greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than any other nation, but rather in her ability to repair her faults.” — Alexis de Tocqueville

This quote grabbed my attention because I realized that I may no longer agree with any of it. I know that Tocqueville is admired and celebrated, but I wonder if he could have foreseen what would happen to this country so many years later.

I do think in some ways we are, or at least were, an enlightened country. To me, enlightenment is not a steady state, but a process, and compared to the rest of the world, we were head and shoulders above the rest. We were known for our honoring freedom and opportunity; many who dreamt of coming to this country believed our streets were paved with gold. No other country could offer a life where a person could succeed through hard work and persistence.

The Afghan Withdrawal: Just Another Debacle For A Fallen America

 

As with every other left-induced debacle in contemporary America, the debacle of the Afghan withdrawal leaves rational patriotic Americans shaking their heads in disbelief and disillusionment.  As with all the other debacles: COVID response, open borders, mollycoddling violent criminals, pushing socialism, transgender madness, out of control trillion, zillion spending – they are left to ask the question:  How can all of this be happening in the greatest country in the history of mankind?

But let’s focus on Afghanistan for now, while keeping in mind the context of an America in severe decline.  Look, whether we had twenty years or a thousand years, there was never going to be a way for us to fix Afghanistan.  Why, we could no more fix what’s wrong with Afghanistan than we, apparently, can fix what’s wrong with . . . Portland!  Or San Francisco!  Or Baltimore!  Or Chicago!  Or you name the ruined, Democrat-run American city.  Or for that matter, you name the particular section of the ruined American heartland, which is fast and deliberately being filled up with endless illegals.