Alan P. Halbert
September 5th, 2009, 11:04 am
Liberty Requires Vigilance
It was on the heels of WWII and the Nation had just finished its greatest challenge since the War of Independence. As an average American that was raised in a home that taught us words like Honor, Freedom and Liberty as so many families had paid the ultimate price for liberty. Collectively we gained a deeper understanding of what these words stood for. To use the eloquent words of Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Bixby of Massachusetts “laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom”. America was looking forward towards the future as we were on a road to ever expanding accomplishments and ever greater deeds as our nation emerged from the carnage stronger than ever.
Our Nation has had its share of strife as we witnessed the birth of the Civil Rights movement and bitter divisions of this nation and people. The march for freedom and equality could not and would not be denied! We saw the assassination of many of our Countries leaders whether or not you shared their philosophy they followed the conviction of their beliefs and paid with their lives for a better tomorrow for this great Nation. If nothing else they deserve our deepest honor and respect for their sacrifice.
This Nation has also seen war and civil unrest that pitted an entire generation against the policies of an unpopular war in Southeast Asia. The protesters of these policies were mostly students who took up the call of freedom. Some of these idealistic students gave their lives in the American tradition of dissent leaving their families to wonder what we had we become when we would destroy innocent lives so recklessly? Was this the same Nation that only a few short years ago had seen many of its citizens willingly lay down their lives to stop Fascism and Tyranny?
It was during this time of upheaval that a cancer started to grow in America’s soul and our guiding principle of Freedom of Speech could not stop this disease from growing for to stop it would violate our very being of who we are as a people. We started to see the growth of terrorist organizations like the Weather Underground, Black Panthers, Symbionese Liberation Army and others who wanted to bring about a revolution in this country and instill Leftist, Marxist leanings to our Government.
The Nation gave a collective sigh of relief when we weathered this storm and came out of the fog to a new era of posterity with an ever expanding consumer society and the world’s richest economy! Which only proves the Dollar trumps ideology most of the time? We were lulled to sleep once again, safe in the knowledge that liberty had been saved yet again!
However, the seeds had been sowed during the tumultuous years of the 1960’s and 70’s where many starry eyed students would become the Professors and Leaders of tomorrow. It has now been two generations since the students of yesterday had a chance to shape the future and we are reaping the vengeance of their failed attempt to change this Country all those many years ago!
Some of these radicals have indoctrinated many of the Nations youth on numerous college campuses, homes and public schools across this Nation and instilled Liberal beliefs and Statist views upon willing and eager minds that have become weary of the obligation that Liberty requires vigilance!
These youths are now the leaders of our Society, Government and Media. When we stood with stoic reserve and allowed their beliefs to flourish which has now become a threat to our very way of life. Vigilance had been denied! The American people on the whole are a selfless and generous people who allowed this situation to evolve by complacency and lack of interest in the governance of our Country. Vigilance was ignored! When only a portion of our Citizens exercise their right to vote creates a vacuum that is filled with the Statist’s agenda. Vigilance is condemned!
As I sit writing this I am reminded of the immortal words of Thomas Paine, “These are the times that try Men’s Souls” once again we are on a precipice and our Nations future teeters on the brink of literally falling from God’s Grace! I can only hope that there is enough good citizens left that are willing to pick up the Torch of Freedom and raise our voices to defeat this Cancer once and for all and be ever vigilant for encroachment on our Liberty!
Alan P. Halbert, CMBA
It was on the heels of WWII and the Nation had just finished its greatest challenge since the War of Independence. As an average American that was raised in a home that taught us words like Honor, Freedom and Liberty as so many families had paid the ultimate price for liberty. Collectively we gained a deeper understanding of what these words stood for. To use the eloquent words of Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Bixby of Massachusetts “laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom”. America was looking forward towards the future as we were on a road to ever expanding accomplishments and ever greater deeds as our nation emerged from the carnage stronger than ever.
Our Nation has had its share of strife as we witnessed the birth of the Civil Rights movement and bitter divisions of this nation and people. The march for freedom and equality could not and would not be denied! We saw the assassination of many of our Countries leaders whether or not you shared their philosophy they followed the conviction of their beliefs and paid with their lives for a better tomorrow for this great Nation. If nothing else they deserve our deepest honor and respect for their sacrifice.
This Nation has also seen war and civil unrest that pitted an entire generation against the policies of an unpopular war in Southeast Asia. The protesters of these policies were mostly students who took up the call of freedom. Some of these idealistic students gave their lives in the American tradition of dissent leaving their families to wonder what we had we become when we would destroy innocent lives so recklessly? Was this the same Nation that only a few short years ago had seen many of its citizens willingly lay down their lives to stop Fascism and Tyranny?
It was during this time of upheaval that a cancer started to grow in America’s soul and our guiding principle of Freedom of Speech could not stop this disease from growing for to stop it would violate our very being of who we are as a people. We started to see the growth of terrorist organizations like the Weather Underground, Black Panthers, Symbionese Liberation Army and others who wanted to bring about a revolution in this country and instill Leftist, Marxist leanings to our Government.
The Nation gave a collective sigh of relief when we weathered this storm and came out of the fog to a new era of posterity with an ever expanding consumer society and the world’s richest economy! Which only proves the Dollar trumps ideology most of the time? We were lulled to sleep once again, safe in the knowledge that liberty had been saved yet again!
However, the seeds had been sowed during the tumultuous years of the 1960’s and 70’s where many starry eyed students would become the Professors and Leaders of tomorrow. It has now been two generations since the students of yesterday had a chance to shape the future and we are reaping the vengeance of their failed attempt to change this Country all those many years ago!
Some of these radicals have indoctrinated many of the Nations youth on numerous college campuses, homes and public schools across this Nation and instilled Liberal beliefs and Statist views upon willing and eager minds that have become weary of the obligation that Liberty requires vigilance!
These youths are now the leaders of our Society, Government and Media. When we stood with stoic reserve and allowed their beliefs to flourish which has now become a threat to our very way of life. Vigilance had been denied! The American people on the whole are a selfless and generous people who allowed this situation to evolve by complacency and lack of interest in the governance of our Country. Vigilance was ignored! When only a portion of our Citizens exercise their right to vote creates a vacuum that is filled with the Statist’s agenda. Vigilance is condemned!
As I sit writing this I am reminded of the immortal words of Thomas Paine, “These are the times that try Men’s Souls” once again we are on a precipice and our Nations future teeters on the brink of literally falling from God’s Grace! I can only hope that there is enough good citizens left that are willing to pick up the Torch of Freedom and raise our voices to defeat this Cancer once and for all and be ever vigilant for encroachment on our Liberty!
Alan P. Halbert, CMBA