Our camp site at Wallowa Lake State Park with a deer
Camping in the Parks ...
It has always been popular. Even more so in these tough economic times. And those observations during recent camping trips has inspired another series -
* Signs of the Times *
The second week of September - after Labor Day, but before everything shut down for the season - seemed like a great time to travel. The kids were back in school. The traffic, we hoped, had thinned down - and it had. And for enjoying the outdoors, most of the pesky bugs had died off.
This late summer our destination was the Wallowas in Oregon. My husband had visited the area in the 1970s, and it had impressed him with its beauty. But I had never seen it before. So the visit was a treat and a new experience for me.
Wallowa Lake behind our tent
At our site - you can see in the photo above - our REI Habitat tent had caught the attention of one of the deer denizens of the Wallowa Mountains. We camped near the lake at the Wallow Lake State Park - which can be seen in my photo to the right.
It was economical. Sharing a campsite with a friend, all three of us stayed in two tents in these gorgeous environs for $20 a night. And there were facilities nearby with flush toilets, running water, showers, and coin operated laundry. At the sites were picnic tables, fire pits, and paved driveways for our vehicles. The area were patrolled and provided a level of security. Near this park were stores and restaurants with local character. So roughing it was not so ... rough.
No need for cooking - though we did build a campfire and gave a try at Jiffy Pop popcorn. (Got half the kernels to pop, but it was fun and the popped kernels were tasty.) In the morning, we had a marvelous breakfast at the Wallowa Lake Lodge. Below is a picture of the lobby.
Wallowa Lake Lodge Lobby
Anecdotal evidence indicated an increase in the camping these last few years. People were still going on vacations - visiting the parks and enjoying them, but opting out of staying at the more expensive lodges.
Camping has been popular as ever. At the park, the first to fill up were the RV sites, then the tent campsites. An employee at the Wallowa Lake Lodge confirmed this observation in the area - nearby, people were staying at the camps, but eating at the lodge.
Later in the trip, we chatted with one of the locals, a young man working at a city park. He said he had camped with his family that summer as a way to have a great vacation on a budget. And this makes sense. We had done that on previous trips.
Milky Way at night
Earlier in the summer, we had camped at a more remote area in Idaho - the Spruce Tree Campground. The campsite was free, but there were limited amenities - just pit toilets, a water pump, and picnic tables. But the remote site quickly filled up - even in the middle of the week.
Using the facilities was less convenient than having a motel room available. But walking to the pit toilet in the middle of the night did have an up side. In the back woods with a clear moonless night, away from the the light pollution of civilization ...
Holy Cow!
What a view!
The Milky Way shines on nature's black dome ceiling displaying the glories of the heavens.
Camping trips were not unique for us. We had continued the trend from last year's late summer adventures -
Lodges typically started over $100 per night on the low side and can be much higher than that in the well known parks. For the National Parks, rooms needed to be booked more than a year ahead. They still fill up fast.
Kind of takes the spontaneity out of life, doesn't it?
But camping was relatively cheap - about $20 per night in the national and state parks. We had no trouble getting a site that morning we arrived - no reservations required. And we shared the same multi-million dollar views as those staying in the more pricey lodges.
Interesting how we have come full circle on this camping thing. Growing up in the 1960s, my most precious memories were camping with my father and brother in the mountains during hunting season. And in the 1930s, my mother-in-law described during the Great Depression how her family had enjoyed the parks, perhaps much like this silent video below.
During the Great Depression, families had fun and camping was an economical way to do so, as suggested in this article: Calisphere - Everyday Life in Hard TimesAnd during hard economic times today, people are still enjoying themselves, spending time with their families, experiencing the beauty of God's creation, as their parents and grandparents had done. And this can be a good thing.
We've come full circle and the surge in camping is one of the
Remember the 1980s? Ronald Reagan was president (1981 - 1989). And during most of the decade (1980 - 1988), Tom Selleck starred in Magnum, P.I.
Magnum PI stencil
If you missed the show when it was first on the air and/or its reruns (I have all 8 seasons on DVD), it was story of a hunk, Thomas Magnum - a Vietnam vet, a former Navy SEAL, who had suddenly resigned from a promising career in the Navy.
His reason?
"I woke up one day at 33 and realized I had never been 23." (reference: Magnum, P.I.)
But Thomas Magnum landed in a sweet spot as a security consultant at a millionaire playboy's Hawaiian estate while working on the side as a private eye. He solved mysteries and stopped crimes (mostly for beautiful women) in the paradise of the Aloha State.
And Magnum's boss Robin Masters, highly successful writer of lurid pulp fiction and provider of Magnum's cool pad on his estate Robin's Nest, was hardly ever home. And Magnum got the keys to Robin's red Ferrari (not exactly inconspicuous for a private eye to be driving.) What a deal!
The character of Thomas Magnum was a free spirit and at times a little immature. To balance this "boy" in a Hawaiian shirt and shorts was Jonathan Quayle Higgins III, the caretaker of Robin's Nest. Higgins was the father figure, veteran of World War Two, master of law and order, the consummate Englishman and British soldier, who adored Queen Elizabeth II and admired General Bernard "Monty" Montgomery. The two balanced each other - like yin and yang.
World War Two and Vietnam vets together in one series ...
And this series was unique in that it may have been the first to celebrate the "Greatest Generation" and World War Two veterans in the character of Jonathan Higgins with the Baby Boomers and Vietnam veterans in the characters of Thomas Magnum and his comrades-in-arms "Rick" Wright and "TC" Calvin.
This series reflected the pop culture of the 1980s and here is the opening scene of this 8-season show:
This series rocketed Tom Selleck to major stardom and later more plum roles. Among them, Quigley Down Under (1990), Monte Walsh (2003), and a favorite TV movie series of mine - Jesse Stone(2005 - 2012).
And as Magnum, P.I. ended in 1988, so did the Reagan years in 1989.
Reagan prepares for farewell address
On the more serious side as the 1980s drew to a close, President Reagan's farewell address sounded a warning for America's future, which included the pop culture. Here are some key excerpts -
"An informed patriotism
is what we want. And are we doing a good enough job teaching our children what
America is and what she
represents in the long history of the world? ... The movies celebrated democratic values and
implicitly reinforced the idea that America was special. TV was
like that, too, through the mid-sixties."
I blogged about this as I kicked off the Culture 101 series - Reagan's Challenge. And the President gave some advice on how to pass on American values to the following generations:
"And let me offer lesson
number one about America: All great change in
America begins at the dinner
table. So, tomorrow night in the kitchen I hope the talking begins. And
children, if your parents haven't been teaching you what it means to be an
American, let 'em know and nail 'em on it. That would be a very American thing to
do."
Old fashioned? And how does President Reagan's warning and advice tie in with Tom Selleck as we approach another anniversary of 9/11 in the 21st century?
Thirty years after Magnum P.I., Tom Selleck now stars in another TV series - Blue Bloods (2010). And he took on the character of Frank Reagan, who comes from an Irish-American family with a long tradition of being police officers. Frank Reagan was a Marine, a Vietnam vet, and an NYPD officer, who rose to Police Commissioner of New York City.
The Reagans on the show seem to heed President Reagan's advice in his 1989 farewell address. The extended family often gather around the dinner table on Sundays having meaningful discussions and debates while reinforcing American values. They are also regular church goers and, when they mention the Name of the Lord, it's not in vain, but with reverence as saying grace.
The scene below, Frank Reagan's father Henry had suffered a heart attack before Thanksgiving. As the patriarch recovers, the family gathers at the hospital for Thanksgiving dinner. Foremost, Henry leads the family in giving thanks to God for His many blessings.
Some camera shots show a picture of the Twin Towers in the background of Commissioner Frank Reagan's office. One of the stories revealed that Frank Reagan with his partner John McKenna were the first responders to 9/11, and they were in the North Tower - getting people out - when the South Tower collapsed.
Statue of Liberty and WTC at 9/11
The episode - "The Job"- dealt with the cancer death of Frank's former partner, Chief John McKenna, who may have gotten ill from complications of breathing the air at Ground Zero. Frank has survivor's guilt and has trouble sleeping. He reluctantly talks to a psychiatrist about his experiences during 9/11 ...
Where were you on 9/11?
Later, Henry talks to Frank about faith in God and God's work in their family, though they may not always understand it. And Frank later gives a moving eulogy for Chief John McKenna and mentions his partner's bravery during 9/11. Then Frank visits to the September 11 Memorial as closure.
Below is the audio from this part of the episode with some still shots. It's worth a listen and is a wonderful tribute to all the first responders on September 11, who saved many lives, as well as those who wonder why bad things happen to good people. (The episode can be watched here: "Blue Bloods" The Job (2012))
Why God?
This very question was asked by Job. And the Apostle Paul gives a response that we often don't understand why - For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV )
The TV series, Blue Bloods, takes up President's Reagan's challenge as it reinforces American values and culture as well as faith in God and remembering September 11.
And, Lord willing, American culture will continue to be reinforced in this series ...
Burma-Shave was a brush-less shaving cream company, started in 1925. Eventually, the company was sold to Philip Morris in 1963 and faded from our consciousness. But Burma-Shave has left its mark in Americana for its clever advertising jingles displayed on highway signs. (reference: Feeling nostalgic? Now you'll rave! Here's the story of Burma Shave)
Yes, back in 1955 Burma-Shave did offer a free trip to Mars as a promotional gimmick as shown in the ditty above. (reference: Burma-Shave jingles 1955)
But the company did not count on one determined man, Arliss French, from Appleton, Wisconsin to take them up on it. Mr. French gathered those 900 empty jars. And Burma-Shave did keep their word and sent Mr. French and his wife to Mars. Only it was spelled - Moers (pronounced "mars") and it was in Germany, that is. (reference:Snopes - True)
Burma-Shave's jingles and sending a customer to Mars (though in Germany) in 1955, two years before Sputnik, attest to American Ingenuity (AI).
This humorous story also shows the fascination we have had with the Red Planet. Just google "Mars." (Speaking of Google, as we have Google Earth, we have Google Mars. Enough said.) But according to the Science Fiction of the 1950s, we are long overdue in sending men to the Mars - check out: Mars Science Fiction.
The future isn't what it used to be ...
Neil Armstrong in 1969
On the topic of space travel, one of the heroes of American Ingenuity and Exceptionalism is Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, who passed away recently (August 25, 2012).
These cuts coincide with last few years when belief in American Exceptionalism and American Ingenuity has been shaken. The $16 trillion debt, high unemployment, deep recession, diminishing world influence lead to the conclusion that America is in decline. (reference: Is America A Nation In Decline? - Forbes)
One columnist, Craig Shirley, laments the death of Neil Armstrong with the death of American exceptionalism as political elites seem to question that notion. Our clear sense of right/wrong and good/evil have been replaced by "moral equivalency." Shirley writes that as a young boy, John F. Kennedy inspired him, but as a middle-aged man, Barack Obama dispirits him. (reference: Armstrong and the Death of American Exceptionalism)
American Ingenuity and Exceptionalism dead?
As Americans mourn the passing of Neil Armstrong, earlier in the month of August, NASA has breathed new life in the American spirit by the success of the Mars mission - Curiosity.
SciFi icon William Shatner - "Captain Kirk" - narrates the sophisticated technical maneuvering to navigate this rover successfully to the Martian surface. Below, he details the "Grand Entrance" as it was planned to happen when touching down on Mars -
And here is what really happened, August 5, 2012 -
Whew!
White House Science Adviser John Holdren said in a post-landing briefing:
"If anybody has been harboring any doubts about the status of US leadership in space, there is a one-ton automobile sized piece of American ingenuity, and it is sitting on the surface of Mars right now." (reference: New York Times - Curiosity Rover Lands Safely on Mars )
Maybe the Mayans were wrong, and 2012 is not the end of the world (only kidding, but check out this link: 2012 End-of-the-World Countdown Based on Mayan Calendar Starts Today - ABC News) .... but a turning point. Curiosity is the boost we need * to get our groove back * and this video below gives a well-deserved victory dance.
What a magnificent tribute to the men and women who pioneered the space program ... especially a tribute to Neil Armstrong, who personifies the spirit of American Ingenuity!
Indiana Jones- perhaps the most famous fictional archaeologist - could have been most interested in this site as his tales included searching for artifacts of Biblical proportions, such the Lost Ark and the Holy Grail. And the papyri in the garbage dump at this site was key to piecing together some of the mysteries of the Bible - its Greek translation, that is. (reference: POxy Oxyrhynchus Online)
Oxyrhynchus papyrus
The New Testament was first written in Greek with a vocabulary of about 5000 words. And much of the criticism was that the Greek used was *not* the high level or classical Greek of scholars, such as found in Plato or Aristotle. But the Greek words used were very common and low level. (reference: Biblica | In what language was the Bible first written?)
Yet, for years, scholars puzzled at some these Greek words - about 500 of them - which were not found in secular Greek. Even German theologian Richard Rothehad concluded that these words, seemingly unique to the New Testament, must be the "language of the Holy Ghost." (reference: Eat This Book by Eugene H. Peterson)
But in the late 19th century, Bernard Grenfell and Arthur Hunt (pictured here) first dug out pieces of paper from the Oxyrhynchus rubbish heap and pieced together life in ancient Alexandria. They accounted for all these unique "Holy Ghost words" in the scraps from letters, accounts, grocery lists, bills - writings in the common language that never got bound and put in libraries.
After 1900 years, the "Holy Ghost language" was finally cracked.
The language of the New Testament was that of everyday people living in humble circumstances.
Tyndale's Gospel of John
William Tyndale had the wish of writing the Bible in the common language of the people in the 16th century. He was one of the first translators of the New Testament into English and the first one to print an English translation of the New Testament(though John Wycliffe produced the first hand-written ones). (reference: William Tyndale)
It has been said that a clergyman once told Tyndale:
"We had better be without God's laws than the Pope's."
It was Tyndale's mission that the humblest of people, like the lad driving the plow, know the Holy Scriptures as spoken in their common language, which could be clearly understood by all.
And as shown in this clip below, Tyndale was martyred for this cause, strangled and burnt at the stake in 1536, for this heresy. His last words:
"Lord, open the king of England's eyes."
This prayer was answered. In 1539, King Henry VIII allowed the publication of the English "Great Bible." And in 1611 was published the most well-known English translation, the King James Bible, of which 75 to 90 percent was incorporated from the work of William Tyndale. And it's still the most widely spread version in the English language 400 years later. (reference: King James Bible still going strong at age 400 | World news | The Guardian)
Meanwhile ...
There has been a spiritual struggle as old as the fall of man to keep the Word of God from the common people. This was especially true during the Dark Ages. And the spiritual darkness of medieval Europe is the setting for the historical fiction trilogy:
The Forbidden Book and the Upside Down Kingdom
The first book of the series:
Anastasis - The Forbidden Book Concealed
This book is divided into four parts. The first part concerns the hero, Lord Adryan Crippen, and is aptly called -
The Rise and Fall of Lord Adryan Crippen
This high and exalted lord, Adryan Crippen, one of the elite Fortunate Five Lords of the Kingdom, has everything in this world within his grasp - wealth, position, power, handsome looks, and the chance to marry the most beautiful and wealthy woman in the region - Queen Anastasia. Then it all evaporates ....
(The Queen's name is derived fromanastasis - the Greek word translated as resurrection in the New Testament.)
The following Bible verse is the theme of the first part:
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth
eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also
that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15 (King James Version) *
Only by losing everything does the hero gain everything. And his help comes from Bishop Sinjin, a type of John Wycliffe and William Tyndale, whose passion is to translate the Word of God into the common tongue of the people, so the humblest in the kingdom can understand it. And there is great opposition to this - which plays out in this book and its sequels.
* (Yes, I know the King James came out in 1611, and the trilogy is set in the 14th century. But the version is readable, has the flavor of antiquity, and most important - it's in the public domain, so there is no issue with copyright or license.)
That was then, what about today?
The King James Version has set a high standard, yet many regard it as sacrosanct. But some very good modern translators have this same passion of translating the Word of God into the language of the everyday people of the times - much like William Tyndale.
Here is a clip of the Gospel presented in hip hop -G.O.S.P.E.L. by rapper Propaganda for the person on the street in the 21st century:
The Lord dwells in the high and holy place, but also in the hearts of those of humble spirit. And the New Testament was written in the language of the street - not for the erudite or the elite.
And Christian rapper Propaganda puts the Gospel in the speech of the street in the 21st century. And I believe William Tyndale would be most pleased with this translation.
called US women into the workforce, doing "men's work" such as munitions and other heavy jobs during World War Two.
And 70 years ago as a nation, we were united in the effort to defeat Hitler, who was bent on world domination and genocide, and Hirohito of Japan - Hitler's ally - who approved the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.
Ramping up to fight - and win - another world war after the decade long malaise of the Great Depression truly was an example of the resiliency of the American spirit and a showcase for American Ingenuity.
After winning that great victory of World War Two, many Americans espoused the sentiment (as we have for years) -
Likewise, we seemed united in the race to the moon.
More than 40 to 50 years ago, the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union was in full swing. And this Space Race was a must win for political reasons as well as advancements in science and technology. Beating the Soviet Union on this front was imperative ... and we did it!
And as we pass another anniversary of that day - July 20, 1969, Americans landing on the moon was a crowning achievement of American Ingenuity in the 20th century.
Looking back, some have called most the 20th century - the American century (reference: THE AMERICAN CENTURY)
But in the 21st century, many pundits see America in decline and conclude ....
America is * no longer * the greatest country in the world.
Below is a clip from the opening scene of the HBO series -The Newsroom. Television anchor, Will McAvoy, played by Jeff Daniels, answers a sorority girl's question - Why is America the greatest country in the world?
His no spin answer - which so many blogs laud him for -
It's not the greatest country in the world ... that's my answer.
(caution - there is some strong language if you play the clip.)
;
About 3 1/2 minutes into this clip, the anchor seems to mourn for what we Americans used to be. And here are a few nibbles -
We stood up for what was right ... we reached for the stars ... acted like men ... we aspired to intelligence ... we didn't scare so easy ...
He ends his rant ...
First step in solving any problem is recognizing there is one. America is not the greatest country in the world anymore. ... Enough?
Ouch! What a downer. But this clip from our pop culture reflects the sentiments of many. Can we reclaim being great, or better yet, being a noble nation, again?
Ironically, a more optimistic view of the American people comes from "the other side of the pond" by two Englishmen.
I love Stephen Fry. He is an British citizen who unapologetically loves America. And he did a mini-series in 2008, based on his book - Stephen Fry in America, in which he talks about in part of the interview.
Sometimes it takes an outsider to see more clearly and objectively what is really going on in this country. And this resident alien expresses his opinion that our national emotion is optimism ... even during these times when so many of us natives are discouraged.
Only in America?
Yes. It's something wonderful.
Stephen Fry's theory is that the source of America's greatness can be found in the gene pool, those who left the Old World (like three of my grandparents) or other oppressive regimes and came to America - by choice. Their driving force?
There can be something better ...
... let's risk it!
... let's try it!
and
We Can Do It!
That entrepreneurial spirit to be unleashed is the stuff that makes ...
American Ingenuity!
And as long as we nurture the indomitable optimistic spirit and a climate of freedom which fosters achievement - other than squashing it - America will continue to be a great country. Otherwise, we will slide down the slippery slope of mediocrity and self-loathing into the dustbin of history as many pundits say we will.
May that never happen ... at least, on my watch.
This is the first part of a new thread - American Ingenuity (AI) - which will highlight the indomitable American spirit ... and may the posts continue as we face trying and challenging times ahead.
These phrases above have become the new buzz words of the day - labels that divide us ... again ... this time by class.
Initially (in my humble opinion), the Occupy movement had expressed some legitimate concerns: the rich and powerful - "the One Percent" - rigging the game to enrich and advance themselves at the expense of "the 99 Percent." Much of human history can testify to this!
But over the following months, the movement had seemed to have been hijacked. Some news have reinforced that conclusion showing images of angry mobs inflicting destruction and chaos instead of offering sensible solutions to right the wrongs the movement was initially protesting. An example of such can be seen in this video clip: Seattle May Day Mayhem!
Throughout history, many revolutions came from "the 99 Percent" rising up against "the One Percent." Some did overthrow their "One Percent" oppressors; some did not, usually with terrible consequences for "the 99 Percent." And those revolutions that had succeeded - at least initially - precipitated unintended consequences whereas the new regime often turned out to be more oppressive than the old regime it had replaced.
Consider the 18th century. That era had its share revolutions. And two revolutions, in particular, were very similar, on the heels of each other, yet contrasted each other in their origin and in their ultimate outcome. Let's look at ...
Before the revolution, the French working class had legitimate and serious grievances against their nobility and religious leaders, which are explained in this article: Causes of the French Revolution. The grievances could - simplistically - be summed up as "the One Percent" oppressing "the 99 Percent."
And this famous quote of Marie Antoinette's alleged response of the shortage of bread to feed the peasants -
"let them eat cake"
- epitomized that the French elite "One Percent" were so out of touch with the sufferings of "the 99 Percent."
(In all fairness, much evidence indicates Marie Antoinette never actual said those words, and the phrase has a different meaning than we think - reference: Who said, "Let them eat cake"? But what the heck ... This seemingly callous quote so handily fit the narrative of the revolution ... and everybody lies ...)
The French Revolution was instigated by "the 99 Percent" - those who had nothing to lose. Their target was "the One Percent" with which the working class had many serious, legitimate grievances to redress. Their noble rallying cry ...
In the end, "the 99 Percent" had toppled the regime of "the One Percent." And by 1793, the revolution had devolved to the Reign of Terror. The new regime lopped off many heads of the old regime (at least those they could get their hands on). The revolutionaries treated the nobility often quiet cruelly, proving they were no better - maybe worse? - than their former oppressors.
Hence, a symbol of the revolution became the guillotine, as shown in the picture above. (reference: French Revolution Timeline)
A Tale of Two Citiestells of this fate of some of these hated "One Percent," or those that were perceived as enemies of the new regime. In the closing scene of the 1935 movieversion (below), Sydney Carton swaps identities with Charles Darnay - who came from a family of French aristocrats, a target of "the 99 Percent."
Sydney Carton gives up his life in place of his friend, who has been sentenced to the guillotine, as these are his last thoughts:
A brilliant military leader, Napoleon Bonaparte had moved quickly up the ranks in the French army. Not long after assuming the position of the first consul in 1799 was he made consul for life in 1802.
No term limits here.
And in 1804, Napoleon became the Emperor of France.
The French Revolution had deposed their absolute monarch,King Louis XVI, and later beheaded him, believing that a better era had begun with Liberty, Equality, Faternity. After a little more than a decade, France found they now had another dictator.
Simply put:
* Before the revolution - King Louis XVI of France
* After the revolution - Napoleon I, Emperor of France
Different titles, different people, both dictators.
As with so many revolutions, the French Revolution only put into power a different "One Percent" - just as bad or even worse as the one it had replaced. Eventually, Napoleon met his Waterloo - literally - in 1815. The British eventually imprisoned him on the island of St. Helena, where he finished his days out of the world's spot light.
But this ill fated French Revolution had been inspired by a recent revolution across an ocean, which had preceded it. And that was ...
* The American Revolution
But this revolution had its genesis in a difference source, and after it was over had far different consequences. It could be said that the American colonists were oppressed by "the One Percent" - King George III of Great Britain and company.
John Trumbull's Declaration of Independece
Volumes have been written as to what had triggered the American Revolution. Here are a few of them:
The colonists had enough and reached a tipping point as written down in The Declaration of Independence, which listed these grievances against King George III of Great Britain.
Here is an excerpt of the specific reasons:
"The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. ..."
At least 27 specific grievances are given against the King. And the colonist reiterated their repeated attempts to redress these grievances - not with protests in the streets ... or riots ... or out of control mobs destroying property ... or inflicting chaos ... but with humility and civility. And they got the following response from the ruling regime:
"In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. ..."
The Declaration ended with this oath of the signers:
"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."
But the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the leaders of the American Revolution would not be considered "the 99 Percent" of American colonists, but the prosperous "One Percent." And Paul Harvey in this broadcast (below) on the Eve of on Fourth of July, eloquently tells of the sacrifice of these "One Percenters":
And these signers had * everything * to lose.
What was so valuable that these One Percenters would give up everything ... their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor? It was valuable gift, a pact made with the living and the dead and the unborn ...
* Liberty *
The next few years after defeating Great Britain, the United States struggled to find her way in governing the new republic. The first constitution, the Articles of Confederation (1777), had its flaws. But this was replaced a decade later by our present Constitution (1787).
And unlike France, whose struggling republic of "the 99 Percent" fell into the hands a dictator, Napoleon Bonaparte, the American Revolution came from "the One Percent" and had a different outcome as our first president under the Constitution (1789 - 1797) was ...
George Washington - the One Percenter
George Washington
This consummate "One Percenter,"George Washington was one of the wealthiest presidents the United States has ever had.
But unlike other conquering military leaders - Napoleon, for example, who made himself emperor of France - this victorious general of the American Revolution did not declare himself king, but instead went back to Mt. Vernon to continue farming
Hearing, quite incredulously, about George Washington's plans after the revolution, King George III commented about his adversary -
But George Washington eventually went back to public service and was elected president of the United States under the Constitution by the electoral college. After two terms - refusing the entreaties for a third term, Washington retired from office, setting a precedent to be followed from then on. This was only broken a 150 years later by FDR. Later in 1951 the 22nd amendment to the Constitution was passed to limit the office of the president to two terms, so he/she wouldn't be a dictator ... like Napoleon?
Simply put:
Before the revolution - King George III of Great Britain
After the revolution - President George Washington of the United States of America
Different titles, different people, but one a monarch, the other a chief executor elected (though indirectly via the electoral college) by the people
Unlike France, our republic, which was born from our revolution, did not last a mere decade, but well over two hundred years and counting. Our republic was a product of the much maligned "One Percent" - but this "One Percent" was of those not only in wealth, but in character - by those who had everything to lose as they put everything on the line ....
* their lives * their fortunes * their sacred honor
And these "One Percenters" - the signers of the Declaration of Independence - are part of America's Story which is to be continued ....
