We have a dream
On the eve of Barack Obama’s inauguration, I write this post with the contradictory feelings of hope and cynicism.
These are unprecedented and extraordinary times as The World seems to have collapsed economically & socially and we also have lost our moral compass.
I stand here today as hopeful as ever that the United States of America will endure,”
“What gives me that hope is what I see when I look out across this mall.”
NYT Pix
Excerpt from The People By Carl Sandburg
The people learn, unlearn, learn,
a builder, a wrecker, a builder again,
a juggler of shifting puppets.
In so few eyeblinks
In transition lightning streaks,
the people project midgets into giants,
the people shrink titans into dwarfs
Faiths blow on the winds
and become shibboleths
and deep growths with men ready to die
for a living word on the tongue,
for a light alive in the bones,
for dreams fluttering in the wrists . . .
NYT - Pix
On this occasion it is relevant to remember George Washington’s words of immense wisdom and foresight.
Excerpt from George Washington’s Farewell Address- Sept 1796.
Preserve the system of checks and balances.
“The necessity of reciprocal checks in the exercise of political power, by dividing and distributing it into different depositaries, and constituting each the guardian of the public weal against invasions by the others, has been evinced by experiments ancient and modern; some of them in our country and under our own eyes. To preserve them must be as necessary as to institute them. If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates.
But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed. The precedent must always greatly overbalance in permanent evil any partial or transient benefit, which the use can at any time yield..”
Never mistake a clear view for a short distance. ~ Paul Saffo
on 20 Jan 2009 at 11:51 am 1.Sonya Rose said …
We can send man to the moon but, we have no real cure for cancer.
There’s no way to stop this fire. It’s always burning. It’s got a mind of its own. We have to learn to battle it as it comes but, it’s getting worse…It’s wild.
All we can hope from the new President Barack Obama is that he is true to his heart and he will devote himself to the people’s interests.
A strong nation is a healthy nation. I see people becoming sicker by the day, mentally and physically. And, my folks nearest hospital just went bankrupt; shut down before the holidays.
People are becoming more mad and angrier, losing patience. I notice it more and more…
I’m not bouncing around in the streets here. I’m scared…of tomorrow. Change sometimes comes in a strange form. One that’s not easily to accept.
~Sonya Rose
on 20 Jan 2009 at 2:07 pm 2.joywax said …
The next iteration of life is for the vibrantly alive to decide. Together, let’s choose wisely, supported by the learning of the ages and the love in our hearts. Let us learn to serve each other into peace and freedom.
on 20 Jan 2009 at 3:05 pm 3.fleur said …
may the wind of wisdom be always with him.
I’m not religious at all, but I pray for President Obama
deeply with my heart and soul.
As president Kennedy said : don’t ask what the country can
do for you, just ask yourself what you can do for your country”
and anyone should reply, “yes we can do our best, and yes we will”.
From my country I will listen today to his words pronounced
with his hand on the Bible.
on 22 Jan 2009 at 3:50 am 4.martin said …
Hi! its a nice site!
on 22 Jan 2009 at 11:32 am 5.Sonya Rose said …
Btw, the hospital that I mentioned earlier in the 1st response–(which just went bankrupt) is named after Queen Aliquippa (also the name of my hometown). Queen Aliquippa was an influential leader of the Seneca Nation. There are many legends of her.
The reason why I mentioning this … is that I noticed—you quoted a very good part of Pres. George Washington’s Farewell Address. Well, in January of 1754, when George was just a general and around 20 years old, he paid Queen Aliquippa a visit one year before she died. He wrote in his journal, “I made her a Present of a Match Coat; and a Bottle of rum, which was thought much the better present of the two.”
She lived to be over 80 years old. Rare at that time when 50 was considered an age where most people had already died. She already knew the key to an abundant life.
I came from an area named after many Native American leaders, and my hometown is now an abandoned old steeltown. I know what struggle and change is all about and how many people lose jobs over it.
I will remain positive about Pres. Obama agenda but, I do worry for good reasons since I am on the side of the Constitutionalists.
I sure don’t like the name of his vehicle, “The Beast” already! :)
And, I may have been upset in my earlier response and I apologize for that or how I began. Who would have thought after reading “The Last Lecture” that I would have someone close in my family circle is diagnosed now, too, with that same fatal disease, pancreatic cancer. He was born on the day that man first took steps on the moon. So much is spent on space programs, war/military, gold, oil, the drug trade, etc, over the years, and not other good programs which do not enslave us… All of us should be able to eat natural/organic foods and have good medical coverage. Lose your job over a disease=lose your health insurance … and picking up one independently is tough w/pre-existing conditions.
Anyways, I am leaving in Spring for a special trip to Arizona, joining in a circle of Native American Indians … prophets and visionaries. I hope to gain more wisdom and knowledge…and make sense of my dreams, see clearly “The Long View”… not the short one.
Thank you. And, btw, not only Pres. Lincoln had a special gift but, also Pres. Washington. He foresaw many wars. Even one more critical one to come … and one can take the light side as easily as the dark side.
Have a peaceful week,
Sonya Rose