Today, is the 10th anniversary of our nation's face to face encounter with terrorism. It was a human Tragedy, but it was also an act of War! How do we see it today, and how will it affect our views in the future? These are questions I'm sure many have on their minds and hearts today!
Terror is an act that is taken against another's Sovereignty. Sovereignty has to do with the right to rule. And the right to rule has to do with government. Our nation values self-government as our ideal, as it protects the values of liberty and conscience. This is the reason why we value human rights, as an ideal.
Humans form societies, and our Founding Fathers created our country to be founded on a basic understanding of "self government". The individual was to rule, not be ruled or dominated by another. Our government was the first to undermine the 'Divine Right of Kings", where government's officials were "granted the right" or "annointed" to rule by "God". Our nation was formed by men that used higher education and human reason to form the rules, or laws that were to govern society. These laws protected individual rights. Reason was unique in man and was the foundation of "conscience".
Today, on the 10th anniversary of 9-11, do we see the need for more government, or less, than our Founders understood to be legitimate? How much is too much, when our nation looks toward a future? Is the future to be determined by government officials, or individual citizens? Are we to be "a people", or a government? Civic responsibility is the responsibility of all of us in a free and open society. "The people" should have the right to their own sovereignty, otherwise, governemnt will not seek legitamacy. The consent of the governed is the only way to protect against intrusive and invasive corruptions of power!
Showing posts with label sovereignty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sovereignty. Show all posts
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Saturday, April 4, 2009
It So Bugs Me....
Yesterday I was writing about justice and how justice is equality under law. Of course law is dependent on those who rule, but in the West we have a rational base for discerning what is "right", which our nation protects with our military.
Today while scanning over some of the blogs I usually read, I found one aguing against the Pentagon's spending in reference to how many 'nets" could be bought in Africa for 5 years! This statement alone angers me. While I wholeheartedly agree that government in gerneral overspends in their budget. We will disagree as to how that budget's money should be distributed!
The statement that the Pentagon was unworthy of existing because of the "poor" is just nonsense! This is the devaluation of sovereignty as a nation and a push toward a "peace" that will not happen in this world. So, though some may value their life's calling in serving the needs of the poor, that is not the only value that is of significance and value. I really cannot stand someone, especially someone with power, like the media, brainwashing the "brain dead" with "moral evaluations" that are one-sided opinions or convictions. It just enrages me.
The Pentagon is representative of protecting the values that we hold most dear. We must not devalue their service, nor the service of the military. We cannot maintain a nation, protecting our interests without a miliatary. We are fools if we think that those who devalue and hate our culture will "go away"!
So, ar those who need nets in Africa of value? Yes, but that has nothing to do with our nation's interest and we cannot be just a nation of "humanitarian aid"!
Today while scanning over some of the blogs I usually read, I found one aguing against the Pentagon's spending in reference to how many 'nets" could be bought in Africa for 5 years! This statement alone angers me. While I wholeheartedly agree that government in gerneral overspends in their budget. We will disagree as to how that budget's money should be distributed!
The statement that the Pentagon was unworthy of existing because of the "poor" is just nonsense! This is the devaluation of sovereignty as a nation and a push toward a "peace" that will not happen in this world. So, though some may value their life's calling in serving the needs of the poor, that is not the only value that is of significance and value. I really cannot stand someone, especially someone with power, like the media, brainwashing the "brain dead" with "moral evaluations" that are one-sided opinions or convictions. It just enrages me.
The Pentagon is representative of protecting the values that we hold most dear. We must not devalue their service, nor the service of the military. We cannot maintain a nation, protecting our interests without a miliatary. We are fools if we think that those who devalue and hate our culture will "go away"!
So, ar those who need nets in Africa of value? Yes, but that has nothing to do with our nation's interest and we cannot be just a nation of "humanitarian aid"!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
George Will's Editorial and Legislative Power
This morning's paper had a nice editorial by George Will entitled, "Bail-out Erases Constitutional Boundaries . In it, Mr. Will is calling for Congress to subsist from giving power to the executive branch.
Our Founding Fathers divided power amongst three branches that should not "over-ride" the other. This was what a lot of "hoopla" was about over Bush's abuses at Guatanamo Bay.
The Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) should be considered unconstitutional, as it gives $700 billion to the executive branch to "do as it will", without accountability. This is, in effect legislation, as the executive branch is not dependent on Congress to approve their choices. Congressional leadership is accountable to their constituencies, but the executive branch weilds power for 4 years, without recourse, as long as there is no reason for impeachment.
Americans do not believe in arbitrary power.So, whatever the executive branch determines to do with the $700 billion, they have power of enforcement, and/or sanction, which should be disturbing to the American public. It seems that the Democratically led Congress has given leeway for the executive branch to have this right and power over the people.
The State then has Sovereignty over the sovereignty of the people and the individual American. We have been known as a government that has been "for and by the people". Now, I'm afraid that the government represents their own interests, in the name of the people and for the "people's "good", which limits how the individual can choose their own good.
Our Founding Fathers divided power amongst three branches that should not "over-ride" the other. This was what a lot of "hoopla" was about over Bush's abuses at Guatanamo Bay.
The Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) should be considered unconstitutional, as it gives $700 billion to the executive branch to "do as it will", without accountability. This is, in effect legislation, as the executive branch is not dependent on Congress to approve their choices. Congressional leadership is accountable to their constituencies, but the executive branch weilds power for 4 years, without recourse, as long as there is no reason for impeachment.
Americans do not believe in arbitrary power.So, whatever the executive branch determines to do with the $700 billion, they have power of enforcement, and/or sanction, which should be disturbing to the American public. It seems that the Democratically led Congress has given leeway for the executive branch to have this right and power over the people.
The State then has Sovereignty over the sovereignty of the people and the individual American. We have been known as a government that has been "for and by the people". Now, I'm afraid that the government represents their own interests, in the name of the people and for the "people's "good", which limits how the individual can choose their own good.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
All Want Respect and Sovereign Rights
This morning I was listening to a news broadcast about Iran's desire to be respected and have sovereignty over their national interests. All people and nations want this respect, at least, if they have had the opportunity to experience it.
I find it hard to resolve the problems of diversity, when globalization calls so loudly for unity. How do we resolve the differences across cultural values, differences, convictions, and commitments? One thing for sure any ideological commitment that is exclusivist in its claims is a dangerous mix in the global climate.
But, how do we protect national interests and security? These issues cannot be ignored when terrorists undermine our sense of security and peace. Security is secured by the "rule of law" and an understanding and respect for another's right to exist. But, countries that support or encourage terrorists activity, either by commission or omission, cannot be ignored either. I don't know the answer. But, I am concerned about my own country's security and peace. The values that our country upholds are ones that many have lived and died for. I, for one, am committed to see that it succeeds in its endeavors to remain at peace and promote democracy abroad.
I find it hard to resolve the problems of diversity, when globalization calls so loudly for unity. How do we resolve the differences across cultural values, differences, convictions, and commitments? One thing for sure any ideological commitment that is exclusivist in its claims is a dangerous mix in the global climate.
But, how do we protect national interests and security? These issues cannot be ignored when terrorists undermine our sense of security and peace. Security is secured by the "rule of law" and an understanding and respect for another's right to exist. But, countries that support or encourage terrorists activity, either by commission or omission, cannot be ignored either. I don't know the answer. But, I am concerned about my own country's security and peace. The values that our country upholds are ones that many have lived and died for. I, for one, am committed to see that it succeeds in its endeavors to remain at peace and promote democracy abroad.
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