Tuesday, July 03, 2007

another nail in the coffin of our democratic republic


















yeah. well. i had it in my mind what i was going to say. and now, it seems pointless. if there are any people still asleep in america, they will be forever asleep. july 4, 2007 is a day that was supposed to be about celebrating american independence from tyranny and oppression. a day that was supposed to be about solidarity as americans with a blogswarm against theocracy and a blogswarm for peace. instead, the bells sounding the death knells of our constitution are pealing loudly for everyone now to hear. no more is this the time for secrecy- no, bushco is blatent about shredding the american constitution. from supreme court justices to the fourth branch of government (not to be confused with the corporate media), decisions have been made in our name without our consent.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

two men took oaths of office in january, 2001.

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter."

those oaths were broken that same day. many other folks took oaths of office-

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent on me, according to the best of my abilities and understanding, agreeably to the Constitution, and laws of the United States. So help me God."

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter."

those folks have not lived up to their oaths either. we, the people, have not played our role in democracy- because, you see, all of these folks who haven't kept their word and fulfilled their oaths- are americans. these people who support the folks who haven't kept their word and fulfilled their oaths- are also americans. the folks who don't vote and participate in democracy- are also americans. the corporations we blame for almost everything- are staffed by americans. the doctors and lawyers and lobbyists- americans. we have no one to blame but ourselves. it isn't republicans or democrats that has brought this on- it's regressive thinking on both sides. it isn't al quaida bringing america to her knees- it's fellow americans.

we have weathered all sorts of storms and catastrophes- hung together for over 230 years- and it takes fellow americans to destroy our country. i won't talk about the rest of the world in this post. so, here is my elegy to america. may she rest in peace- and may we all remember what we threw away.

crossposted at the sirens chronicles

9 comments:

Daniel said...

Hey, Betmo, how come you're so surprised! The next thing I expect is that God Himself will be tipped on the shoulder and George will appoint him as a Envoy to some Middle Eastern country!

Keep smiling.

The Future Was Yesterday said...

we have weathered all sorts of storms and catastrophes- hung together for over 230 years- and it takes fellow americans to destroy our country. i won't talk about the rest of the world in this post. so, here is my elegy to america. may she rest in peace- and may we all remember what we threw away.
As you know better than most, I'm in agreement on most days. But if Americans can kill America, then they can damn well bring her out of the grave, too!

Not until the last small flicker of hope dies, leaving total darkness....

Ingrid said...

It's become "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good!"
Ingrid

Unknown said...

Don't be so quick to give up on America. I have seen this country bounce back from similar bad situations, and a similar bad, lying leader (Nixon).

This country will not fall because of a bad leader, or a group of bad leaders. It will fall if the people as a whole, don't care enough to fight for their country.

Only the people can correct this situation, which is why I constantly write about the people neglecting their civic responsibility.

Impeachment could have stopped a lot of this, and I've been calling for impeachment since late 2003. To bad the people weren't willing.

We can't erase what has happened, but new leadership will change things, just hang in there.

Even the do nothing Congressional Democrats will do something, if the people's voice gets louder.

I'm sure America will wake up soon, people can only sleep so long.

DivaJood said...

Time, when Nixon was committing high crimes and misdemeanors, there was a much more vocal Congress, and citizenry. People were in the streets.

Today, Congress is weak, and people are more concerned about Paula Abdul or Paris Hilton.

landsker said...

In the bigger picture, 50, even 500 years from now, the whole world will still be listening to Elvis.
He will never be anything other than great.

billie said...

landsker- it's funny you mention elvis- i intend to post about him too :)

i chose this song by him for a variety of reasons- the biggest- it evokes emotions in me similar to the ones i posted about. but i look at him and he mirrors america. small town poor kid from the sticks makes good on raw talent. lives the american dream and comes to embody all that is commercial and gaudy about it- and it consumes him. i am all about imagery. :)

Anonymous said...

Black women singing about fields of cotton and good times in Dixie....I've seen everything!

Unknown said...
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