Enigma Earth

A Fourth of July Note:

Dear Readers,

I was not going to write anything in this venue on the Fourth of July. However, I just finished watching the film, “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” for the millionth time. There are a few films, I never get tired of watching. “Mr. Smith,” is one of them.

I also watched the Space Shuttle Discovery launch today. Which if you know me, is a very special event. I worked in the space program for ten years.

Both these, are like vitamin B-12 is to the body, a boost to the system. The country is faced with a myriad of problems, and there are not a lot of answers. I do despair at times for the American nation. However, I get a boost to my American spirit at watching “Mr. Smith,” or a Shuttle launch. I am reminded what it means to be an American. I am reminded what Americans can do together towards a common purpose and not divided by the poisons of our present era.

Here are just some of the many great words by Frank Capra’s, Jefferson Smith as played by Jimmy Stewart:

"Just get up off the ground, that's all I ask. Get up there with that lady that's up on top of this Capitol dome, that lady that stands for liberty. Take a look at this country through her eyes if you really want to see something. And you won't just see scenery; you'll see the whole parade of what Man's carved out for himself, after centuries of fighting. Fighting for something better than just jungle law, fighting so's he can stand on his own two feet, free and decent, like he was created, no matter what his race, color, or creed. That's what you'd see. There's no place out there for graft, or greed, or lies, or compromise with human liberties. And, uh, if that's what the grownups have done with this world that was given to them, then we'd better get those boys' camps started fast and see what the kids can do. And it's not too late, because this country is bigger than the Taylors, or you, or me, or anything else. Great principles don't get lost once they come to light. They're right here; you just have to see them again!”

Jeff Smith had it right! One last thing… One of the greatest things about the film is Jean Arthur as Saunders. Saunders is the epitome of the cliche that behind every great man is a great woman. Every man should have a Saunders as a partner in life. And Jean Arthur was one underrated actress.

T.D.

A Reflection for Flag Day 2006

The following is an excerpt of a speech given by me to the Bloomington Central Lions Club on June 13, 2006:

Thank you to our club for allowing me to again speak to you. Before our meeting this evening, we carried on our tradition of reciting the pledge of allegiance, to the flag of our country. Now, there has been some discussion about this in our club. It has been asked if it is a political statement to say it? And if so, would that be bad for attaining a potential new member who found the pledge some how a negative idea. Indeed our society has debated the merits of reciting the pledge. What should the exact wording be? It’s original wording in 1892 was, “I pledge allegiance to my Flag,_and (to*) the Republic for which it stands:_one Nation indivisible,_With Liberty and Justice for all.” We know that the addition of “under God,” in 1954 has been controversial. Personally, I am just glad that the pledge still exists at all. I am also glad that there are people outside of school kids reciting it. let me ask this: Why does a cloth or nylon, or plastic material, with some stars and stripes engender such controversy? Because it’s a flag and most importantly, our flag…

…I am not personally for an amendment to the constitution to prevent burning of the flag. We all know the controversy involving this. There are those who think the burning of the flag is an act of free speech. I do not think so. I am constantly annoyed by those who think that “acts,” are the equivalent of what comes out of one’s mouth and there by “speech.” I can only say that if you have a right to burn the symbol of our nation, I should have the right to stop you! I think that if you burn the flag, you are burning the consititution and every value we hold dear. Listen to the pledge, “…and to the Republic for which it stands…”

Well, these views will get me in trouble with both the left and the right which is fine by me as both political parties would throw me out. I am a proud independent and dare I say a maverick one at times.

…So tomorrow is Flag Day. What will Flag Day mean to you? What does our flag mean to you? In a country so divided by poisonous politics and social strife, and economic in-balance, it is the flag that is the one symbol that unites us all. I am reminded of the 2004 presidential race. There was a lot of political rancor over whether the Republicans claimed the flag as their own or not. Some seemed to imply that only a Republican or a conservative could claim the flag, thereby implying being a true patriot and a loyal American.

And while not a Democrat, during the primaries, I supported former General Wesley Clark for president. Last year General Clark made a Flag Day address in New Hampshire and as often the case, Wes got right to the point. He said, “Now right here is the American Flag. That's our symbol of unity in America. It's the symbol for our values and our ideals. It's the symbol for our liberties. It's the symbol for our military and economic might. It's the story of…it's in our national anthem. It's that powerful. And we're probably the only nation in the world that sings about our flag in our national anthem. And for many of use who served in uniform and fought for our freedoms, it's the symbol that represented all that we believed in. It's the first thing we saw every morning. We were taught to salute it. And I remember the first time I saluted it in uniform and a shiver ran up and down…through my spine because I realized what it meant to stand and salute that flag as it was raised. It's an object of respect and even reverence. It flies above our capitols. It flies above our sporting events. And it graces the coffins of our veterans. And I have to tell you tonight that there are those in the other party who would seek to take that flag and use it for partisan advantage. They'd seek to portray our party as somehow less worthy, less patriotic, less committed. And I'm here to tell you they couldn't be more wrong. Our party is filled with people who revere that flag, who served it in uniform, who pledged allegiance to it their whole lives and who are standing for office, or working in politics or in business or in government or in uniform because they believe in that flag and the ideals it represents. And that flag belongs to us. It belongs to all Americans and no one is going to take that flag away from us! That's ours! You know it.”

Well, I can only reiterate this sentiment, in my own words, “Either that flag is for everyone, or it is for no one. Either it stands for all of us, or for none of us.” And that is why I pledge allegiance to it. I now conclude by saying, “Happy Flag Day,” and asking that one more time, we all rise and recite the pledge of allegiance. Thank you.