Divided States of America

From the human rights disaster at our southern border to Trump’s paddy cake playtime with foreign dictators, the idea of celebrating American “independence” today feels like a political farce.

Amidst the various political crisis–both domestic and foreign–which the USA finds itself embroiled in, anyone with a semblance of a political conscience could be excused for failing to see where the values of “freedom and justice for all” still shape the political priorities of our nation. We are certainly not upholding the values of freedom when we rip families apart, place children in cages, and tell refugees they can drink water from the toilet if they are thirsty.

Those are the actions of cowards and bullies, not patriots and heroes.

We are not upholding the ideal of justice when we charge a woman for murder after she is shot and loses her baby, or when we tell transgender service members their service is not welcome.

Those are the actions of misogynists and homophobes, not patriots and heroes.

We are not upholding the ideals of freedom and justice when law enforcement officials harass, arrest, dehumanize, and murder people of color simply because they feel entitled to.

Those are the actions of racists and bigots, not patriots and heroes.

I had the unfortunate luck to hear part of Trump’s mouth-breathing this evening, and, unsurprisingly, it was a celebration of people and ideas that his administration has made a policy of undermining, disregarding, rolling back or just plain shitting on: Civil rights. Women’s rights. The environment. Robust scientific research and exploration. Defense of freedom against fascism and Nazism.

“Frederick Douglas…that great, great Fredrick Douglas.”

I mean, really? Who does he think he is kidding. We all know Trump has no idea who Douglas was or what he stood for. 

And the whales trapped in ice that were rescued by the Coast Guard story…precious. Except if Trump had been president, he would have sent the Coast Guard to personally shoot those whales.

And the attempt at a military show of force? Here’s 2 planes from this branch, and here’s 2 more from that other branch (which is really the Navy, but they won’t let me sail a destroyed up the Potomac, so I guess a plane is okay).

I’ve seen a more impressive display of firepower at a county swap meet, and I can guarantee it cost a whole hell of a lot less to put that together.

I’m pretty sure if George Washington were still alive and was able to see the abomination that is sitting in the White House, he would be the first to quote Thomas Jefferson to such effect.

The people cannot be all, & always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. We have had 13. states independent 11. years. There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century & a half for each state. What country before ever existed a century & half without a rebellion? & what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon & pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. It is it’s natural manure.

If things continue along the path we are currently treading, I find it entirely plausible that the tree of liberty will once more need to be watered with the blood of tyrants. 

While we may not relish the thought, at least that would be something worthy of true patriots and heroes.

I may not be a nationalist, but I have no love for tyrants.

As American patriot Patrick Henry is rumored to have said, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”

How long until we have need for another American Revolution?