Sep 11, 2010

He Speaks

He can be forgiven the pompous tone. Today's commemoration justifies  a measure of formality. But words represent ideas, and ideas have consequences. 


 "If there is a lesson to be drawn on this anniversary, it is this: We are one nation — one people — bound not only by grief, but by a set of common ideals," the president said Saturday ....

...eine volk,  eine reich,  eine fuhrer, Mr. President?*


"One nation" is all right, but, Sir,  we are not "one people."  We never intended ourselves to be a  blob of metabolizing protein. 


The United States  is the  idea of 320 million discrete, individual  human beings, united by the beauty and the logic  of  personal sovereignty and voluntary  cooperation.  The result of that interaction among free men and women  is the nationhood you speak of.


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*Objections to premature Godwinisms duly noted.





1 comment:

Hilary said...

Oh please. Even when I disagree with you, I enjoy reading what you write, but here I have to draw the line.
"...eine volk, eine reich, eine fuhrer, Mr. President?*"
Even in my rather broad mind is there any way I can extend that quote from Obama's speech to a Hitler ideal.
I am afraid I am going to have to take this one up with you over a cup of coffee and a cigar, my friend.