Two Speeches

“Now let me suggest…that if we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional.  Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation, and this means we must develop a world perspective.  No individual can live alone; no nation can live alone, and as long as we try, the more we are going to have war in this world.  Now the judgment of God is upon us and we must learn to live together as brothers or we are all going to perish together as fools.”

         Martin Luther King, "Christmas Sermon on Peace", December 24, 1967

“[we must] use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together…I believe that we can be better. Those who died here, those who saved life here—they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us.”

                   President Barack Obama, Tucson Memorial Service, January 13, 2011

Weapons of Mass Destruction

A 22-year-old mixes with a crowd at a public gathering with the local congressional representative.  The true picture of democracy:  an elected official asks her constituents for opinions and conversation.  The young man pulls out a 9-millimeter pistol with a 30-bullet clip, capable of firing multiple bullets in seconds.  In less time than it takes to pull a pin from a hand grenade, six people are dead, 14 injured.

And the discourse over the past two days is about the 'atmosphere of vitriol'.

We should be asking why anyone should legally carry a weapon that can kill six people in a few seconds.  Clearly, rational people would not argue that a hand grenade is a reasonable weapon to carry in public.  Why should an automatic weapon be an exception to that rule?

The first State of the State

From George Washington's first speech to Congress, January 8, 1790:

"The welfare of our country is the great object to which our cares and efforts ought to be directed, and I shall derive great satisfaction from a cooperation with you in the pleasing though arduous task of insuring to our fellow citizens the blessings which they have a right to expect from a free, efficient, and equal government.”

Young country with no defined self-image of unity quite yet.  But the new (old) leader already knows that unity in vision from elected officials is the best way to succeed.


The old days, and the old ways, were not purer in cooperation, nor more efficient in governance, than today.  Those Congressmen and Senators were still preoccupied with self-interest, and prochial (sic, and i don't feel like looking it up!) interests of their own states.  They were still hesitant to assume large-scale powers that would override states' rights.  The House is having the same argument this month as they attempt to alter 2010's health care act.

George did say that their task was to insure 'to our fellow citizens.'  Was he including women in that statement, even while speaking to a roomful of men?

He probably opened with a prayer.  He should have opened with poetry.