Just as Great a Generation

For any one of a number of reasons I have not been watching the Ken Burns/PBS series on Vietnam. I may very well catch it later in bits and pieces, but its very presence on TV has got me to thinking (again!) about that divisive and nation-changing time. So much of what appears to divide us today has its roots in that era.

I am not a veteran of that, or any, war. I did not serve in the Armed Forces. I was a conscientious objector and did my alternative service from 1970 1972. I was, and still am, a pacifist. I am the son of a WW II veteran who served as a non-combatant- medic- with the 10th Armored Division at, among other battles, the Battle of the Bulge. I still get chills when I play- or hear- the Star Spangled Banner. I remove my hat when the flag passes. I am patriotic and proud to be an American.

And, no, this is NOT another post about the NFL and such protests. This is about Vietnam and Vietnam-era vets who have never received the care and support they deserve for what they did. They didn't get it in Vietnam from the "powers-that-be", from any of the Presidents they served for, and many have consistently mis-understood them and the war they fought in.

A number of years ago Tom Brokaw gave the World War 2 military members the title of "The Greatest Generation." They were remarkable in what they did. I have done considerable study on my Dad's service and see what  those incredible men and women did in, I believe, literally saving western civilization, democracy, and life as we know it.

But it is time to see that the Vietnam Era Veterans are just as great a generation.

The ones I knew then and have come to know since were caught in the middle of some of the greatest difficulties an armed forces can endure- split leadership, poor leadership, poor assumptions, poor political understanding, corrupt governments they were sent to give support to, then undermined, again, by their own military and political leaders lack of willingness to admit an error. Robert McNamara finally admitted in the documentary Fog of War in 2003 that the war was an error. Sorry, sir, that was 40 years too late for the men and women whose names are on that wall in Washington, D.C.

Many of them knew it at that time. They were the ones on the ground seeing the insanity and facing an enemy that was often invisible and had far greater numbers than the Pentagon was willing to accept as reality. Too many leaders were still living in the warm glow of World War 2 while ignoring important lessons from the Korean War. We destroyed North Korea at that time, what some wanted us to do with North Vietnam, and still were unable to bring the war to a peaceful conclusion. We never saw it coming in Vietnam.

But, again, the troops on the ground knew it. They fought, and fought hard, even with that knowledge. Many knew it to be a losing battle with atrocities and the "fog of war" keeping things even worse than we saw on TV. They fought as hard as the World War 2 vets in a completely different type of war. They were brave and scared to death at the same time. As any soldier in any war would be. Many came home wounded in soul and took many years to heal. Some never have.

I hope they are being recognized today. They never received the "Welcome home!" they deserved. We should have embraced them and listened to their stories without judging or calling them names. Many of them joined the protests against the war; many did not. All were heroes.

Maybe the current Ken Burns series will cast some new light on that war and those who served. Maybe we can set aside our preconceptions and leftover animosities to come together and say "Thank you!" to them for what they did. Maybe we can have a dialogue about service and patriotism and leadership that we have long ignored having.

Maybe we can turn a corner in the political divisiveness and insanity that we have been experiencing and finally move on before the Vietnam-era generation is gone, and with them lessons we have yet to learn.

Sadness, Concern, Dread - and Patriotism

I have always loved the Fourth of July. Like many of my childhood friends, and my  generation, I am the son of a World War II veteran. We were raised with a deep, almost genetically-based patriotism. It was not a political statement at that time, or at least I didn't see it that way. It was an awareness of how lucky we were to be born in this nation "conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men were created equal." Patriotism meant loving our country for what it has given us- and more importantly- what we could do for our country.

That was a long time ago now. Half a century and more. But the Fourth of July- Independence Day- has never lost it's shine and excitement for me. Even in the midst of the Vietnam-era divisions, many of us remained deeply committed to the patriotic ways, although it soon became a political statement and not a healthy way of life. It became a point of contention as if to seek for greater exercise of freedom- the very fundamental of our country- was unpatriotic. But the flag leading the parade, a Sousa march, Fourth of July fireworks continued to make me feel a sense of hope.

Over the last several years I have had the added joy of being able to play in our local Fourth of July concert. To stand with the trumpets and play the closing section of "Stars and Stripes Forever" is a musical moment of patriotic joy; to play the Army field march takes me back to learning if from my Dad and I think of his service and sacrifice; the noise of firecrackers and the crowd having fun is what it is all about.

Last year, however, I had a moment in the middle of the concert that caught my attention. It was, of course, in the midst of the presidential election campaign. Donald Trump was ready to be nominated. I had the thought, "What if he wins? Is this our last truly free celebration of our independence?" I pushed it away, not out of denial, but of the hope and trust in our American way to do the right thing.

Trump did win. So far we have not lost our American way. I think we are still free. But the signs are not as hopeful as they were a year ago.

• We know that the Russians in some way or another have worked at hacking our election- the very foundation of our democratic process. (I still do not believe there was actual, active collusion between the Russians and Trump. I am not so sure of some of his campaign staff, however.)
• Fake news through social media and perhaps even the Russians has brought a division and an ongoing and escalating attack on the integrity of our freedom of the press- another basic foundation. 
• The President himself continues to take strange and seemingly irrational actions against anyone who may disagree with him. 
• Last week a commission has requested all voter data from all 50 states, including information that may not be public, potentially threatening the rights of privacy of our electoral process.

As a result of all this ongoing chaos in our national politics I almost started crying in the midst of the "Armed Forces Salute" the other night at a concert rehearsal. That's where we start with the Caissons Song. As I was thinking of Dad, sadness and even dread started to well up. What I am seeing in the things going on appears to be as great a threat to who we are as a nation than anything since the Civil War. Some of the very basic elements of American freedom and democracy are being challenged in the name of security. The advances in science we have enjoyed are being called questioned. Care for the poor and the elderly are being attacked.

Underneath those is the even deeper question that got Trump elected in the first place- the increasing losses of a healthy middle class. Instead of working on these together and developing new and creative plans for making a difference, we are expanding and exploiting the differences in the name of political gain. Add to that the just as deep issue of racism and the rise of white supremacy taking advantage of the divisions- and we have a difficult time to be living in.

This is not the country I grew up in. These are not the ways of greatness. They leave me with a sense of dread that I have written about here before. The courts have shown some ability to slow down some of the more troubling aspects. People have taken to the streets in mostly peaceful protests, interrupted only by, as usual, a small handful of those who are there only to make trouble.

There is not much I can do about any of this in action. I can write these words; I can talk to friends who may not agree with me and make sure I listen to them as much as I hope they will listen to me. I can, in my actions on a daily basis show that I am one who wants things to be different.

In the end I have to maintain my personal hope in the institutions and history that have allowed us to get to this 241st anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The great American Experiment of freedom is still a work in progress. I pray that it continues to be alive and filled with hope. I cannot- and must not give up on that hope.

THAT is what patriotism is all about.

Flag Day Salute

I am well aware that in some ways we Americans turn our flag into an object of worship in ways many nations do not. But we have developed a love for the metaphor it has become. It is a metaphor for us- all of us. It is a metaphor for our history in the 13 stripes; it is a metaphor for our extent and diversity (!) with its 50 stars. I am offended when conservatives take the flag and wrap themselves in it as if they own it.

They don't.

It is the flag of my ancestors:

• German, Jewish, Scottish, and who knows what else.
• It is the flag my Great-uncle Jacob died carrying in the Civil War.
• It is the flag under which my Dad treated wounded or dying comrades in the Battle of the Bulge.
• It is the flag of the country and we liberals are just as strong about it as conservatives claim to be.

Here is the video I put together last year for Flag Day. In celebration of who we are, I present it to you again. Enjoy.

About That Flag Thing...

I am a Northerner. I was born and raised in the North. I have only "lived" in the South on vacations. I am a Yankee through and through. As far as the Civil War is concerned:

• The Battle of Gettysburg saved the United States. 
• The Gettysburg Address was brilliant. 
• My great, great uncle was killed at The Wilderness while being the flag bearer for the US army.
• The death of Abraham Lincoln was a tragedy for the south as much as the north, perhaps even more so. 
• Jefferson Davis was a traitor to the United States.
• It was not a war of northern aggression
• It was always about slavery- state's rights meant the right to own slaves.

And, because of all the above, I have always been offended by the flying of the Confederate battle flag. It has always been a symbol of at least a bunch of good ol' boys wanting to whoop it up and at worst- racism.

As such it does not belong hanging on the same flag pole or near the flag that all these conservative pundits claim they want to honor and wear on their lapels- the American Flag- the official flag of the United States. If you want to be patriotic, it is not for the so-called heritage of the south. It is for the USA. My father did not go to war to save the confederate flag. He fought under the Stars and Stripes.

Let's get over it and be Americans- citizens of the UNITED States, not the confederate states.

[Does this mean it should be illegal to own or sell the confederate flag. No, I don't think so, any more than it is illegal to own or sell a Nazi flag or Soviet flag, two other defeated nations. It may be in bad taste and offensive at times to display it, but it's not illegal.]

Your Patriotism? Mine? How About Ours!

When I look across many posts on Facebook, especially around national holidays like Memorial Day, it would be easy to get the idea that only those on the right-wing are patriotic, only Republicans truly care for the country, and only those who served in the military are the truest patriots. On top of that, "liberals" are out to undermine the country, tear it apart, make it into a third-class nation. They don't care about veterans or the future of the "average American."

So I looked up the definition of patriotism:

love for or devotion to one's country.

Pretty basic. It says nothing about being in 100% agreement on issues. It says nothing about being liberal or conservative. It says nothing about serving in the military. It says nothing except that a patriot has love for one's country.

Now I realize that calling an opponents patriotism into question is an age-old political tactic. It has been used shamelessly for  centuries. It has been used to undermine, libel, persecute (and at times kill) those who have differing opinions.

It has been, at many times, disgraceful, mean, and unpatriotic. Yes, I said that. If my patriotism is dependent on putting your understanding down, then my patriotism does not support the democratic ideals and values that built this nation. In that case, I am not very patriotic! Yet we see that all the time. We attack, we point fingers, we put others into a place of "them" which means we don't have to listen to them. We don't have to dialogue with them if they are obviously unpatriotic and therefore not worth much.

How sad.

Liberals get moved by seeing the flag or singing (or playing) the Star Spangled Banner.

Liberals eyes tear up while standing on the hill at Arlington Cemetery at the thought of the veterans who served and died.

Liberals are just as much real Americans as anyone else.


Let's just stop this insanity. If anything is tearing this country apart it is our intense actions that divide us! It will not be ISIS or Al-Qaeda that cause us the most problem. In our day-in and day-out relations with each other it will be how we treat each other- and especially those who disagree with us. It will be in our using our "party lines" as human barriers to working together.

Sorry- that will not cut it in this world we live in. Never did, but it's more dangerous now.

Can I Start a Trend?

I posted this from another Facebook user this morning.



My explanation that went with it was:

OK- I'm hoping to start a trend among Liberals like myself. It is time to reclaim patriotism from a one-sided view of the USA! I'm very proud to be an American, the son of a WW II Vet.

Just because my politics isn't right-wing does not mean I don't like this country!!

Just because my theology isn't based on fundamentalism doesn't mean I'm not a true American.

Just because I don't agree with Ayn Rand does not make me a socialist.

So I do share this post, proudly, as a Liberal!

So let me go further since this is my blog and I have the space.

Just because I call for the outcast and the poor to be taken care of by a just society, does not mean I am not patriotic.

Just because I continue to be afraid of an endemic racism in our greater society, does not mean I think we have failed as a nation.

Just because I do not blindly follow whatever leader is in power AND which you or others agree with does not make me a traitor.

Just because I believe that a two party system calls for differences- patriotic differences- does not make me any less proud to be an American.

I could rant on this one for a long time. I am offended by those who question my patriotism because I do not agree with right-wing politics, right-wing greed, or right-wing religion. As a citizen who has voted in every national election since I was of legal age, I still believe our nation is doing the best we can at any given moment to live up to our national ideals.

Yet we must remain steadfast in those ideals and not let them be co-opted by the wealthy who are now buying our elections or the voices of paranoia crying in their own wilderness or the politicians of either/both side who are simply looking to further ideology as opposed to American ideals.

Sure we have our faults. The United States is made of human beings- and none is perfect.

My goal, then, by posting the above picture is to hopefully start a small trend. May those of us who are liberal be proud in our citizenship. Let's take the flag pins and flag pictures back from the right-wing. Let's be willing to admit that the National Anthem still stirs us (and I wish the fans could sing it at sporting events, not celebrities!)

Let's find all these right-wing co-opted symbols and bring them back to stand for ALL Americans!

Rant - far from over.

Yes, This Can Be Persecution

We hear it regularly on the conservative news and religious shows. Christians in the US are being persecuted. Things like the War on Christmas prove it. I have often said that we are cheapening the real suffering of Christians who are being persecuted around the world when we liken what is often called persecution here with what they are going through. Freedom of religion is not persecution, it is allowing each religion to stand on its own.

Well, I came across an article the other day that puts it from the liberal Christian perspective, arguing that the persecution is really against the liberal or progressive Christian viewpoint. (Link.) Here is what I call the "money quote" explaining the situation.

there are two different types of Christianity. One is a movement of people who want to live and be like Jesus. The other (and far more common, far more powerful) is a civil and political religion that is simply named Christianity.
--link

I don't know whether persecution is the word for what he is describing, but it sure is a reflection on reality. The idea of a "civil religion" is not new. Theologian and historian Martin Marty has been describing this for years. Dietrich Bonhoeffer called at least part of it "cheap grace" during World War II.We might call it the "marriage of church and state" or "Imperial Christianity."

Whatever it is, it boils down to the reduction of Christian discipleship to being a "Good and Patriotic Citizen." It happens when we equate any human nation with God's Kingdom. (Even Israel! Don't forget that the prophets could be as critical of their nation as anyone!) Civil religion is not comfortable with dissent although democracy allows for it. Civil religion often demonizes the opposition since only demonic forces would dare to dissent from God's way, (i.e. "my" way!)

I believe as firmly today as I did 40 years ago (probably more so) that the People of God will never be comfortable to any human state. We will often if not always challenge the nation to be more faithful knowing that the nation-state is not God. We will always be calling ourselves, our fellow Christians, our country and all people to be followers of the Prince of Peace.

What an Incredible Experience

Lincoln (5 !s are not enough. This movie stands alone.)
(Tomatometer: 91%)

How can I put the experience of this movie into words? There are few that can do it justice. Steven Spielberg and crew have produced one of the masterpieces of American cinema. Let's take it from the top:

• Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln. Lewis is probably one of the greatest, if not THE greatest actor in movies today. He hasn't lost an ounce of his powerful screen presence in the 24 years(!) since My Left Foot. He channels Lincoln and no one will ever look to Raymond Massey's portrayal as definitive anymore.

• Tommy Lee Jones is abolitionist congressman Thaddeus Stevens (PA). Jones never fails to engage as he grabs the screen and won't let go, even in a supporting role and wearing a God-awful ugly wig.

• Sally Field brings new life and insight to Mary Todd Lincoln. She has always received bad press and bad history. Mental illness and deep depression are her anchor weights. But they also hold down a remarkable woman in her own right.

• David Strathairn, versatile actor that he is, becomes Secretary of State William Seward, famous otherwise for Alaska. A fine political operative, he is led by Lincoln to do the impossible.

• The three arm-twisters uh, lobbyists, strike just the right comic relief. (Obviously John Goodman wouldn't have fit into this movie!)

• Steven Spielberg is still at the top of his game. Perhaps only Schindler's List can stand above Lincoln. In all these years he manages to find the heart and soul of the important story and let us experience it.

• Tony Kushner has certainly continued to hone his art. From Angels in America to Lincoln he is amazing.

The use of light and shadow is spectacular and almost miraculous. The ambiance of the movie grabs and carries you into the story. Storyteller Abraham Lincoln has his story told in great fashion.

I cried five times during the movie, starting in the very second scene as soldiers recite the Gettysburg Address to Lincoln. I cried at the passage of the 13th Amendment and at Lincoln's words in his second inaugural address. Why did I cry?

First and foremost this is the story of my country. This is the story of what finally made us THE United States of America, a single country, not a collection of states. I am at heart a crazy patriotic, American romantic.(The Battle Hymn of the Republic still brings tears!) I continue to believe strongly in the ideals and hopes this nation represents. Without the 13th Amendment banning slavery we would not be even as far as we are today.

Which is the other reason I found myself crying. This is nearly 150 years ago now. Yet the ideals for which Lincoln worked so hard, the prejudices and hatreds are often just barely under the surface today. Sure, sometimes they are hidden and draped in words that sound sane and patriotic. But they are neither! Racism, the continuing legacy of a nation built on slavery of one group because they are different, is real. It has infused our nation. It is still a poison in our system.

Sure, it is better today. Some even believe that racism has disappeared. Don't be so sure. Evil has a way of winning souls to its side through cunning and double-talk. I am a white, Euro-American. I grew up in a middle-American mostly white, European ethnic community in the 50s and 60s. Civil rights was THE #1 issue in my youth. (The close second was war.) Perhaps I am still too ready to see racism under every tree and around every corner. I hope so.

But this movie has reminded me of what I see going on today. It has shown the power of politics to distort and manipulate. In the midst of that Lincoln himself had to do his own manipulation. He knew, HE KNEW, that passing the 13th Amendment held the key to our national future. Sadly he didn't live to make his dream a reality.

But in this magnificent portrayal, Spielberg, Day-Lewis, Jones, Field, et. al. have reminded us of the great calling that

all men are created equal!

All!

And not just men.

(Argo, Flight, and Lincoln down. Life of Pi is next.

Post-Election Thoughts (1)

Secession?

Isn't that a little extreme?

The White House website allows for people to petition the government even to request permission to secede. Some don't bother with the "official" way, they publish their own harangues. Like this one from Texas:

We must contest every single inch of ground and delay the baby-murdering, tax-raising socialists at every opportunity.... Why should Vermont and Texas live under the same government?

Pretty strong feelings wouldn't you say? Some people are really upset by Obama's re-election. Probably especially since they really believed the GOP hype (and media polls) that it was going to be a nail-biter of an election. Then came the crash of the morning after.

Four more years of an enemy to the nation? That's how they felt.

And otherwise rational, red-blooded Americans begin to say,

Hey, he's not MY president.

None of this is new, of course. And I don't mean the Lincoln election of 1860. But, as I have said in different ways before this, I am one who has NOT lived under the president I voted for or supported most of my adult life. In fact, it would only be 16 years since 1968. One Carter, two Clinton and one Obama term. That's just a little over 1/3 of my adult life. The rest, well, there was Nixon and Reagan and Bush 1 and Bush 2. I have had to learn how to live as part of the "loyal opposition." That, by the way is essential, repeat ESSENTIAL, in a democracy. One party systems are not the basis of a republic or a democracy.

But secede? So I went to the White House site and saw the simple petition from Texas:

Peacefully grant the State of Texas to withdraw from the United States of America and create its own NEW government.

The US continues to suffer economic difficulties stemming from the federal government's neglect to reform domestic and foreign spending. The citizens of the US suffer from blatant abuses of their rights such as the NDAA, the TSA, etc. Given that the state of Texas maintains a balanced budget and is the 15th largest economy in the world, it is practically feasible for Texas to withdraw from the union, and to do so would protect it's citizens' standard of living and re-secure their rights and liberties in accordance with the original ideas and beliefs of our founding fathers which are no longer being reflected by the federal government.

Very calm and straightforward. It's bi-partisan since some of what is opposed is from Republican administrations and some from Democrats. It makes a kind of odd logic.

Except it would begin a process that would see those freedoms and rights undermined. We would no longer be the United States. And what so many have fought and died for will be lost. Perhaps forever.

Yes, I know some believe it is being taken away by the Federal government. I have seen it happening to civil rights under both parties' administrations. The Constitution was abused by Bush and reaffirmed by Obama. Individual rights are curtailed for one reason by the conservatives and for another by the liberals.

Which is why I am glad to always be part of a loyal opposition, even to the president I helped elect.

Will I take the blame if Obama blows it big time? Of course I will have to. I voted for him and I will admit my mistake. Will he still be my president?

OF COURSE, just as Richard Nixon or Ronald Reagan was. They were no less MY president than Clinton or Obama. THAT is what my dad fought in World War II to protect. Not to have people want to secede or ignore the way democracy truly works.

I am glad, no I am deeply grateful, that I live in the United States. Sure, I said crazy things back in 1973 when Watergate was falling down around the president, like

Don't blame me, I voted for McGovern.

But I stayed here, an American, and proud to be one. Let's try to do the same in the next four years.

Appropriate

Flag at Ellis Island

The highest patriotism is not a blind acceptance of official policy, but a love of one's country deep enough to call her to a higher standard.
--George McGovern

In honor of his memory, here's a bonus from the late Senator.

You know, sometimes, when they say you're ahead of your time, it's just a polite way of saying you have a real bad sense of timing.
--George McGovern

Still the Cradle of Freedom

John F. Kennedy said it 51 years ago in his Inaugural Address:

And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe -- the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution.

I was reminded of that again this past weekend when we spent two days in the deep history of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. First at Valley Forge where the troops with General Washington endured a winter of great tribulation and then at the Independence Mall in historic downtown Philadelphia we were steeped in that great American Creation Story.

Human rights, we said in 1776 are not something that a government hands down to its people. They are God-given and natural.

Democracy, in 1776 was an untried ideal. Would it work? Can it work? What an experiment. It remains an experiment that seems often to teeter on the edge of uncertainty. (That is for a different post, though.)

What I saw in Valley Forge and Philadelphia was the ongoing magnetic draw of this first democratic revolution. We heard languages from around the world. We saw tourists from Japan and Germany stand in awe of a cracked bell with the home of the Declaration of Independence visible behind it across the street.

I was speechless myself. I have never been to the historic sites of Philly before. It was a moment of awe and deep gratitude. From that spot we did "proclaim liberty" to more than just all the land. It went forth around the world.

May that always be the case.

[Note: A number of picture posts will be coming in a few weeks. I have been having fun taking photos. Watch for them so I can share my fun and experiences.]

11-11-11

For Red who was in this war, and for veterans of all ages who did what they felt was the right thing to do.

This is your day.

Happy Birthday for Another year

The wonder of the American march led by an amazing conductor and a remarkable orcehstra.

And one more, with soul. A heartfelt rendition and video that shows the real beauty of America- the people.

Happy Birthday, my homeland, the United States.

Which One Do You Believe?

Two bumper stickers on the same car.

On the one side, in big, bold letters:

• Jesus Rules

In the center, though not quite as big, from the 2008 campaign:

• Country First

You can't have it both ways. Sorry.

More Singing of the Anthem

I guess there's been one of those periodic attempts to think about changing the National Anthem from The Star-Spangled Banner for any one of a number of reasons. Then last Sunday was a good op-ed piece in the Star-Tribune by Trudi Hahn Pickett. She writes:

What I'd really like to do is sing "The Star-Spangled Banner," preferably 1) in public, 2) with no microphones and 3) with a large group of fellow citizens.

Currently, this is next to impossible for an American adult.

She goes on to say that this has become impossible because there are always guest singers doing it for us.

Thanks, Trudi. The last time I went to a ballgame at the Metrodome it was Memorial Day. I was actually looking forward to singing the Anthem that afternoon, joining with the 20-30,000 others on a special day for our country. But I didn't get the chance. I don't remember who sang it or why. I was disappointed. That was part of the joy of the game- singing the Anthem at the start (along with Take Me Out to the Ballgame at the 7th inning stretch, but that's another story.)

Yes, I know that it has a militaristic side to it. Even as a pacifist I still know that we didn't get to be the nation we are without the unfortunate of war. As Francis Scott Key sat in Baltimore harbor watching Fort McHenry the very existence of the nation was in doubt. Would we survive? Could we survive? The symbol of our nation was still there in the morning. Yes, we can.

So I agree with Trudi. No it is not an "easy" song to sing, but that never stopped the crowds at those high school football games I used to help announce at. It is not meant to be a performance to move us. It is a community event to remind us of who we are and how we got to be where we are. It is the American Community joining our voiced together not for some celebrity or other to show us they can sing a capella and reach the high note without cracking.

Give me the crackling crowd, imperfect but trying, as we celebrate the United States.

Only One Week Left

I said I would probably post this again. Well, here it is with a week to go until election day. It is the new American Craig Ferguson from back in September. It's right on target. Watch it again- then go vote on Nov. 4.

This Is True

Here is a clip of new American Craig Ferguson doing his monologue on what we all know to be the greatest act of patriotism....



Who knows, I may even post this again closer to election day.