woke up this morning
no longer in United States
hey, I never moved …
It was Mr. Lincoln who summed up the whole reason for the American Civil War using the words:
” … that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.“
Government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
That was my country Mr. Lincoln was talking about.
That was the style of Government in my country that Mr. Lincoln was talking about.
Government of the people, by the people, for the people.
When I woke up this morning, I was no longer in that country with that style of government.
Overnight.
And I didn’t move anywhere.
Yesterday, April 6, 2023, the Legislature [sic]* of the State of Tennessee voted to remove, to expel duly elected representatives from that legislative body.
Voted to remove, to expel duly elected representatives for a lack of decorum during a protest in the State House of Representatives.
Voted to remove, to expel duly elected representatives for a lack of decorum during a protest about a lack of response by that same Legislature in the matter of violence involving weapons that resulted in the death of 3 nine year old children and three adults.
A lack of decorum during a protest in the matter of violence involving weapons that resulted in the death of 3 nine year old children and three adults?
Is it me or does decorum even have a place in a protest about a matter of violence involving weapons that result in the death of 3 nine year old children and three adults?
I am reminded of the the movie Apocalypse Now when Colonel Walter E. Kurtz, played by Marlon Brando, says about the war in Vietnam, “We train young men to drop fire on people, but their commanders won’t allow them to write ‘f***’ on their airplanes … because it’s obscene!“
As for protests, I am reminded of the quote:
” … somewhere I read of the freedom of assembly.
Somewhere I read of the freedom of speech.
Somewhere I read of the freedom of press.
Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right.”
Somewhere I read that the greatness of America is the right to protest for right!
I am sure you remember that quote.
I am pretty sure you remember that it was said by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I am hopefully sure you remember Dr. King.
Dr. King.
You remember him?
You remember him, don’t you?
Dr. King visited the great State of Tennessee 55 years ago on April 4, 1968.
He was murdered on that day in Tennessee, by a man committing an act of violence involving a weapon.
*[sic] as it is understood – not based in fact
No Haiku For You 