I reviewed my copy of the US Constitution today. In it, I found a number of specific rights that are guaranteed to all Americans. These rights include the freedom of religion, speech, assembly, ownership of guns, unreasonable searches, and a number of others. It also guarantees the right to live (though not forever), to be free, and the opportunity to pursue that which makes one happy. I did not find a right to be taken care of. On the contrary, I did find a right to not (continue reading…)

As I stood for the National Anthem at a salute to veterans this weekend the question at the end of the first verse struck me in an unusual way, “…does the Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”

I have always though it appropriate that our National Anthem ended in a question, because in a free society the question always presents itself- shall we be free tomorrow? This question will always be with us, because freedom requires the action of the people.

Many sing without hearing the words thus they do not realize that ours is the only national song that ends with such a question. Those who do know that the final stanza answers the question, and assume as I traditionally have, the answer to be yes. But this day in 2009, I must admit that a lump rose in my throat as the song ended… it is difficult today to say that the banner does indeed wave over the land of the free.

Freedom can be defined simply as the lack of the physical coercion of another. This of course does not mean that the rights of your neighbor do not limit what you can do; he has the right to defend his property. But, to be free, he may not force you to (continue reading…)

The following words are compiled in reflection of our nation’s founding, to be read as an editorial, plagiarized from our history. None of the following words are mine.

Proclaim liberty throughout the land…¹that all men are by nature equally free and independent² America is another name for opportunity. Our whole history appears like a last effort of divine providence on behalf of the human race.³ How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy! You will never know how much it has cost (continue reading…)

There may be nothing that brings a greater feeling of patriotism than the Stars and Stripes. Immortalized in song and memory; will anyone forget the emotion brought on by the display of flags everywhere on September 12, 2001; the Stars and Stripes Forever,  or our National Anthem, which is of course about the flag. Since its adoption on June 14, 1777, it has been a symbol of unity, a symbol of pride, and of freedom. Perhaps over time, we have made an idol of the flag, and in doing so, forgotten what it represents.

Some generations ago, the flag that brought about this loyalty looked much different. Although red, white and blue, there were no stars. In the years leading up to the Revolution, our Founding Fathers held to an allegiance to their king; one they believed was chosen (continue reading…)