If the Founding Fathers were transported forward into the 21st century, what would they think about America, the country they superbly crafted? If they looked at “we the people,” of whom they were part of, not apart from, what would they think of the generations in whose care the country has been placed? Would they be impressed with our patriotism, selflessness, our quest for liberty, sturdiness of character? After all, these and other noble characteristics were generally the norm, when the Founding Fathers were around, weren’t they? Are they still?

Normally, I would be getting out the patriotic decorations and hanging them from every available space. I have not caught the decorating bug this year. Deep in my subconscious is the nagging fear that “we the people,” are in the process of allowing charlatans to deliberately scrub this country of the mores, laws, culture and Constitution that have proven to be successful and vital to the preservation of the nation. We are about to sacrifice the Founding Fathers on the altar of political correctness. The charlatans bear their fair share of the blame for the almost inexorable deterioration of a still unique and exceptional country, but more of the weight falls on “we the people.” We have allowed their despicable behavior by our inaction and lack of courage in reining them in. We have forgotten that this is a republic “for and by the people.” We have the power. We cannot allow that power to be diluted by being sedated with handouts of any kind. We owe it to the Founders and the generations to come, to pass on the nations as it was intended to be.

Are we still a patriotic people, nurturing and caring for our country? The dictionary definition of patriotism is: “Devoted love, support and defense of one’s country; national loyalty.” I am painfully aware that I have been witness to very overt evidence of the opposite in some influential people and institutions in this country. I do not need to list on a roster. They know who they are, and they make sure that we, the patriotic ones, know who they are, as they proudly flaunt those actions which convey lack of support for their country. Instead of giving any more publicity to those malfeasants, I will focus on where I could safely bet my life, that I will find the living embodiment of that dictionary definition of patriotism.

I have to look no further than the “cannon fodder” of the Military. These are the enlisted men and women who obey orders that often mean that they sacrifice life and limbs on foreign soil. I am going to have to give special kudos to those brave men and women fighting in Afghanistan, where the rules of engagement are apparently designed to make their lives more expendable, by protecting those phantom civilians, such as in this article? The cowardly enemy, dressing in women’s clothing, knows those rules of engagement, and slipped into women’s garb, the ugly garb that these “men,” force their women to wear, and tried to escape. Thank God it did not work this time.

The enemy is cowardly but not entirely stupid. These enemies know that in a fair fight, they are no match for our troops, so they are taking full advantage of this “gift” of IREOs (Idiotic Rules of Engagement). They have set a record for the month of June, in the killing American and NATO troops. Hopefully the General once labeled “General Betray Us,” will take a serious look at these REOs and slay them as his namesake did to Goliath, and allow our troops to bring Iraq to Afghanistan. For the uninformed, that means effectively using the surge of troops in Afghanistan to work effectively, as it did in Iraq. It is so ironic how this General so reviled by some legislators and segments of this society for his surge strategy in Iraq, is now looked up as the “savior” of Afghanistan. His previous detractors did not let out a whimper at his nomination for taking over in Afghanistan. He was approved unanimously. This time around, no derogatory ads appeared anywhere in the media.

What would the Founding Fathers think about the refusal to let students recite the Pledge of Allegiance? They would perhaps be very perplexed and probably very angry. As a matter of fact, I think that they may have visited that school and tried to reason with those in charge, and lend support to the students who are simply asking to pledge their allegiance to their country. The danger would have been that the logic of these learned men may have escaped the administrators of the ‘no Pledge” policy. Come to think about it. Are the students asking too much, to be able to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the country of their birth? Not to fear though. The Founding Fathers will find that the “reluctants” are overwhelming outnumbered by waves of patriots “from sea to shining sea!”

Unfortunately, “sea to shining sea,” triggered a fearful thought that the Gulf oil spill of almost Biblical proportions, has the potential to change those seas from “shining,” to “sludge to murky sludge.” The Founding Fathers, after making that trip to the “no Pledge” school, may have then wandered along the coast, sloshing in oil, and found out from this article, that it all comes back to politics, according to the writer. As a matter of fact the writer is not shy about placing the “death of the republic” at the feet of the leaders and organizations responsible for ensuring that the republic lives to see another birthday. As the saying goes, “accidents happen.” Presumably the oil spill was an accident. The inertia in fixing the accident may well have reminded the Founding Fathers of the days when the mail came by horseback or buggy, or how it took days for Commanders such as General George Washington, to lead their men into battle. I think they got to the fight faster than that oil spill will ever be cleaned up.

The curiosity of the Founding Fathers might cause them to wonder how we in this present day, think of them. They may find that in some quarters, the reverence in which they are normally held, is rare. Some organizations want to replace the history of the Founding Fathers, to make room for lesser lights. Once again though, the Founding Fathers will find that those of us who hold them in high esteem, still outnumber the louts who try to dishonor their memory. The National Archives gives a complete listing and description of the Founding Fathers, available for perusal by all, fans and non fans alike. We, the majority, are fully cognizant that, no matter the revisionist history, this assemblage of brave, intelligent, determined lovers of liberty will probably not be replicated – ever. Should we lose the country that they crafted, it is over for “we the (little) people.”

After being totally disillusioned by the destruction of the Gulf, the disrespect and ingratitude of some, the plodding leadership, the spirits of the Founding Fathers should be revitalized by the story of the republic in song. I am sure that they would totally enjoy this visual treat courtesy of Colonel Hurley! I became a proud citizen of the USA, to the sounds of “God Bless the USA, by Lee Greenwood. What would be a July 4th without the splendiferous rendition of God Bless America by Kate Smith? Even my spirits are percolating!

Those July 4th decorations that I hesitated to hang? Not to worry. When my fellow churchgoers show up for service on Sunday, July 4th, they will find that I have not lost the decorating touch! Our Fellowship Hall is resplendent in red, white and blue, and Old Glory!

The bottom line, in my humble opinion is that – we will not lose this country! Deep in the souls of too many of us, abide love of country, pride in country, appreciation of country – and – a thirst for liberty that will not be satiated even by a reasonable facsimile. We have a virtual Liberty Tree planted in our hearts, if not in our town square! . If the plan is to destroy this republic, Patrick Henry would be proud to know that there are millions of us who still believe in his “give me liberty, or give me death” mantra. We ordinary citizens are very fortunate that, in our day and age, we get to fight our battles at the ballot box, and not leave our blood on the battlefield. We are gearing up. We are inspired – by Patrick Henry’s example, and those of the other Revolutionaries, and by other men who women who have bled and are bleeding for us – for this republic!

Happy Birthday, “land of the free and home of the brave!” Old Glory, here’s to you, from a proud, liberty-loving, unabashedly patriotic American!

I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.

God bless America!