Depending on your Point of View...

In my reading and studies of our nation's beginnings, I am frequently struck by an angle or viewpoint that may not be the one usually pursued.

It is said that there are two sides to every story, right? (Personally, I maintain there are at least three...!) Have you ever considered viewing the American rebellion years leading to the events of 1776 from the perspective of the English monarchy? Not, of course, that England was in the right - it just makes for, may I say, an interesting approach. From our viewpoint, perhaps 'absurd' would be a better word, in light of where America stands today... I just find it intriguing how a situation, or an individual, can be perceived so very differently by those involved, or by on-lookers, based on...based on what? Needs? Desires? Duty? How we can be so absolutely certain of a thing, but time may soon tell us that we were mistaken...

Of course, we want to be sure, we want to be certain...it can be uncomfortable and unsettling, if not down-right hard, to be unsure of what one believes, or what one should do. Decisions eventually must be made, action must be taken at some point. One cannot waffle forever. So how do we know? Often, we don't. Then it becomes, whether minute or major, a risk. Risk can be scary. To move forward, risking, invites bolstering one's self with the certainty of the belief motivating the risk. So we're back at Square One! Do we refuse doubt? That can be foolhardy...but if we don't...can we move forward?

At that point, I might dig into my mental pocket and pull out Scriptures, a favorite being "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5, KJV) This can be difficult to do, though! And when the building still falls down around you, then what? That's where the business of your own "understanding" needs to be re-evaluated. Your and my idea of loss, defeat or even disaster, and our reactions to these things, are probably not the way God is looking at it. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD." (Isaiah 55:8, KJV)

George III, King of England during those early Revolutionary years, believed God was on his side. He believed this with all his heart. Consequently, it only made sense that England should and would triumph. How wrong was that assumption!

Conversely, Americans came to see George III's rule as being any number of cruel, unjust and tyrannical elements, deliberately being applied to deprive them of the freedoms and the life which they wanted. There could be no justification for being bowed down by them, enslaved to them...yet the King could see no justification for the colonies not being subjected to him and his rule. On July 5, 1775, one year plus one day before the signing of our Declaration of Independence, King George III made his own declaration, in a letter to his Prime Minister, that "no consideration" would cause him to "depart from the present path which I think myself in duty-bound to follow." ( John Fortescue, ed., Correspondence of King George III ) He would "trust to Providence" as he followed this course, "compelling obedience" from the colonists. (David McCullough, 1776)

The English monarch did not want to war against his own subjects. Addressing Parliament at the Palace of Westminster, in October of 1775, the King explained that he had hoped to prevent the bloodshed and calamity "inseparable from a state of war", and expressed his desire for the people in America to recognize that being a member of British society, being his subject, was to be the "freest member of any civil society in the known world." ( William Cobbett, The Parliamentary History of England from the Earliest Period to the Year 1803) Ah, but we have come to know better...

In his speech that day, the English monarch used phraseology that put me in mind of words from our first President, George Washington, the leader of truly the freest civil society in the known world. Speaking of the "fatal effects" (to his realm) of American success in achieving independence, King George presented a picture of the British nation as one abundantly blessed by God, favored, vigorous in growth and prosperity, of which the colonies were a part as well as a result. Washington, in unused Inaugural notes, (cited in my sidebar) spoke of Divine favor and abundant blessing and resources burgeoning upon our continent, bestowed for the emerging young nation of America to do that very thing, emerge! The similarity in the sound of the words is, however, disrupted by a singular difference: George III was more than loathe to relinquish the colonies, whereas Washington saw the "salutary consequence of which shall flow to another Hemisphere & extend through the interminable series of ages...{he anticipated} the blessed effects which our Revolution will occasion in the rest of the world..."

I have done more reading than most about George Washington, and from that, I know that he trusted to Providence. King George, as referenced above, trusted to Providence as well. Both men were key leaders, one way or another, who believed absolutely in their cause, even more so as that cause reached crisis level. Yet only one led to the victory desired, the triumph most precious of freedom won. As my regular readers know, and my blog title explains, I see the hand of God in America's beginnings. Obviously I would believe that it was His will that brought to pass this victory, though not easily, nor without great suffering and bloodshed. Yes, I do believe that American victory was Divinely intended in this Revolutionary War. But I see another principle here, resident within that intention. Though "... sincerely believ{ing} he was defending Britain's constitution against usurpers..." (Conservapedia) , George III, the King was fighting as well to HOLD ON to property and wealth. He fought for the tangibles. George Washington, the General fought for so much more than that - though tangibles were definitely a part of the Revolutionary cause, that army fought for the intangible. They fought for liberty. Their fight was for the unseen, and "...the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18)

Eternity marched with Washington's troops.

Surrender of the Hessians to General Washington

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announcing, one more time...Guantanamo!

The Senate has rejected the funding requested by the Obama administration for shutting down Gitmo. Until the fate of its 240 prisoners is clearly and in detail determined, nobody, no how, is getting any money for it.

Is anyone else beginning to suspect that the Guantanamo prison may end up not being closed down?

Well, I am.

I'm so excited about that prospect that I'm almost giddy. I would probably be dancing around the room right now if I wasn't sitting at my computer typing this post. Time will tell, of course, and there's that whole not-counting-your-chicks-'til-the-eggs-have-hatched thing...

But -
behold the following excerpts from an article in today's Washington Post...

- "he {FBI Director Robert S. Mueller} said he was generally concerned that released detainees could "support" terrorism, provide financing, radicalize others or even participate in attacks in the United States."

- "Democrats under no circumstances will move forward without a comprehensive, responsible plan from the president." He added, "We will never allow terrorists to be released into the United States." (Senate Majority leader Harry Reid-D)

- "But their {Senate Democrats hoping to get at least part of Obama's $80 million request to close Gitmo} resolve crumbled in the face of a concerted Republican campaign warning of dire consequences if some detainees ended up in prisons or other facilities in the United States, a possibility that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has acknowledged.

- "Republicans said they will continue to press for even tougher language aimed at forcing the military to keep the Guantanamo site in operation.

- "The bottom line is, there are things down there {Guantanamo} that we can't replicate anywhere else," said Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) ...Keeping the facility open and operating within U.S. legal norms, "is by far the best option."

- "...some {Senate Dems} are even echoing the GOP assertion that the state-of-the-art facility should remain open."



It seems that, as the actual event of releasing hard-core, America-hating terrorists/suspects moves closer, people are getting nervous. The Democrats who want to close Gitmo are getting nervous. NOBODY wants these detainees in this country. Who in their right mind would? They are dangerous. Whether people are for or against the Afghan-Iraqi war, for or against torture, for or against Obama or Bush, I think it's a pretty safe bet to repeat: NOBODY wants anyone with even the scent of terrorism clinging to them, in a prison in this country, or released and roaming free in this country. It is incredibly, incredibly, and I repeat for the third time incredibly stupid to release these detainees into this country. "We, the people" do not want them here.

Reading this piece in the Post, I had this ludicrous impression of the big, bad Wolf (actually, the Republicans) huffing & puffing & blowing the House down! (Dems trying to close Gitmo). Me having mental images of a political caricature is in and of itself...well, a first! But that's how it looks to me...

Returning to Things Jeffersonian...

It was a close call. The recent release of the CIA memos was pulling me in the direction of 'commentary', but while eating, I leaned down & picked up a book lying on the floor nearby, to read & stir up my mind a bit. Get some creative juices flowing! Picking up where I'd left off in "American Sphinx: the Character of Thomas Jefferson" proved to be...well, stimulating is a good word, but not the one I'm looking for. As I read about the Windsor chair in which Jefferson sat, and the specially-made desk on which he wrote the Declaration of Independence, in a brick building on the corner of 7th. & Market Streets, in Philadelphia, I actually sat up straighter, almost thrilled, & started to cry joyful tears. I don't know if that building is still standing, but if it is, I'm heading there on my upcoming vacation.


And, just like that...it's back to Thomas Jefferson!
ooo

I had been writing about Jefferson's background of learning, where and when he was exposed to the ideas and roots of ideas that were, ultimately, so powerfully instrumental in the shaping of America and its systems of law and government. And I want to continue in that vein. But, while reading about him last night, several other topics presented themselves, I took notes, and while these ideas are still fresh, I want to expound on them a bit. So, let me get those notes...

First, let me just say - I am almost bedazzled by the mind and personality of this man. I found myself grinning inwardly, (if that's possible) and I'm talkin' BIG grin here, as I watched Thomas Jefferson's mental prowess unfold, through the words of author Joseph J. Ellis. And I suppose I should admit some of that 'warm fuzzy' I was feeling was because I could understand what Jefferson was doing, and how he operated. I almost feel as if I've met a kindred spirit...my heart goes out to his thin-skinned touchiness towards, and jealousy of his literary endeavours. Jefferson didn't take kindly to its criticisms. He nourished & cherished his works, he birthed them in solitude and they were his, not to be picked on, tampered with, or re-adjusted by others. As Ellis puts it "he regarded all critical suggestions as unwelcome and misguided corruptions." Jefferson had to endure a certain amount of it, but he did not have to like it.

(At this point, I've realized those notes are, so to speak, history! Can't find 'em! So, until and if I do, let's get back to business...)

I don't want to neglect emphasizing the early-years' learning influence on Jefferson's thinking. Seeds planted back then, in a fertile, active mind, produced much more than just concepts and formulas. And Jefferson's seemingly unquenchable thirst for knowledge factors into the equation as well...in today's society, he may well have been labeled a 'nerd', considering the amount of time he actually preferred to spend with his books, instead his friends! A close college chum has reported that during his two years at William & Mary College, Jefferson would "fly to his studies", leaving friends in the dust, and family tradition indicates those studies often took up fifteen hours of his day! (Wikipedia, Thomas Jefferson, Section 1.2 - Education)


Fast-forwarding, from the vantage point of a major player in the creation of the new nation of America, Jefferson was the embodiment of the kinds of knowledge needed for such a monumental endeavour. All of the amazing men whom today we call a Founding Father, (or who, though we may not recognize their names, took part in our beginnings), were vital and indispensable to such a profound event. Each had his part. But the mentality with which Thomas Jefferson was equipped, and whose life's learning and experiences had produced that mentality, brought to the table that which would cement forever in place all those individual parts. The pillars of American government, and its liberty, were thus secured.


Over eighty years after the creation and signing of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson's masterful sculpting of principles, arguments and ideas gave to "abstract truth" a form so powerful and enduring as to more than merit this high commendation:

"The principles of Jefferson are the definitions and axioms of free society...All honor to Jefferson - who...had the coolness, forecast, and capacity to introduce...an abstract truth,(emphasis mine) applicable to all men and all times...in all coming days, it shall be a rebuke and a stumbling-block to the very harbingers of re-appearing tyranny and oppression." - Abraham Lincoln

So I don't think it is in any way an exaggeration to stipulate repeatedly just how large a part Thomas Jefferson's studies played in the formation of the American way. Indeed, the way which yet today stands as that beacon of glorious liberty to which the whole world looks. Many, in hope, some with longing, and others, sadly, in hatred...but still America stands. In God's will and by His grace and mercy, for sure..but it was His will to so prepare the mind and heart of Thomas Jefferson that, resident within him was the extraordinary compilation of knowledge that made all things possible for America past, America present and may it still be His will, America future...

ooo

Let's examine some of Jefferson's educational history.

At the age of nine, young Thomas was being taught Greek, French and Latin, at a local school.
(Now, I don't know about you, but to me, nine seems a bit young? for Greek, French, and Latin?
( I must say,though, that is impressive.) And, as it turns out, the "study of Latin and Greek,... greatly reinforced {the} understanding of grammar..", which is important for many reasons, one of them being to "acquire as many words and manage as many concepts as possible so as to be able to express and understand clearly concepts of varying degrees of complexity". (Wikipedia, Classical Education Movement, 1.1.1 Grammar) I ask you: are we talkin' Revolution here, are we talkin' government and politics here, are we talkin' Declaration of Independence here? You bet we are.

Skills the man would need were being implanted in the boy. God took no chances.

For two years, from 1758 - 1760, Thomas boarded with the family of the teacher at a school in Fredericksburg Parish, Virginia, twelve miles from Jefferson's home. There he was given a 'classical' education. I was going to gloss over this aspect of Jefferson's education, it seemed inconsequential compared to bigger and better things! but fortunately I had second thoughts. A classical education supplies a student with grammar, logic and rhetoric skills. He learns how to reason, how to "to critically examine arguments and to analyze {his} own." He learns how to express his reasonings through debate and composition, to present his arguments well, and to use every available means of persuasion to do so.

(I won't repeat my 'are we talkin'? bit here...but it does seem like a handwriting-on-the-wall kind of scenario...)

Other phases of classical education involved the study of history as a context, illustrating political and military developments. The presentation of situational conflicts and problems leading to their own answers through forward-moving actions was a primary result of such teaching. And I don't think you can get much more 'forward-moving action' than a revolution for independence from tyranny. How interesting is it that the study of what has gone before can be what leads us into our future.

Included in a classical education was the concept of 'paideia', a Greek word meaning 'education' or 'instruction'. Greek citizens of ancient times believed in self-government, therefore such instruction was, rather than for an art or a trade, instruction for liberty. 'Paideia' encompasses more than this one aspect, but my point is that the seed of liberty was being planted and watered in young Jefferson's thinking.


While at William & Mary College, Jefferson enrolled in the philosophy school there, and was introduced to the writings of John Locke (1632 - 1704). Among other things, Locke was an 'opposition political activist, and finally a revolutionary whose cause ultimately triumphed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.' (link) Sound at all familiar? Though I have not read any of his writings (yet), this source tells us that Locke's work "is characterized by opposition to authoritarianism. This opposition is both on the level of the individual person and on the level of institutions such as government and church." Again...familiar? Locke advocated the use of reason to seek truth, thereby determining legitimate versus illegitimate functions for institutions, thus leading to optimal individual and societal well-being.

Even in just brief research on John Locke, I can see how deeply intrigued one could be by his writings, and how profoundly affected. As, it appears, was Thomas Jefferson.

There is, of course, more - much more - to say about this subject of Thomas Jefferson's education, and I may continue in this vein in my next post. Jefferson is constantly cited as being a man of the Enlightenment, and perhaps that will be next...

Swine Flu got You Scared?

"It is... likely that it will fade away in a couple of weeks, because the flu season is nearly over, and there is no evidence that there is anything unusual about the way this virus behaves."



Read this excellent article, written by medical sociologist Bart Laws, posted on AlterNet this morning, & be encouraged...

http://www.alternet.org/healthwellness/139588/much_ado_about_the_flu:_is_the_media_frenzy_justified/