Sadly, very likely true. Unless it's about some "celebrity" or other pop-culture rot, the dumbmasses have, at best, a 15-second sound-bite attention span.
…and this is PERFECT for the “Democratic Socialists” and all the ‘free’ stuff they’re gonna give the dumbasses if elected. 15 seconds is all they need.
Try reading a 19th century text or novel. We're so used to short paragraphs and dialog driven interchange that reading some of the classics requires attention and some effort (but still worth it).
A most excellent speech, that I've long treasured. Brother Cal was, in my opinion, the last President to exercise the powers of the office as the Framers intended.
But within a great speech full of great insights, here's my fave: "About the Declaration there is a finality that is exceedingly restful. It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern. But that reasoning can not be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction can not lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient, than those of the Revolutionary fathers."
If ever there was a more succinct and definitive disposition of the modern "liberal" sensibility, this is it.
An essay that should be required reading by every American high school student. It is filled with many observations which are all but absent in today's teaching of our Nation's history. Here is just one:
"Governments do not make ideals, but ideals make governments. . . . Of course the government can help to sustain ideals and can create institutions through which they can be the better observed, but . . . [t]he people have to bear their own responsibilities. There is no method by which that burden can be shifted to the government. It is not the enactment, but the observance of laws, that creates the character of a nation."
Let's hope we can recommit to the ideals that inspired our founders. Happy 4th of July.
Back in ancient history, I was required to take a Civics class in 8th grade. In 7th grade, our student council had travelled to Santa Fe to observe the state legislature, where I saw the power of the anonymous voice vote. As part of the Civics class instruction, we formed a city council; I was elected mayor of our temporary city state. So….I got an ordinance passed that authorized a voice vote with the mayor deciding on the vote’s outcome. The next day, I talked rather nicely to one of the girls on the council, convincing her to propose that I be made mayor for life. I then decided that the voice vote was in the affirmative even though it obviously wasn’t. My intent was to show my classmates just how fragile democracy is. The problem was that I had not advised the teacher before doing so, so the lesson was lost.
The principle, however, remains. Our Constitution, if actually followed, provides the most marvelous means by which a people can organize itself into a government. The Founders wrote that they knew full well our government would remain as initially conceived if and only if honorable men were elected. That hope began its downward slide with our first Congress to our current condition of Congress giving all of its real power to the Executive Branch so none of them can be held accountable for the condition in which we now find ourselves. I wish all of you a happy Independence Day.
I remember our elementary school did history by grades, with Town 3rd, State 4th, Country 5tyh, and world 6th (emphasis on western civ). I don't think they do that any more.
Our date is 4 July 2025. Just as Virginians said, “No”! others did the same.
In about 1985-1986, the Soviet Union had to divest some territory.
Today, 2025, The Russian Federation is still fighting in their “Special Military Operation”.
United States Executive Orders are not as strong as United States “Laws”!
Examples of “Accords”, the Minsk Accord of 2014 was not honored; neighbors felt “Threatened”.
When people feel “Threatened”, other people step into “Protect”.
Whether “Protection” is achieved through Diplomacy or Military Might, people still suffer.
When countries establish Agencies to monitor Nuclear Energy, as one example, some countries no longer wish to participate citing “Discrimination” as an example.
CDR Salamander, I’ll continue to read today’s posting.
Yesterday’s posting about our United States Ship Building capabilities was very interesting!
I read about China, Great Britain, India, and Russian Ships above the Earth’s Equator. CDR Salamander, I study Maritime Law. Thank you for your very nice Riverside Farm Studio. The help was great! Mark was nice to welcome me. I hope Mark will give me a nice, formal introduction, the Navy Way, to you CDR Salamander. Looking forward to that introduction I respectfully request permission to go ashore!
Executive Orders, in *any* form, are in no fashion mentioned in the Constitution. Indeed, the Founders had just thrown off their king and would be horrified at what has been done since their day.
As long as the executive order is just telling the executive branch what to do within the scope of the law, there's no problem. Telling the exec branch to do something lawful or telling us all what to do, is clearly wrong.
Exactly. Congress writes rules for procedures and standards, as does the Supreme Court. I don’t find explicit language on this topic for the Executive Branch, but that makes sense as well. It’s the whole “Ignore the Constitution and make law in the White House” thing that is unconstitutional and morally wrong.
Great words
For someone who was known as "Silent Cal" it seems like he had a lot to say.
Spot on.
Moreover still worth listening to a century later.
Happy Fourth My fellow patriots and country men and women.
I never knew that he expressed so many words in a single address-- well stated, Mr. President.
Good bless America!! Happy 4th of July!
I guess people had a longer attention span back then.
Sadly, very likely true. Unless it's about some "celebrity" or other pop-culture rot, the dumbmasses have, at best, a 15-second sound-bite attention span.
…and this is PERFECT for the “Democratic Socialists” and all the ‘free’ stuff they’re gonna give the dumbasses if elected. 15 seconds is all they need.
They weren't constantly checking their phones to see if a new Instagram or Tic Toc had been posted
Try reading a 19th century text or novel. We're so used to short paragraphs and dialog driven interchange that reading some of the classics requires attention and some effort (but still worth it).
A worthy read this day. Thankyou.
A most excellent speech, that I've long treasured. Brother Cal was, in my opinion, the last President to exercise the powers of the office as the Framers intended.
But within a great speech full of great insights, here's my fave: "About the Declaration there is a finality that is exceedingly restful. It is often asserted that the world has made a great deal of progress since 1776, that we have had new thoughts and new experiences which have given us a great advance over the people of that day, and that we may therefore very well discard their conclusions for something more modern. But that reasoning can not be applied to this great charter. If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions. If anyone wishes to deny their truth or their soundness, the only direction in which he can proceed historically is not forward, but backward toward the time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. Those who wish to proceed in that direction can not lay claim to progress. They are reactionary. Their ideas are not more modern, but more ancient, than those of the Revolutionary fathers."
If ever there was a more succinct and definitive disposition of the modern "liberal" sensibility, this is it.
The current president’s oratorical skills certainly do not compare favourably.
An essay that should be required reading by every American high school student. It is filled with many observations which are all but absent in today's teaching of our Nation's history. Here is just one:
"Governments do not make ideals, but ideals make governments. . . . Of course the government can help to sustain ideals and can create institutions through which they can be the better observed, but . . . [t]he people have to bear their own responsibilities. There is no method by which that burden can be shifted to the government. It is not the enactment, but the observance of laws, that creates the character of a nation."
Let's hope we can recommit to the ideals that inspired our founders. Happy 4th of July.
Back in ancient history, I was required to take a Civics class in 8th grade. In 7th grade, our student council had travelled to Santa Fe to observe the state legislature, where I saw the power of the anonymous voice vote. As part of the Civics class instruction, we formed a city council; I was elected mayor of our temporary city state. So….I got an ordinance passed that authorized a voice vote with the mayor deciding on the vote’s outcome. The next day, I talked rather nicely to one of the girls on the council, convincing her to propose that I be made mayor for life. I then decided that the voice vote was in the affirmative even though it obviously wasn’t. My intent was to show my classmates just how fragile democracy is. The problem was that I had not advised the teacher before doing so, so the lesson was lost.
The principle, however, remains. Our Constitution, if actually followed, provides the most marvelous means by which a people can organize itself into a government. The Founders wrote that they knew full well our government would remain as initially conceived if and only if honorable men were elected. That hope began its downward slide with our first Congress to our current condition of Congress giving all of its real power to the Executive Branch so none of them can be held accountable for the condition in which we now find ourselves. I wish all of you a happy Independence Day.
Stop lying; you just wanted to be mayor for life!
:)
I remember our elementary school did history by grades, with Town 3rd, State 4th, Country 5tyh, and world 6th (emphasis on western civ). I don't think they do that any more.
If I remember correctly, all of those “xxxx for life” types never ended up well.
I don't know why this bothers me but it does, so here it is:
Germans have a July 4. So do Russians, Canadians, the Chinese...
We're not celebrating July 4.
Happy Independence day.
And have a Merry December 25th this year too.
And after getting that off my chest I was able to get past the headline and read the actual post...which is excellent. Thank you.
The Arabs have one too and it is a significant date for them as it is the date of the Horns of Hattin where Saladin wiped out the major Crusader army.
I also am highly pedantic in this regard.
Every miserable nation on earth has a July 4th
I celebrate INDEPENDENCE DAY!
Well said...
What a great American. Too bad he doesn't get the respect he deserves
I was looking for this! Thanks for posting and a Happy Independence Day to you all!
Good Morning CDR Salamander!
Happy 4th
I’m about 30% complete reading this Email.
Our date is 4 July 2025. Just as Virginians said, “No”! others did the same.
In about 1985-1986, the Soviet Union had to divest some territory.
Today, 2025, The Russian Federation is still fighting in their “Special Military Operation”.
United States Executive Orders are not as strong as United States “Laws”!
Examples of “Accords”, the Minsk Accord of 2014 was not honored; neighbors felt “Threatened”.
When people feel “Threatened”, other people step into “Protect”.
Whether “Protection” is achieved through Diplomacy or Military Might, people still suffer.
When countries establish Agencies to monitor Nuclear Energy, as one example, some countries no longer wish to participate citing “Discrimination” as an example.
CDR Salamander, I’ll continue to read today’s posting.
Yesterday’s posting about our United States Ship Building capabilities was very interesting!
I read about China, Great Britain, India, and Russian Ships above the Earth’s Equator. CDR Salamander, I study Maritime Law. Thank you for your very nice Riverside Farm Studio. The help was great! Mark was nice to welcome me. I hope Mark will give me a nice, formal introduction, the Navy Way, to you CDR Salamander. Looking forward to that introduction I respectfully request permission to go ashore!
Nurse Jane Lights the Way … Foresrd!
Executive Orders, in *any* form, are in no fashion mentioned in the Constitution. Indeed, the Founders had just thrown off their king and would be horrified at what has been done since their day.
As long as the executive order is just telling the executive branch what to do within the scope of the law, there's no problem. Telling the exec branch to do something lawful or telling us all what to do, is clearly wrong.
Exactly. Congress writes rules for procedures and standards, as does the Supreme Court. I don’t find explicit language on this topic for the Executive Branch, but that makes sense as well. It’s the whole “Ignore the Constitution and make law in the White House” thing that is unconstitutional and morally wrong.