This is one of your best essays. It reminds us of the America we used to have and, god willing, will have again in the future. Not a perfect America but an America that is always striving towards a more perfect union. We are in a very dark place at the moment. For the sake of my children and grandchildren, I hope that someday I can look back at this time nostalgically and say, " this was the time America lost its mind but we have regained our sanity and we are America again." Unlike Dr. King, I have not been to the mountain top and I cannot see the promised land. I can only hope its out there.
Great essay !!! Again !! There’s that saying “May you live in interesting times”. It’s true for me. When I was about 5 or 6 my mother graduated from Hofstra university. The speaker at the graduation was Dr King. Don’t ask me what he said . I was 5 or 6. But I do remember he wore a purple robe and he shook my hand as my mom graduated. No daycare . We were poor so I was there. Met Putin at a party in the 80’s living in Paris. He was likely KGB then but we just thought he was the goofy Russian guy trying to be cool and failing. Got a ton of those kind of stories. If I told you who I’m meeting later today you wouldn’t believe me. My life has been interesting and it’s still interesting and THAT is what gives me hope for the future of our country. One never knows what happens next and it turns on a dime .
The latest from this diseased country is to smear Renee Good by calling her AWFUL — Affluent White Female Urban Liberal. Even in death there is not a moment for peace or kindness.
"The first is freedom of speech and expression--everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way--everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want--which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants-everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear--which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor--anywhere in the world." FDR
It really is depressing that all Americans are not aware of FDR's "Four Freedoms." If they were, they would recognize how everything Trump stands for, every one of his actions and beliefs, are diametrically opposed to these lofty goals:
1) He uses the DOJ to shut down and intimidate his "political enemies" and ICE to intimidate those who dare protest.
2) He uses Christianity as a way to control a significant segment of the population, those who have fallen under the spell of a fascist movement falsely labeled as a religious movement, evangelical Christianity and outrightly condemns Muslims, branding them all terrorists.
3) Ending USAID has resulted in suffering and death for millions everywhere in the world and at home his programs have cut aid to those most in need and transferred wealth to the already obscenely wealthy.
4) His entire regime, his immigration policies and concentration camps, his threatening of other sovereign nations including our NATO allies, his use of tariffs to force other nations to endorse his goals, ICE, and the rejection of due process have created a level of fear throughout the world, a real fear of nuclear annihilation.
This is a beautiful tribute to those who have gone before us and who's ideas, morals, sacrifice, and fortitude should be our guide.
Once again in our history, this is not a time to be an armchair patriot, we must take whatever action we can to rest our country from the grip of fascism and this White Nationalist dogma.
MLK walked his talk, it is time for us to walk out talk. Bless those in the ICE bound areas that are daily walking their talk.
Steve, it’s still only January, and who knows how well I shall persevere with my intention to pick up my 60 year old Bible that I blew the dust off of three weeks ago and to read a verse or chapter first thing each morning, day for a year. That was my intention today, and I did, but not before reading your essay. Your words were still ringing in mind when I read today’s passage from scripture, prescribed for lapsed and spiritually impoverished christians like me everywhere. It seems apt, an excerpt from Matthew 13, a kind of preamble to the parable of the sower:
"But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it . . . . “
Steve, thank you for your wonderful essay, “The American King”, which I read and received in joy.
Well, my friend, you are certainly on a roll with your missives. Reading the words of the great men you mentioned is truly uplifting. I share my birthday with Dr. King with pride and sadness. I remember those years of turmoil from the perspective of a teenager attending a catholic military school. Both of those had a huge impact on the development of the young old man I am today. I remember at one point in my I was envious of people who had holidays on their birthdays. The lesson I learned was, Be careful what you wish for. I was 17.
I hear you Tom, as much as I fought the Jesuits in HS, their impact on my thinking and the life I live today is immeasurable. We moved to Atlanta from Lake Oswego, OR the day I graduated from Jesuit HS in the summer of ‘64, so I had a front row seat at the evolving Civil Rights movement which tested everything I had been taught. The 4 freedoms are attainable if we continue to work for them, maybe not in our lifetimes, or that of our grandchildren, but anything we put our minds to is attainable, who would have ever thought we could fly, and we have been to the moon. 🙏
Thank you, Steve, for every history lesson and the words that should help us get thru the next many months. We (I) need your Warnings every day to keep us (me) from losing hope. It’s a tough time.
A brilliantly written and timely piece, Steve. My heart breaks for future generations who, out of fear and loathing for those who advanced the dream of freedom, have been erased from history. It is now incumbent on all of us to remember their words and shout them from the mountain.
Beautiful. May Patriotic Americans stiffen their spines for the fight that lies ahead as surely as night follows day. May we emulate Dr King, embracing that it doesn’t really matter with us now. May we go forward resolutely, fearing nothing and certainly fearing no man or cult. For our eyes have seen America’s glory that was and will be again
Steve, as I read your words here, I can’t help thinking that they and those of the great men you quote are functionally dismissed as quaint drivel by our ruling billionaire class and the corrupt, cynical politicians of both parties they fund. Money hoarders, having purchased a stultifyingly corrupt Supreme Court to assist their elected politicians, may well destroy the nation in which they have so mightily prospered.
This is one of your best essays. It reminds us of the America we used to have and, god willing, will have again in the future. Not a perfect America but an America that is always striving towards a more perfect union. We are in a very dark place at the moment. For the sake of my children and grandchildren, I hope that someday I can look back at this time nostalgically and say, " this was the time America lost its mind but we have regained our sanity and we are America again." Unlike Dr. King, I have not been to the mountain top and I cannot see the promised land. I can only hope its out there.
Great essay !!! Again !! There’s that saying “May you live in interesting times”. It’s true for me. When I was about 5 or 6 my mother graduated from Hofstra university. The speaker at the graduation was Dr King. Don’t ask me what he said . I was 5 or 6. But I do remember he wore a purple robe and he shook my hand as my mom graduated. No daycare . We were poor so I was there. Met Putin at a party in the 80’s living in Paris. He was likely KGB then but we just thought he was the goofy Russian guy trying to be cool and failing. Got a ton of those kind of stories. If I told you who I’m meeting later today you wouldn’t believe me. My life has been interesting and it’s still interesting and THAT is what gives me hope for the future of our country. One never knows what happens next and it turns on a dime .
The latest from this diseased country is to smear Renee Good by calling her AWFUL — Affluent White Female Urban Liberal. Even in death there is not a moment for peace or kindness.
"The first is freedom of speech and expression--everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way--everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want--which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants-everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear--which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor--anywhere in the world." FDR
It really is depressing that all Americans are not aware of FDR's "Four Freedoms." If they were, they would recognize how everything Trump stands for, every one of his actions and beliefs, are diametrically opposed to these lofty goals:
1) He uses the DOJ to shut down and intimidate his "political enemies" and ICE to intimidate those who dare protest.
2) He uses Christianity as a way to control a significant segment of the population, those who have fallen under the spell of a fascist movement falsely labeled as a religious movement, evangelical Christianity and outrightly condemns Muslims, branding them all terrorists.
3) Ending USAID has resulted in suffering and death for millions everywhere in the world and at home his programs have cut aid to those most in need and transferred wealth to the already obscenely wealthy.
4) His entire regime, his immigration policies and concentration camps, his threatening of other sovereign nations including our NATO allies, his use of tariffs to force other nations to endorse his goals, ICE, and the rejection of due process have created a level of fear throughout the world, a real fear of nuclear annihilation.
Well said. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
This is a beautiful tribute to those who have gone before us and who's ideas, morals, sacrifice, and fortitude should be our guide.
Once again in our history, this is not a time to be an armchair patriot, we must take whatever action we can to rest our country from the grip of fascism and this White Nationalist dogma.
MLK walked his talk, it is time for us to walk out talk. Bless those in the ICE bound areas that are daily walking their talk.
Steve, it’s still only January, and who knows how well I shall persevere with my intention to pick up my 60 year old Bible that I blew the dust off of three weeks ago and to read a verse or chapter first thing each morning, day for a year. That was my intention today, and I did, but not before reading your essay. Your words were still ringing in mind when I read today’s passage from scripture, prescribed for lapsed and spiritually impoverished christians like me everywhere. It seems apt, an excerpt from Matthew 13, a kind of preamble to the parable of the sower:
"But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. Truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it . . . . “
Steve, thank you for your wonderful essay, “The American King”, which I read and received in joy.
And happy Martin Luther King Day to you all!
Well, my friend, you are certainly on a roll with your missives. Reading the words of the great men you mentioned is truly uplifting. I share my birthday with Dr. King with pride and sadness. I remember those years of turmoil from the perspective of a teenager attending a catholic military school. Both of those had a huge impact on the development of the young old man I am today. I remember at one point in my I was envious of people who had holidays on their birthdays. The lesson I learned was, Be careful what you wish for. I was 17.
I hear you Tom, as much as I fought the Jesuits in HS, their impact on my thinking and the life I live today is immeasurable. We moved to Atlanta from Lake Oswego, OR the day I graduated from Jesuit HS in the summer of ‘64, so I had a front row seat at the evolving Civil Rights movement which tested everything I had been taught. The 4 freedoms are attainable if we continue to work for them, maybe not in our lifetimes, or that of our grandchildren, but anything we put our minds to is attainable, who would have ever thought we could fly, and we have been to the moon. 🙏
To the moon and back!!!
Happy birthday, Tom. Wishing you a memorable day. 🌟
Thank you, Steve, for every history lesson and the words that should help us get thru the next many months. We (I) need your Warnings every day to keep us (me) from losing hope. It’s a tough time.
Beautifully written and so important during this terrible time in our country. We have to keep resisting. There is no other choice.
At this point in our history men don't govern, they rule.
I am still searching for the future leaders who can help us find that mountain top
A brilliantly written and timely piece, Steve. My heart breaks for future generations who, out of fear and loathing for those who advanced the dream of freedom, have been erased from history. It is now incumbent on all of us to remember their words and shout them from the mountain.
Kudos to you for this amazing work!!!!
Thank you, Steve! This is one of your very best essays and a reminder that nothing can stop an idea whose time has come.
I leave you with a quote from Horace: Magna est veritas et praevalebit. Mighty is the truth and it will prevail.
Beautiful. May Patriotic Americans stiffen their spines for the fight that lies ahead as surely as night follows day. May we emulate Dr King, embracing that it doesn’t really matter with us now. May we go forward resolutely, fearing nothing and certainly fearing no man or cult. For our eyes have seen America’s glory that was and will be again
Steve, as I read your words here, I can’t help thinking that they and those of the great men you quote are functionally dismissed as quaint drivel by our ruling billionaire class and the corrupt, cynical politicians of both parties they fund. Money hoarders, having purchased a stultifyingly corrupt Supreme Court to assist their elected politicians, may well destroy the nation in which they have so mightily prospered.
A "Catholic" Supreme Court, at that! I wonder what "Bible" they're reading.
They seem fond of Leviticus.