The Wonderful World of Freedom and it's Sacrifices

My friend Betsy is remarkable in her conservatism, words, faith and memory. I will share a few of her thoughts as it pertains to America today and Americans of distinction past and present. She tells me that another memory makes for these thoughts today, November 6 after reports came on TV November 5, 2016 that Trump was rushed off stage by security at a rally – CNN reports “the man arrested for trying to disarm a police officer inside a Donald Trump rally in Las Vegas Saturday told authorities he intended to use the gun “to kill Trump.” According to a new criminal complaint.” 

Now back to June 8, 1968. That was the date Betsy was to give an outgoing speech as President of the Junior Woman’s Club for which she had served the previous year.  The theme throughout the year had been “Born Free”.  She had her speech prepared for delivery. At the last minute, however, Betsy completely rewrote what she would say because Robert F. Kennedy had been assassinated and June 8, was the day of his burial. This evening we will read a few lines from this speech in this post. “Mourning is not enough.  When men give their lives in an effort for you and me to live in a democracy, it seems a little hypocritical to me to only mourn – and then hope it will not happen again. When a man gives his life for freedom’s sake, then men and women who want this freedom must take up the fight – or with his death so dies our freedom….In a free society we protect minority groups….but unless the minority is willing to let the majority, through vote at the ballot box, decide the destiny of our country, without continuing violence then we must insist the laws that govern free people be enforced….Through sorrow a family grows closer – so let it be at this time that our fellow brothers and sisters throughout all our fifty states unite to condemn the violence – but support peaceful protests.” 

Other assassinations or attempted assassinations of American Leaders that have occurred before or since that speech. On June 12, 1963, Medgar Evers was killed. In the driveway outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi, African American civil rights leader. Shortly after noon on November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as he rode in a motor cade through Daily Plaza in downtown Dallas, Texas. At 6:05 P.M. on Thursday April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King was shot dead while standing on a balcony outside his second-floor room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. The attempted assassination of United States President Ronald Reagan occurred on March 30, 1981, 69 days into his presidency. And now, November 5, 2016 another threat – our Republican Presidential Candidate, Donald Trump, just three days before ballots were cast to decide the next president of the United States, was rushed off stage by Secret Service because of a threat to him.

“I will add to the speech of years ago: We have mourned, remembered and gone on with our daily lives.  Now, I fear, not only to individuals, but threats to our country are possible.  It is for this reason that the vote on November 8 is so very important.” Peaceful demonstrations, which I support, should be just that -- peaceful.  At demonstrations, if and when a crime occurs, in my opinion, the event changes from a demonstration and turns into a crime scene and must be dealt with promptly and effectively.  Demonstrators committing these crimes should be treated as criminals – not demonstrators.  All law enforcement officers from the military to the patrol officers from the precinct should have the full authority and the backing of the United States Government to arrest the criminals, thus doing their sworn duty to protect the lives and property of law abiding citizens.  Charges should be made and the Judicial System determine what/or if punishment of the accused.” 

While accepting the Republican nomination for the Presidency Donald Trump told the crowd gathered at the convention in Cleveland, Ohio -- that his administration would be focused on law and order.

My vote on November 8 will be for Mr. Trump – the outsider, who has no obligation to lobbyist, political friends or financial donors from America or Foreign Countries.  I want the corruption cleared out of Washington, DC and the United States of America put back into the hands of American Citizens.

Betsy closed her 1968 speech with this poem. The words are just as important and meaningful today as in 1968: 

When God began to make His plan For man to live on every land I’m so glad he chose for me America – a land that’s  free.

I am an American who’s proud To raise our flag and shout aloud You represent God’s gift to me A country where we are “Born Free.”

I’m glad our flag waves overhead Above brave men who have said, I’ll give my life, if that need be That al American’s will be “Born Free’.”

And for all people everywhere I’ll say a very special prayer That someday soon, you too will be Where all your children can be “Born Free”.

Betsy’s closing sentence:

And if and when our prayers are come to pass – then justly we will have earned our right to say we belong to “The Wonderful World of Freedom”.