Tom Lindley’s Post

I believe in the United States of America, as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies https://lnkd.in/gsFRwwNt

A government official receives money. In turn, he ensures certain gains to the giver at the expense of the public he’s supposed to serve, or against their interest and will. What would you call this scheme? Do the words bribery and corruption come to mind? Surprisingly, this scenario is fair game in US politics under the name of interest groups. Take AIPAC for example. They fund the elections of politicians who are blindly in favor of unconditional US support to Israel. They fund the opponents of those who voice some criticism of Israel policies. The elected officials in turn help keep tax payers’ funds flowing to Israel with no strings attached, and regardless of the public opinion. I am aware of the notion from the founding fathers about absolute democracy, the way we understand it now. The notion that it is akin to mob rule, and that a buffer comprised of the elites is needed. But it has lead to perpetuating wars that benefits the weapons industry with no regard to morality, or even the US strategic benefit. Congress is the main branch that the public directly chooses. It should not be manipulated in such manner.

Freedom stands as the bedrock of our community, a treasured privilege that enables us to share our ideas, convictions, and hopes. It forms the base of our existence, fostering the exchange of impactful conversations and the pursuit of our ambitions. In this era of transformation, it’s imperative to maintain the tenets of liberty for all, safeguarding the universal right to voice opinions. We should Together, let’s commit to mutual support, empathetic listening, and dialogues that motivate and uplift. In doing so, we pay tribute to the essence of freedom and work towards a society where every individual’s voice is heard, every creed is esteemed, and freedom transcends from an aspiration to an everyday reality for everyone. The message of freedom of speech is designed to be respectful and uplifting, emphasizing the global significance of liberty and the critical role of open communication within a varied community. It consciously steers clear of explicit political discourse, opting for a tone of diplomacy throughout. The mention of President Biden and the issue of free speech on campus appears to be a specific concern. While addressing such problems is essential, it’s equally vital to ensure that discussions remain constructive and focused on freedom and open dialogue.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Jubilee Day, is a federal holiday that commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas on June 19, 1865. Although the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, it took more than two years for the news to reach Texas, which was still under Confederate control during the Civil War! Learn more about the history here: https://loom.ly/zEIygxA

Hi LinkedIn! I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend! If you're a history buff, you'll find this interesting... Harford County, where I'm from in Maryland penned our country's first Declaration of Independence known as the Bush Declaration. This was in March 1775, to document their support of Boston and opposition to British control. The Bush Declaration contributed to the format and premise of the well-known United States Declaration of Independence that we celebrate every July 4th. Freedom is never quite free, as noted by the ending statement of the declaration, "At the risque of our lives and fortunes." More can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eavnmegs

America's Constitutional Sacrament — A Time for Reflection Does America fully employ and develop available talent, including that of allies and partners? What obstacles or shackles might we remove? How can we make the American world greater than ever? Every leap year, America reflects and institutes a constitutional sacrament as The People renew their government’s lease of legitimacy or transfer power for the next chapter of the American Dream. (Written for my American friends, as a friend of the United States, and for all who toil in obscurity for freedom and justice!) Link to external blog post with full text of article: https://lnkd.in/edS2BDp3

I don’t mean to be Negative Nancy, but someone has to say it. The blog I wrote reflects a critical perspective on contemporary American society and politics, framed through the principles of the Declaration of Independence. It suggests that the foundational ideals of equality, government by consent, the right to alter or abolish government, natural rights, and the indictment of tyranny are being undermined or forgotten. There, I express my disappointment in how these principles are currently interpreted and applied, particularly criticizing the influence of wealth in politics, recent Supreme Court decisions, and the behavior and policies of Donald Trump (referred to as "Orange Man"). The piece argues that modern America has strayed from its foundational values, emphasizing the importance of intellectual honesty and civic responsibilities in shaping the future of the country. @followers @highlight I’ll also plug my novel, #thelastindependenceday. If there was ever a time to read it to get one version of unchecked extremism, this would be it.

I know exactly where I was twenty years ago to this day. I was huddled in front of the tv set with my mom in Santa Monica, California, curious to see for myself a young state senator from Illinois whose name had started to ripple through Democratic circles: Barack Obama. Obama stepped onto the stage of the 2004 Democratic National Convention as a completely unknown quantity. Most Americans can’t name their own U.S. senators, much less their state senators, and certainly not state senators from across the country. Nor was Obama running in a competitive Senate race that would have merited closer attention: he was cruising to victory in reliably Democratic Illinois. In short, almost no one knew or much cared who this guy was. What happened next is the closest thing to a political lightning bolt I’ve ever witnessed. In the span of 20 minutes, Obama didn’t just deliver a speech so steeped in the American mythos, so forceful in its moral clarity that it will rank in history alongside Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and MLK’s “I Have a Dream” speech; he transformed before our very eyes from a nobody into an inevitability: the First Black President. Do yourself a favor and watch the speech in full: https://lnkd.in/e8uBaZrZ It’s an absolute masterclass in political oratory, every sentence sculpted to perfection, every syllable enunciated for maximal effect. With so few words, he accomplishes so much. In a post-9/11 era, when Republicans seemed to hold a monopoly on the very definition of what it means to be American, Obama recast American values and virtues in the country’s liberal tradition, and offered a compelling vision for how to translate these into policy. After the invasion of Iraq, when any criticism of the Bush administration was construed as unpatriotic, he reminded Americans that reverence for the military is best shown through an aversion to war. America as the land of opportunity; America as a beacon of freedom to the world; America not just as a place, but as an ideal - it’s all there. All the glorious and sometimes gauzy clichés that Americans love to wrap themselves in, Obama manages both to celebrate them and to hold them up as a mirror in which to have an honest look at ourselves - a delicate balance between an invocation of American exceptionalism and a collective exhortation: “We have more work to do.” Of course, there’s another reason why Obama’s speech is worth rewatching today. It’s a reminder that however bleak our present moment may seem - for we are still very much living in the Age of Trump - an Obama-like juggernaut, yet unknown and unforeseen, could strike at any moment and shift our political trajectory. As I did in 2004, I view the upcoming election with fearful trepidation, but I also believe, then as now, in the hopeful crescendo with which Obama concludes his speech, that “This country will reclaim its promise, and out of this long political darkness, a brighter day will come.”

The world needs fresh ideas and a new type of politics and politicians, representing mankind as a whole and each of us as equals instead of fragmented political interests! We have to grow together in order to urgently address the issues that impact all of us like conflict, climate change, inequality and forced migration together. This we can only do without any dominance, as equals. Collectively in Solidarity. www.convergence.ngo & www.pax.ngo