Before the rhetoric starts in earnest; Let's us take a little of our time, to reflect and give thanks for the Nation we live in, for any Nation, where its' people have free speech, the right to vote, where we do not have to worry about a night visit that causes friends and family to disappear. Where we do not have to worry about being pulled off the streets for voting the wrong way. Or worshipping or not worshipping as we chose. And think on the millions of known and unkown who have suffered, even to the ultimate of being murdered for their views, or color, or religion, or heritage. . .
A member of the Human Rights Madres de Plaza de Mayo looks at the pictures of people who disappeared during Argentina's 1976-83 military dictatorship, during the inauguration of Buenos Aires' Memorial Park November 7, 2007. An Argentine government report estimates that around 11,000 people either died or disappeared during a crackdown by the military to wipe out suspected dissidents during the dictatorship, although human rights groups say the number is closer to 30,000. from Rueters News Service
The executed were buried in mass graves at Choeung Ek. Some were required to dig their own graves but they were unable to dig very deep due to their weaken physical state. from SqueakyMarmot's blog, Cambodia during the regime of Pol Pot.
Nora Cortinaz, the leader of the human rights group Madres de Plaza de Mayo (Mothers of the Disappeared), {Doesn't this translate closer to: Mothers of the Square of May? Would appreciate any input.--JohoOh} stands in front of a wall with the names of people who disappeared during Argentina's 1976-83 military dictatorship, as she visits Buenos Aires' Memorial Park to commemorate the International Day of the Disappeared August 30, 2007. An Argentine government report estimates that around 11,000 people either died or disappeared during a crackdown by the military to wipe out suspected dissidents during the dictatorship, although human rights groups say the number is closer to 30,000.
Yes, we are indeed lucky that we can come on to Multiply and debate our views without worry about the consequences. Or go stand in the middle of the streets and shout insults about our president, or burn the flag, or march in protest of our government if so choose. Or live as a Christian, an atheist, a Muslim, a Hindu, Buddhist, a pagan, a witch, whatever......without fear. We can moan and groan about our president, we can even impeach one!
ReplyDeleteHow many countries can say the same? Very few, unfortunately.
Yes indeed, we need to remember why we have these privileges and not throw it away by becoming indifferent to how our country operates, by not voting, by declaring that it 'won't matter anyway'. I daresay our forefathers never said "it won't matter anyway".......
Good post Dr.O.....what a country...USA USA USA
ReplyDeleteWell done John..... So many times I feel we are expected to feel not so proud of our country...I'm always glad to be an american not because I agree with all that goes on here but in great part because I don't have to agree with everything that goes on...and I don't have to hide how I feel....you've put it right into perspective.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reminding us, how close in time and geography some of these tragedies are. We tend to try and put these in nice neat packages in NAZI Germany, or the former Soviet Union.
ReplyDeleteWe tend to forget that in South, Central and Latin American and even closer, Mexico these kind of things happen all too often.
By the way, nice choice using Mozart's Requiem Mass. Very appropriate.
I have often wondered why I ended up being born in America. It could have just as easily been anywhere else, even the places you mention. I am blessed beyond measure.
ReplyDeletePengy this one brings back way to many memories for the Gator> I spent from 79 to 84 working in C.A. and S.A. courtesy of Uncle Sam...I think Mark mentioned the goings on in these areas folks have very little clue as the hell that goes on down there..
ReplyDeleteHUGS....for Gator....for doing his part....and being strong enough to come thru.
ReplyDeletety cherie..was a turbulent time then
ReplyDeleteinformative and moving post John...
ReplyDeleteA very true blog John. I also feel blessed to have been born in Holland, free to speak my mind and live the life of my choice. It's good to take a moment (many moments) to realise that it is not a given to be born in such freedom.
ReplyDeleteVery greatful for the nation we live in...
ReplyDeleteThank you John! Sometimes people loose sight of the fact we have a lot to be grateful in this country
ReplyDeleteGood blog John...sometimes hard to see..but it seems some need to be reminded whats out there...to fear, and to fight against....good blog buddy........
ReplyDeleteVery moving reminder.
ReplyDeleteI do not always agree with things in our country. But that is the beauty of it. I can disagree and not fear. I can be part of trying to make any wrongs right.
There was a popular slogan from the 60s which was almost always misquoted. I don't mean disrespect to anyone if they are offended by it. Look deeper into it.
"My country, right or wrong."
What was almost always forgotten was the second half.
"If it is right, keep it right.
If it is wrong, make it right."
The point is...we have the opportunity to right any wrongs, to keep what is right about it safe.
Cause to thanks, cause for thought, excelent post!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful right to the music...
ReplyDeleteOne of your many wonderful thoughts.
We are so Blessed! More than we sometimes know!!!!
So true Daisy!!
ReplyDelete"My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.” Sen. Carl Schurz in 1872.
He is an interesting character: http://www.bartleby.com/65/sc/Schurz-C.html
So true Daisy!!
ReplyDelete"My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.” Sen. Carl Schurz in 1872.
He is an interesting character: http://www.bartleby.com/65/sc/Schurz-C.html
I always love these posts John. You do them so well. It makes us all think, remember and maybe pique our consious a bit.
ReplyDeleteWe certainly are lucky John. There are some terrible things that happen around the world in the name of "freedom".
ReplyDeleteSorry I haven't been on my computer for days and thought I would pop in for a while before I go to bed.
Ah John... what a refreshing change from all the pro/against election blogs. It is so good to see a blog where pride in your country is shown again. The problem with freedom is that, I think, it makes folk forget what lack of freedom is about. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteHei John
ReplyDeleteA very poignant entry on these matters of basic freedom.
Keep so safe and grand. :)))
P.S.
Even in the west we are not as free as we think...
BB - Big Bro has tabs on us all and very much knows who is who and what is what but chooses to remain candid about his knowledge, so far...
The reason that "las Madres de La Plaza de Mayo" are called that is because they march at a square in Buenos Aires called "La Plaza de Mayo". We call them the Mothers of the Disappeared because they are the mothers of people who have disappeared, but its not a direct translation. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing the numbers tattooed on the wrist of the lady where as a child I would be sent to buy bread, one can only wonder at the horrors she had witnessed or been put through.
ReplyDeleteI too like Cheriberi have often wondered about where I was born and what it would have been like to have been born in any other place in the world, it is a stroke of luck and I am so thankful for it . I just wonder that if ever at one point in time that our world will ever change for the good , it is a dream or it would be a mifacle that good would take over wrong.
Wonderful post you have done here :)
* miracle ...........time for me to start wearing my glasses again
ReplyDelete