Another Sunday's Reflection

I made a comment at the end of my last post that Gayle indicated should be a post in and of itself; I thought: why not? The cat's been interfering with my posting recently (as well as Blogger itself -- anyone else finding Blogger "twitchy" this past week?), so I cut and pasted quickly before Mose sent me to an entirely different website. Here goes:

Folks: thank you ALL for commenting, and thank you all for the kind words! Thank you for linking this post to your blogs and, thank you Revka, for your comment about the importance of the post and its ability or our abilities to change hearts and minds.

I had no idea things would go this way when I began blogging. First it was simply kinda fun. Then it got bigger and bigger and I realized, likely as does AJ, that along with being an escape valve when necessary, it can also help me to understand what I'm thinking -- and has helped to solidify and, more importantly, CLARIFY my beliefs and views.

I started out "big" on the GOP when I began to blog; now I'm more cognizant of my conservative bent and my allegiance to the overall values of "conservatism" than to a party itself -- and, to a degree, how libertarianism sneaks into my wrinkled brain.

AJ makes an excellent point about blame and about solutions. And at this point, that is the greatest difference between Conservatives and Liberals, GOP and Dems. The liberals and Dems are so quick to point, peck and burn. But where are THEIR solutions? THEIR in-depth plans? It is always, ALWAYS so much easier to follow than to lead.

The Japanese have a saying we should embrace: "Fix the problem, not the blame."

This Republic is not perfect nor will it ever be. But in terms of a Great Experiment it is a functioning wonder; we cannot ever give up on the values that created this nation -- why else is she so loved and hated?

Why else would people risk their lives to come here?

Why else would people try to bring down her achievements?

People hate what they fear and, vapid and empty, at night, alone with their own sordid thoughts, it is always easier to tear down than to build, to destroy rather than create, to let the fears overtake common sense.

We face enemies on many fronts today.

Our nation is assailed from within and from without. We must all, individually, do our best to ensure her continued survival.

We must continue to embrace the values we know are right: honesty, loyalty, bravery, strength, judgment, courage.

We must pledge our allegiance, every day, to this Great Experiment -- because it is STILL the FINEST nation on the planet.

BZ