Straight From The Shoulder

Resisting the Death-Knell of the Republic

“The death-knell of the republic had rung as soon as the active power became lodged in the hands of those who sought, not to do justice to all citizens, rich and poor alike, but to stand for one special class and for its interests as opposed to the interests of others.”

~Theodore Roosevelt
Labor Day speech at Syracuse, NY, Sept 7, 1903
26th president of US (1858 - 1919)

This Labor Day weekend I have received a much needed recharge from two events. The first was the courageous, passionate, fact-based welcome speech by Salt Lake City mayor, Rocky Anderson to Dubya Gump. And the second, MSNBC's Countdown host Keith Olbermann's commentary on Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's condemnation of thoughtful dissent saying those against the policies of the Bush administration and the Iraq Occupation are "morally and intellectually confused." Der Rumsfeld- füehrer then tried to egregiously compare loyal opposition with Fascist sympathizing. Mayor Anderson's speech and Mr. Olbermann's rebuttal revived me like rushes of cooling, super oxygenating air on a stifling hot day. For those of us working everyday to change, improve, replace, or eliminate the injustices and threats to our democracy that assault our sensibilities from every angle, adult daily living takes on an additional burden. The knowledge we must carry within us to fight the power causing these injustices takes a heavy toll on our peace of mind. We've gone beyond casual observer status or even interested partisan. We've become activists because we give a damn . . . and we're pissed! [...]

So, I am encouraged and grateful to Mayor Anderson and Keith Olbermann for their courage and intelligence to do what all of us must do every day, speak truth to power. They didn't just lay out the facts of the crimes and assaults on our sensibilities by this Bush crime family on our democracy. They painted pictures of the real and increasing danger by these neocon, Republican, Christocrats and the very reasons why we must not let these outlaws in office continue to abscond with our country . . . with our nations very lifeblood. If you haven't already drunk deep from the refreshing waters of their healing words, you owe this respite to yourself.

Every now and then you have to reiterate the dream. You have to remember why you are in the fight, why your sacrifice, struggle, and commitment were called upon in the first place; why you were called to service. [...] We must all guard against burnout. Which is why, every now and then, it's good to hear words to help us sustain the fight.

Most Americans now know that the active power in America has become the property of a handful of deranged criminals who are not interested in the good of all citizens, but only interested in their special class of robber barons. Taking President Roosevelt's warning to heart, we fight to prevent our ever hearing the death-knell of our Republic.

-- Michael Shelby – Straight from the Shoulder