The freedom speech to Russia, never told by an old fool.
I stand here before this great body, let me begin. Tell me what have we done that is so wrong? Tell me, I demand to know! What have we done but try and offer hope to the world through some of the worst of times? Do we not feed, shelter, aid, rebuild, and educate? Do we not offer more than any other nation on this planet to others who need help? Is it not so hard for anyone to understand that so many things we do we do without condition bonded by deed. But we do them simply because we care?
Does this all count for nothing? I’m sorry that in your hour of discontent you feel the way you do. Nevertheless, this is the greatest and most powerful nation on earth, my friends, this condition that allows us to lead, did not come cheap, nor without blood, sweat and tears!
Freedom my friends, may have a cost, and that cost is measured in more than deeds. It is weighed in the hearts of the people that place freedom above all material things. Above all things seen and unseen. But what is freedom when it is handed to you without struggle? It is always a struggle. And we will never sell our liberty to the highest bidder.
Freedom is knowing that the truth contained in the Constitution of the United States of America is a truth that will endure. It’s a truth that embraces all humanity, and will so until the end of time, it will be the last candle of hope to be blown out by the winds of war.
Let me remind this great body assembled before me, of what Roger Williams said. “Having brought truth dear, we must not sell it cheap, not the least grain of it for the whole world.”
Democracy is our truth, freedom is our truth, and we must not sell it cheap regardless of what anyone thinks or says. Some of you have said he wants to change the world. Would I. yes if I could, but I would not change one word in the Constitution, because I know in my heart it is the right course not only for this nation but for all mankind.
It is my belief that someday the world will follow the example of the United States. The vision our founders had of a just nation was the finest hour of democracy. The birth of this nation was a testimony of human triumph over tyranny. Towering oaks of passion and commitment grew from the seeds of failed European powers. And I say this in the loudest voice! The Constitution of the United States of America, was signed, and delivered by men who saw the whole of humanity being reborn through the words of that document. It was drafted for the world to follow. They may have been liberal, but it didn’t take them long to become conservative!
My dear friends, democracy is the eye in mightiest storm that moves men to action. It is not a storm of destruction but a hurricane of hope that will, by its sheer might, ensure that all mankind will endure the test of time. With that said those that say go home, old fool, among this great body, I say kiss my 81-year-old ass.
The Constitution has been amended many times. The amendment process was built in with the statement, "alter or abolish it." To blindly go back to the original signing and the original document, without amendments, would be folly. We've done a lot of growing up since then… Particularly giving former slaves full citizenship, if not access, and women the vote, if not full equality.
If you could talk to the Russian people directly, one-on-one. I believe you would find that they are very much like us and wish for the same things--life, liberty, and the pursuit of happyness. Unfortunately, Russia has been ruled by thugs for so long that it is very hard without another revolution, for the ordinary people to prevail.
I believe you are saying to our citizens with your article that we must not fall into the assumption that thugs will make us better or greater than we already are. Hitler made Germans feel like they were far superior than anyone in the world for a time… It backfired.
Ron