The republic’s 250th anniversary is upon us. Preparations have been underway for years, and predictably we see and hear exhortations for national unity. As in, “We’re all Americans.”
Not to toss a grenade in the swimming pool,
But
It’s not true
and
it never has been.
There’s an elitist element in the country that, in the words of former Homeland Security Secretary Tulsi Gabbard, “assumes that it knows what’s best for the rest of us and hates America and what it stands for.”
According to a current polling, 29 to 45 percent of Democrats are proud of America to any degree. Gallup’s Democrat “extremely proud” figure runs 14 percent versus 70 percent of Republicans and 28 percent of independents.
It’s not new. I’m old enough to remember when Democrats—who started it--routinely committed the constitutional definition of treason during the Vietnam War (read Article III, Section 3 of the Owner’s Manual).
For perspective, we’ve been here before, except that previously we shot at each other, although some current leftists desire just that. (Democrat politicians and voters advocate, “Kill a Republican.” Donald Trump has personal knowledge of that fact.)
A few examples:
In 1963 a former Marine and practicing Marxist assassinated President John F. Kennedy.
In 2017 Rep. Steve Scalise’s attempted murderer had “a history of anti-republican social media posts who targeted the lawmakers based on their political affiliation.” (AI passage)
In quick summary, to quote a police friend, “You’re not paranoid when they say they’re out to get you.”
Meanwhile, I’ll offer some family context.
The Revolutionary War was a civil war. It divided families, communities, and states. In 1781 one of my paternal ancestors was the aide who took General Washington’s victory message from Yorktown to Congress in Philadelphia. But Lieutenant Colonel Tench Tilghman’s father was a loyalist and a brother became a Royal Navy officer.
Over six years previously two of my mother’s ancestors commanded the militias at Lexington and Concord--Captain John Parker and Colonel James Barrett. My mother had a cousin named Parker Barrett.
Eighty-five years later families and the nation split again. During the (second) Civil War the Barretts hailed from Maine but the Tillmans--largely from the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia--went for the Confederacy by eight to one. However, at least four of my father’s family died to free the slaves and/or preserve the union (Abe Lincoln varied on those points.) One of those who wore the blue was a white officer riding with Colored Troops, U.S. Cavalry.
Nearly 700,000 of us--who were all Americans--killed one another in four years. That might be instructive especially because the population merely was 31 million—about 300 million less than today.
My Perspective
I was born on the edge of flyover country nearly 300 miles inland from the Pacific coast. Chronologically in the first half of the previous century, a demographic that makes me a Baby Boomer with about 75 million others.
My mother’s family had raised sheep; my father raised cattle, among other creatures including bison. Both sides produced wheat and peas, so I grew up living to nature’s calendar of planting, fertilizing, and reaping. During harvest, 10-hour days were ordinary; 14 were not unusual. As Dad always said, he was a professional gambler, betting on the weather.
When I was born 70 percent of the population still was rural. Today it’s around 20 percent but that portion of the population is not going to accept the Democratic Socialist plan to abolish private property. For any liberals who care to inform themselves rather than defaulting to emotional orthodoxy, check the Soviet record on that account.
But go ahead, take your time. It’s only been about 85 years since Stalin’s forced collectivization.
That’s the trouble with democracy. Ignorant idiots get to vote.
Eagle’s Perspective
For a typical view among my treasured friends is Captain Lonny McClung, a retired naval aviator who in his 80s has flown 16,000+ hours. He held four aviation commands including two fighter squadrons and Topgun, graduated Test Pilot School, logged over 1,000 carrier landings and 200+ combat missions. He continued flying as a civilian, including an around-the-world “race” in a seaplane.
“Eagle” McClung speaks for thousands of others:
“My 250 thoughts center on the greatness of this country and the cost of the freedom and liberty that we enjoy in this wonderful land. In America, you are free to follow your dreams. Over the years the number of patriots who have given their lives for our liberty in combat is a seven-digit number. Many more suffered life changing wounds and injuries. I am well aware of that cost--my father died in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 when I was barely age five. My early formative years were spent without him. Thankfully, my Mom remarried five years later and a wonderful stepdad steered me in the right direction. I very much needed a firm hand and he lovingly provided same.
“I was exposed to the risk and cost of combat in my 30-year USN career. I lost some squadron mates and really good friends, but I would do it all again if given the chance. The current experience of the World Cup has exposed countless international visitors to how wonderful this country is, the freedom we enjoy, and why I love it so much.
“The beauty of this country is twofold. The freedom to do what you want to do, and the natural beauty of the rolling hills and cities coast to coast. God has had His hand on this land from the beginning and blessed us beyond measure. As long as we acknowledge and follow Him, we will continue to remain that ‘shining city on the hill’ for the rest of the world, and we will record another 250.”
