Americans can be dangerous. Sometimes, in the exercise of their rights and freedoms, they can get carried away and lose all perspective.
In politics, for instance, the freedom to speak out does not constrain people like retired Gen. Wesley Clark from trying to diminish the military record of Sen. John McCain.
The freedom to espouse one’s religion allows a legislator like Daryl Metcalfe of Cranberry to be uncharitable in remarks about members of a faith that is not his own. (Last month he opposed a House resolution commending a Muslim group because they “do not recognize Jesus Christ as God.”)
The right to vote in a safe and open election remains a dream for millions of people in places like Zimbabwe and Myanmar, but too many Americans ignore Election Day and indulge in the cynicism that candidates are all alike. Anybody want to replay Nov. 7, 2000?
All of this says something important on the Fourth of July — that how we exercise our rights reveals as much about us as Americans as the mere fact that we have them. It also says, on this most patriotic of days, that there is more to consider than freedom and liberty.
From the whole piece: In politics, for instance, the freedom to speak out does not constrain people like retired Gen. Wesley Clark from trying to diminish the military record of Sen. John McCain.
This is disinformation. Clark diminished Senator McCain’s ability to be Commander-in-Chief. He did not diminish the military record of Senator McCain. He suggested that qualities of judgment were more important than being shot down and being held as a prisoner of war when we decide who to vote for next November.
Actually, while I disliked Nov 7, 2000, I think it showed how committed the US is to peaceful transfer of power. While both sides accused the other of “stealing” the election or attempting to steal the election, neither side threatened violence let alone resorted to it. At no time was the National Guard or Police or Army called out to keep or restore order in Florida.
Americans don’t really know how good we have it politically.
YBIC,
Phil Snyder
As an admirer of my fellow alum Sen. McCain, I nevertheless concur with the distinction in #1. Frankly, I believe even Sen. McCain has said as much, at least indirectly.
But I would remind Gen. Clark of his excellent 2004 essay, in which he lamented the growing loss of civil discourse in the US. A wiser man would have simply noted that Sen McCain never held any broad command or international post, rather than saying something that could easily be construed as attacking the service of a POW.