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Twain's Thanksgiving
By Roy D. Follendore III
Copyright (c) 2001 by RDFollendoreIII
November 22, 2001
Today is a day for each of us to give
thanks. I am thankful. I am thankful that I have food to eat and
shelter over the head of my family. I am thankful that America still
exists. I am thankful of the news that America has overturned an evil regime
in Afghanistan.
But an individual that can only see a glass
half full can not fully expect to be as thankful next season. Yes, today
is a day for giving thanks but it is also an appropriate season to express
concern.
I am concerned by what can not be found in the
news. I am concerned that the concept of patriotism is once again being
abused, and no one else seems concerned. I am troubled by the lack of
public outcry and protests about the loss of freedom. I am concerned that
our great country has lost a sense balance. I am concerned that the
balance has now has shifted too far. I am concerned that too few Americans
understand that to be a patriot, you must first be a good citizen. I am
concerned that the basic idea of citizenship has eluded Americans in favor of
public opinion.
I am reminded of a great American citizen who
once wrote...
"Citizenship? We have none! In place of
it we teach patriotism which Samuel Johnson said a hundred and forty or a
hundred and fifty years ago was the last refuge of the scoundrel -- and I
believe that he was right. I remember when I was a boy I heard repeated and
repeated time and time again the phrase, 'My country, right or wrong, my
country!' How absolutely absurd is such an idea. How absolutely absurd to teach
this idea to the youth of the country.
In the public schools we teach our children to
salute the flag, and this is our idea of instilling in them patriotism. And this
so-called patriotism we mistake for citizenship; but if there is a stain on that
flag it ought not to be honored, even if it is our flag. The true citizenship is
to protect the flag from dishonor -- to make it the emblem of a nation that is
known to all nations as true and honest and honorable. And we should forever
forget that old phrase -- 'My country, right or wrong, my country!'
We say we have public opinion in America. We
have none. We only think second hand. How many of us are there to-day who know
whether it is better for the country to have a tariff or free trade? The only
opinions most of us have on this subject are the opinions derived second hand
from certain men who seek to influence us to their way of thinking, and their
way of thinking is generally in a direction that will subserve their own private
ends or the ends of the party which they represent. So, you see, we have no
citizenship, and our so-called patriotism is a patriotism that is employed for
the benefit of political parties and is made a party cry." By Mark
Twain
It has been 100 years since you wrote the
above three paragraphs, Mr.
Twain. It is remarkable that the issues are exactly the same and the truth
endures. Let us all be thankful that someone spoke the truth.
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