Now, more than at any time during my adult lifetime is a time when I sincerely believe it is of paramount importance that we as Canadians and Americans heed the words of Dr King as quoted above. Our countries are inextricably tied by bonds which are strong and of a permanent nature and the direction taken by one ultimately affects both. Differences exist but our fundamental values and principles are for the most part identical. 

Listening, reading, and witnessing the tone of the rhetoric, and the actions taken by governments of freedom loving countries in the past year, all justified as being in the name of defense of freedom and democracy  make it blatantly obvious that it is essential that each of us be concerned that in defense of that liberty we, by our silent  acquiescence, are allowing ill advised and dangerous precedents to be set which threaten the  very principles we, and they, would protect.

 Our forefathers expected better from us. They built our countries under very trying circumstances so that we would have the right to live in freedom and with the values and principles which they  came to this continent seeking and which they struggled to make our legacy. We owe it to them as well as to our children and grandchildren that we cherish those rights as their memory dictates. That includes speaking up when we see those values being threatened by anyone.

 It is incumbent upon every one of us that we not remain silent and in doing so give support to actions which are contrary to everything  for which our countries stand ... and for which many of our countrymen and women have fought and died in conflicts around the world throughout the history of our countries.

National readiness can be accomplished in ways that are helpful or harmful to our freedom. Many years ago Nazi Germany claimed to be seeking those ends and achieved their goals with substantial success, but in a way that  completely enslaved the German people. Our  defense against terrorism and those who would destroy our way of life must be achieved in a way that will  strengthen liberty, not destroy it.

Each day it seems there is further encroachment on, and repression of, personal liberties set in motion as well meaning but perhaps over zealous legislators and leaders  pass new more stringent laws or revoke existing safeguards against  actions which  compromise the basic rights of a free people. The end result of which will most assuredly be ultimately  repressing the rights of the individual. 

 The problem is , once ratified into law these so called temporary measures stand a very good chance of becoming  permanent fixtures in our society. A society which will be radically different from that which we hold dear. A society which has always  believed in equality and the rights of all as stated in our respective constitutions and charters.

 Already there have been seriously troubling occurrences where  citizen's rights have been unjustifiably withheld without sufficient evidence to justify such actions. This simply must not happen in a free society such as ours. If the price of protecting freedom is "Freedom" itself , then the price paid sullies the very values we hold to be so precious ... AND those who would destroy us will have won. 

If we sit idly by as these changes take place it is not just  the present generation who will be the losers it is the generations to come who may never know what democracy is meant to be. There are so many warnings in history of the need for vigilance. Such as ...

All recognized as extremely intelligent  men who loved freedom and all with the foresight to  leave words of warning for future generations to heed. We must not ignore these warnings ! To do so would be abysmally irresponsible.

 There is another quote which should perhaps be cited here.. this one is from the time of Nazi Germany ...

"First they went after the Communists, and I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. Then they went after the homosexuals and infirm, and I did not stand up, because I was neither. Then they went after the Jews, and I did not stand up, because I was not a Jew. Then they went after the Catholics,  and I did not stand up, because I was Protestant. Finally, they came after me  and there was no one left to stand up for me."
                                    - Pastor Martin Neimoller

 I am not suggesting that our leaders do not love freedom and equality. I am suggesting that in their zeal to protect  those values they have neglected to take into account that  the measures they are now confirming into law with the intent that they be temporary measures may well still be law when they are no longer in power and any threat from outside our borders is long since past. When they are no longer the leaders in power and in a position to ask for the repeal of these temporary measures there could well be those who will take advantage of  their compromises made in freedom's name  . Precedent is a basic legal argument and very difficult to reverse. Once these measures are law  they become the law of our countries and are not so easily erased.  If we allow the erosion of our liberty  and basic rights  our children will inherit  a very much diluted form of  democracy. One which could well have very little value for freedom loving people. 

We have a responsibility to make our voices heard and to stand up in defense of  the treasure handed down to us by inheritance and with the faith and trust that we would always preserve and protect that priceless legacy. To not do so is to negate every value and principle  for which our countries stand and to steal from our children and our children's children the precious legacy which is rightfully theirs.

 
 

 

 

My sincere thanks to Margi Harrell for  the use of this beautiful MIDI "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" 
   You will find several of this very talented pianist's CD's available  for sale on her site.