SEEING
"That we might see, that we might see Christ, is the desire of God for every eye. What we see now may be like trees walking, though the Spirit is willing to open us up to further sight, and Christ remains to offer us more. As if pleased to answer his own question with lavish mystery, the divine reply comes again and again: No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him." Jill Carattini, Slice of Infinity
WHO ARE WE?
"Who are we?” “What are we here for?” These are some of the most fundamental questions of our lives. And they can lead to a bit of a crisis these days, as there is so much uncertainty. Those questions are about more than each one of us as an individual. As statues are being torn down, the question of who we are as Americans is one that we have to consider — even if an election year could just be the worst of times for sober yet urgent reflection of any kind, never mind of the existential variety." Kathryn Jean Lopez, National Review Online, 7/6CHANGE
"If you want people to change, you have to make them want to change. Advocates of cancel culture have only a few moves — mostly demonization and intimidation — and seem to relish turning everything into a contest of wills and basking in their moral superiority over those who disagree. I doubt it ever crossed their minds to try to make those who initially disagree want to rename existing military bases, public squares, and other landmarks." Jim Geraghty, NRO, 7/6
AMERICA
"We’ve lived through six weeks of hate, chaos, destruction, and demonstrative insurrection by the BLM-Antifa alliance. And this psychotic turmoil followed three months of coronavirus scare-mongering that held us hostage inside our homes. Many of us remain restricted by authoritarian governors to this day, leftist leaders who are indiscriminately criminalizing behaviors of the healthy instead of quarantining the sick.
"Having spent this 4th of July with wonderful American patriots (who disagree politically, by the way, but remain strong patriots nonetheless), it made me long for those classic American summers: kids playing outside, summer parades and fairs, going to the beach, seeing happy people all around us, enjoying outdoor restaurant dining, traveling cross country, etc. Waking up on Sunday morning after a perfect 4th of July, I had only these words on my mind: I want my America back.
"My America is a free country with endless opportunities for all. My America is made up of people who respect our great nation and see how unique it is amongst all others. My America is a nation that respects law and order, for without it, capitalism cannot survive. My America respects police officers and thanks officers for taking risks to protect all Americans from crime." Marina Medvin, Townhall, 7/6
THE CONFEDERACY
"The most common reason cited for why patriotic Americans should avoid glamorizing the Confederacy is also the most obvious and compelling one: The Confederate States of America were traitors to the United States. Yes, they were pardoned after the war in the interest of reuniting the Union, but the definition of treason has not changed. They got lucky: they were not tried for sedition, but they could have been . . .
"But slavery and the short-lived Confederate States of America aren’t sources of pride, nor do they need to be honored. It’s time to throw the Confederate flag on the ash heap of history—not because the flag is “politically incorrect,” but the battle flag of a country that no longer exists, representing people who so disliked the United States that they seceded and attempted to start something better. It’s hard to wave a Confederate flag and call yourself an American patriot." Ashley Herzog, Townhall, 7/6
MT. RUSHMORE
"It would be difficult to get a more textbook expression of the American civic religion than the speech at Rushmore. It would be difficult to get a more wide-ranging appreciation of the warriors, inventors, adventurers, reformers, entertainers, and athletes who have made the country what it is. It’d be difficult to get a more affirming account of the greatness of America and its meaning to the world. And, yet, the speech was tested and found wanting.
"Trump’s attacks on what he called “a new far-left fascism” and a cultural revolution “designed to overthrow the American Revolution” were indeed hard-edged, but who can doubt the basic truth of the claims? . . .
"Critics of the speech objected to what they said was its wildly exaggerated account of the stakes in the culture war — and at the same time, they vindicated that account by equating patriotism with white supremacy." Rich Lowry, NRO, 7/7
PROTESTS & CORONAVIRUS
"Officials in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Miami-Dade County, Fla., have acknowledged that anti-police protests and riots may have led to increased spread of the coronavirus, according to a Fox News report.
"All three cities have experienced an uptick in coronavirus cases after weeks of protesting sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody. Many Democrats and public-health professionals alike had voiced support of the demonstrations, including Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti." Brittany Bernstein, NRO, 7/7
RESHAPING HISTORY
"Slavery is a dreadful part of our history. Despite what progressives say, the abolition of slavery occurred because of, not in spite of, our history and foundation. A nation that was formed with liberty as the chief objective of government was on the right path. The 19th century improved what the 18th century got horribly wrong, and the 20th century continued to build upon the 19th century’s advancements. With each century that passes, we move toward a more perfect union. That is progress.
"From its founding, our nation’s history is the story of individual freedom and personal responsibility, with limited government as a means for accomplishing both. Our Constitution simultaneously protects individual liberty and thwarts the progressive agenda. Progressives are constantly frustrated in their attempts to remake America into a socialist and godless society because of our Constitution. Is it any wonder that they devote so much of their energy to undermining, subverting, and circumventing the Constitution?
"Progressives know that what can be erased can be replaced. Knocking down statues and removing names of institutions are the necessary first step in reshaping America’s future.
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For Americans hoping to stop the progressives’ destruction, Princeton provides the answer. No, not the Princeton of 2020 with its disappointing decision to abandon Woodrow Wilson’s name, but the Princeton of 2016 that recognized the importance of being truthful about our history.
"In our fight against the progressive agenda, our history is not only what we seek to protect — it is also our primary weapon." Ken Buck, NRO, 7/7
