The United States of America #381
By Hank Silverberg
Commentary
The White House reaction? Before the huge protests in dozens of cities and towns across the country, there was a claim from the White House that the protestors "hate America". As the protests were happening, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Newsweek, "the only people who care about this Trump Derangement Therapy Session are the reporters who are paid to cover them."
She couldn't be more wrong.
So let's take a closer look. What is America?
America, from its very beginning, was a place where diversity was common. White Europeans take all the credit, but Colonial America was populated with people from all over the world, including thousands who lived here before Columbus, and thousands more who were imported here against their will.
The millions of people who immigrated in the 19th and 20th century came here for freedom and opportunity, and although they didn't always find either, their children and grandchildren usually did. And each contributed their own labor and voice as the country grew in prestige and power. Diversity IS America.
What are basic American values? Hard work? Sure.
Chinese and Irish immigrants built the transcontinental railroad in the 19th century. Jewish immigrants had major impacts on science, the law and the entertainment industry in the 20th century. Mexican and South American immigrants worked in farming and construction for much of the 20th century, and still do. Find any ethnic group you want and you find basically the same thing. Hard work by a majority of those who came here.
Much of America's values are found in the most significant document in the history of the world, The Constitution of the United States.
(Note: some might say the Bible would be the "most significant document," but without the U.S. Constitution and the 1st Amendment, there would be no guarantee you could read the Bible.)
Among those American values, a unique concept for its time, is that leaders rule with CONSENT of the governed, not by royal or authoritarian fiat.
That American value also produced the Bill of Rights, added to the Constitution to ensure this principal.
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
Religious freedom is an American value. You have the right to worship OR NOT WORSHIP the way you please without anyone preventing you from doing so. That's a core American value.
But go further into that amendment:
Freedom of the Press. The government does NOT have the right to censor any news organization, yet this past week the Pentagon announced it was kicking the media out of the building and into a nearby annex which will do just that: censor what you learn about our military. That is NOT an American value.
And the final part of that amendment: We saw that this past weekend with about nine million people in 3,300 cities and towns in all 50 states across the country, people assembled to peaceably petition the government for a redress of grievances.
From the Boston Tea Party to the Civil Rights movement and the anti-war protests of the 60's and 70's, to "No Kings", American values include protests.
The claim that these people hate The United States of America is ludicrous, and a perfect example of the disconnect between the current administration in the White House and the American public.
News You May Have Missed!
Strange Bedfellows
If there is one clear fact on the current war with Iran, it is that unmanned drones and missiles are now solidly part of conventional warfare, and shooting them down before they hit the ground is now a major defensive challenge. In addition to rockets and drones which are hard to target, Iran used several ballistic missiles with internal guidance systems in attacks on Israel.
With that in mind, there is word this week from North Korea that leader Kim Jong Un has observed a test of an upgraded solid-fuel missile engine that is capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.
North Korea has sold some ballistic missiles to Iran in the past and has shown a willingness to export its technology.
North Korea has been sending munitions to Russia in its war with Ukraine, including artillery and rocket launchers as well as 16,000 troops. And it has sold some ballistic missiles to Iran in the past.
Birthright!!
A major case is coming before the U.S. Supreme Court this week. The justices will hear an argument
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Since then, the law has said that anyone born in the United States is a U.S. citizen. The only exceptions were children of foreign diplomats or children of someone from an invading army.
The Trump Administration is arguing that provision claiming the amendment was specifically designed to give citizenship to former slaves and their children, and no one else. They will argue in court that the children of illegal immigrants who are not considered permanent residents of the United States and who may eventually return to another country are not entitled to citizenship.
A ruling in favor of the administration could change the very nature of citizenship in this country, and affect MILLIONS of people. An average of 255,000 babies are born each year to undocumented mothers. The arguments are set for April 1st. A decision in the case is expected in June or early July.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/key-arguments-birthright-citizenship-case-133000946.html
Quote Of The Week!
Two quotes this week from Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist, Bill Gates are worrisome.
He was speaking about the future of Artificial Intelligence.
"Of all the things humans have ever created, AI will change society the most."
Think about that one for a minute, and then add this second quote from Gates:
"There is no upper limit on how intelligent AIs will get or on how good robots will get, and I believe the advances will not plateau before exceeding human levels."
And we worry about things like President Trump's latest lies about getting "Sharpies" for free from the manufacturer?
(Note: this blog was written by a human being with no assistance from an AI.)
(Your suggestions and comments are welcome)
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